The Washington Commanders have enjoyed a fairytale ride to the NFC Championship game in the first season of head coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels. Can they now overcome the Philadelphia Eagles to make it to the Super Bowl?
Best Bet
Washington making it back to the NFC Championship for the first time since 1992 is an incredible story but this is where the fairytale ends for the team that started the season at 150-1 to win the Super Bowl.
As impressive as Washington – and particularly quarterback Jayden Daniels – were defeating Detroit in the Divisional round, the story of that game was the Lions beating themselves through turnovers and being weakened by injuries, particularly on defence.
The real concern for Washington is its run defence. Detroit had to throw it once they got behind, but they managed to run for 201 yards on just 23 carries, and Philly have the best running game in the league, led by Saquon Barkley with quarterback Jalen Hurts also a big danger with his legs as well.
Unlike Detroit, they also have an excellent defence that is playing at an outstanding level, with nearly all key personnel healthy.
Washington have lost guard Sam Conti to injury, which is a bigger loss than it might appear given the quality of his play and the strength of Philly’s defensive interior.
Daniels will need to make history in order to lead the Commanders to the Super Bowl. No rookie quarterback has ever done it, with all five who made it to a Conference Championship going on to lose.
Washington are the eighth team to make it to a playoff game off the back of four consecutive road games. None of the prior seven have ever won and they are 1-5-1 against the number.
While Jalen Hurts will be disappointed at his passing performance against the Rams, he has a formidable record at home in the playoffs, winning all four games.
Same Game Multi
The Eagles have forced 33 and 44 pass attempts in both games, and I would expect Jayden Daniels to have to pass early and often here to keep up with the Eagles offence.
Jalen Hurts has had at least 34 rushing yards in six of his seven career playoff games.
Value Bet
The Eagles are by far the most talented and complete team in this game. It’s not hard to see this one getting away from Washington early.
