Category: Latest Washington News

Quick facts from Commanders’ NFC Championship loss

Several quick facts/numbers from NFC championship.

The Commanders’ dream season reached a bitter conclusion Sunday as Washington was beaten badly by the Eagles 55-23 in this season’s NFC Championship game played in Philadelphia.

Here are some of the quick facts from the Commanders’ season-ending loss to the Eagles:

  • Four times, the Commanders turned over the ball. The Eagles seized the opportunity every time, turning it into a Philadelphia touchdown.
  • The Commanders surrendered over 200 yards rushing to the Eagles in both regular season meetings. In this NFC Championship game, they gave up another 229 rushing yards.
  • The Eagles’ 55 points is the most in history in an AFC/ NFC Championship game.
  • The Eagles’ seven rushing touchdowns are the most in NFC Championship game history and tied for the most in NFL playoff history.
  • The Commanders’ loss drops their NFC Championship game record to 5-2.
  • The Commanders entered the NFC Championship Game with a +6 turnover margin in two playoff victories. However, Sunday the Commanders were a -4 in a lopsided loss.
  • Washington ran 18 plays on their first possession, resulting in a field goal. The Eagles then responded with a touchdown in only 18 seconds.
  • The Eagles ran 66 offensive plays and averaged 7.0 yards a play, accumulating 459 total yards.
  • As expected, the Eagles’ interior lines controlled both sides of the ball, out-rushing the Commanders 229-99 while averaging 6.4 yards, a rushing attempt to Washington’s 4.0.
  • Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was quite effective, completing 20 of 28 passing attempts for 246 yards, a passing touchdown, and no interceptions.
  • Saquon Barkley accumulated 118 rushing yards on only 15 carries, and Will Shipley 77 on only four carries.
  • The Eagles led 34-23 before outscoring the Commanders 21-0 in the final quarter.
  • Though he did not make the Super Bowl, quarterback Jayden Daniels has now thrown for the most postseason passing yards by a rookie in NFL history.
  • WR Terry McLaurin became the sixth player in franchise history to record 3-plus receiving touchdowns in the postseason, joining Art Monk, Gary Clark, Alvin Garrett, Charlie Brown and Roy Jefferson.
  • Zach Ertz caught 11 passes for 104 yards. The 11 receptions is a new franchise record for a playoff game, passing Art Monk (10) in 1990.

Commanders turn over NFC championship to Eagles

Turnovers plagued the Commanders in NFC championship loss to Eagles.

The Washington Commanders played giveaway Sunday and were blown out by the Eagles 55-23 in the NFC championship game.

Not wanting to be overly simplistic, it is true that early in the final quarter, the Commanders fumbled three times, all of which resulted in Eagles touchdowns.

Then, because they were down by three scores, Dan Quinn chose to go for a fourth and long, and Jayden Daniels was sacked on the 30-yard line. Needing only 30 yards, this turnover (on downs) led to another Eagles touchdown.

If that was not enough, when Jayden Daniels threw an interception in the end zone late in the game, the Eagles then drove 70 yards for yet another touchdown after the final turnover.

Dyami Brown fumbled in the first quarter, having caught a first-down reception for 6 yards. The Eagles leading 7-3, converted Brown’s fumble into a 14-3 lead.

The turning point of the game (if there was a single turning point) came with the Commanders trailing 20-12 late in the second quarter. Jeremy McNichols fumbled his kickoff return and the Eagles with a short field suddenly led 27-12.

Though Washington turned the ball over four times, Sunday, it should not be overlooked that it was the Eagles defense that was forcing these turnovers.

In addition, the Eagles, recipients of each turnover, then pounced on the Commanders’ defense, seizing each opportunity. Four Washington turnovers actually did result in four Eagles touchdowns.

Suddenly the dream season comes to an end. Finishing 4-13 in 2023 became 12-5 in 2024, two playoff wins, a trip to the NFC Championship game.

But today, the Eagles proved to be the much better team, the deserving team, heading to the Super Bowl.

Commanders lose to Eagles 55-23, here’s how X reacted

The Washington Commanders lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 55-23 in the NFC Championship game, and this is how social media reacted.

The Washington Commanders ended their 2024 season with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. They have nothing to hang their heads over, though, as not a single person outside the Washington organization thought they would make it this far in a million years.

After going 4-13 in 2023, the Commanders brought in Dan Quinn and drafted Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The two of them combined to get the entire locker room on the same page, buying into Quinn’s scheme and strategy, and the outcome was astounding.

Not only did the Commanders make it to the NFC Championship for the first time in over 30 years, but they far exceeded the expectations they set for themselves. It was a glorious season, in all, and despite losing to the Eagles to end the year, the Commanders have so much to look forward to.

Still, fans are fans, and it wouldn’t be the end of the season without some social media reactions. Here’s the best of X for the NFC Championship:

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Commanders announce their NFC Championship game inactives

Daron Payne heads Washington’s list of inactives.

As expected Sam Cosmi and Daron Payne are inactive today for the NFC Championship game against the Eagles.

The game marks the first time the Commanders and Eagles have met in a NFC playoff game since the 1990 season. That game was also played in Philadelphia, yet Washington went into Veterans’ Stadium and spanked the Eagles 20-6.

Here are the seven Washington Commanders inactives today:

  1. WR K.J. Osborn: Washington has only made him active for one game since claiming Osborn.
  2. QB Jeff Driskel: As usual, Driskel will serve as the Emergency 3rd QB
  3. CB Michael Davis: This marks the third consecutive time Davis has been a healthy scratch.
  4. RB Chris Rodriguez: Again, the Commanders choose to go with Jeremy McNichols over Rodriguez.
  5. LB Dominique Hampton: Hampton was inactive every regular season game, the only exception being the final game at Dallas when Hampton was indeed active.
  6. RG Sam Cosmi: Cosmi tore up a knee in the red zone last week in Detroit. It is an ACL tear, so he is done and unavailable for the Super Bowl in two weeks.
  7. DT Daron Payne: Payne has a bad finger from the Bucs game. In addition, he aggravated a knee. So, perhaps the rest will do him well,l and he will be available for the Super Bowl in two weeks.

London Fletcher reveals which NFL legends have written letters to support his Hall of Fame bid

London Fletcher named several NFL legends who’ve pushed for his induction into the Hall of Fame.

Former Washington linebacker London Fletcher belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We’ve listed his accolades on this site many times and explained why his induction should be a no-brainer.

In 16 NFL seasons, Fletcher played in 256 games and recorded 2,039 tackles, 39 sacks, 109 tackles for loss, 19 forced fumbles, 23 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries and three touchdowns. He appeared in four Pro Bowls [all with Washington], was a two-time second-team All-Pro, is in Washington’s Ring of Fame, and is also one of the franchise’s 90 greatest players.

Of his 16 NFL seasons, Fletcher spent the first four years of his career with the Rams, followed by five seasons in Buffalo, before finishing seven productive seasons in Washington.

Currently, Fletcher is a part of the Commanders’ exciting radio broadcast team with partner Bram Weinstein.

Ahead of Sunday’s NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Fletcher joined “Up & Adams” with Kay Adams, discussing his disappointment with the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Fletcher said. He then explained how some hire publicists and use other methods to increase their chances of making it into the Hall of Fame, but he chooses let his numbers speak for him.

It’s not only the numbers speaking for him, as Fletcher revealed some NFL legends, including Tom Brady, have went to bat for him.

“I have had letters written by Tom Brady to……it’s some heavy hitters….Curtis Martin, bunch of Hall of Famers, Tony Gonzalez, on my behalf that have competed against me and know what it was like. Shady (LeSean) McCoy just recently said I was the best linebacker he ever played against and he played against some great ones……..I don’t know what else I need to do.

The good news for Fletcher is he has Washington’s leadership on his side. The new ownership group will go far above what previous leadership did for retired players. Additionally, the Commanders’ recent success, which should not matter, could boost Fletcher’s case. The selection process for the Hall of Fame has needed revamping for some time

Joe Gibbs actually rescued the Commanders again

Joe Gibbs again proves why he’s the most important and beloved figure in Washington history.

As if Joe Gibbs hadn’t done enough for Washington’s NFL franchise, Gibbs again stepped up and came to the rescue.

In July 2023, former owner Daniel Snyder couldn’t go out in style and be gracious. He couldn’t bring himself to it. According to an ESPN report by Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr, Snyder actually put up a fight at the end.

The sale was announced as final to the Josh Harris ownership group of approximately 20 owners. When the NFL announced they were fining Snyder $60 million, the price dropped just below the $6 billion insisted upon by Snyder.

Consequently, Snyder “threatened to kill the deal by refusing to share his bank information, preventing Harris from wiring him the money. At 1 a.m. on July 21, Snyder and his wife were fielding phone calls from various executives and confidants, urging him to do what he’d pledged and let go of the team.”

Snyder, in addition, refused to hand over the stadium keys, knowing there would be a rally for the Harris group purchasing the team.

When Snyder took over in 1999, GM Charley Casserly suddenly resigned. Norv Turner was fired before the 2000 season concluded. Marty Schottenheimer lasted only the 2001 season. A frustrated Steve Spurrier, knowing he had a couple more years to collect on his contract, resigned anyway, later saying Snyder had never come through with a general manager as he had promised.

To the rescue came Joe Jackson Gibbs. Gibbs said his wife Pat had even told him that going back to the Redskins, he was going to ruin his good name. But Gibbs returned anyway and led the team to two playoff seasons, including a playoff win in the 2005 season, the last until this 2024  season.

So, too, in July 2023, it was again Joe Gibbs willing to get involved and talk to Daniel Snyder, hoping to get Snyder to see the big picture. In typical Gibbs fashion, he is said to have asked Snyder to think about what would be loving the team and the fan base.

Has there ever been an NFL head coach who spoke so well of his team’s fan base than Coach Joe? His entire time in both terms (1981-92 and 2004-07), Joe Gibbs praised the fan base, saying they were the best in the NFL.

How seriously was Snyder digging in? How long was he willing to hold out in July 2023?

Months later, Tad Brown, CEO of HBSE, told confidants, “We don’t get the Commanders if not for Joe Gibbs.”

Not only did Coach Joe bring the DMV 5 NFC Championship games, 4 NFC Championships, four Super Bowls, and three Super Bowl Championships, but he directly helped bring the Commanders to the Josh Harris ownership group.

Is perhaps the greatest Redskin and Commander of all actually Joe Jackson Gibbs?

Commanders will miss Daron Payne vs Eagles

An already struggling run defense will miss Daron Payne.

It’s easy to look at Washington’s run defense rankings and say the Commanders have issues at defensive tackle. Washington finished the regular season ranked No. 30 in run defense. In two playoff games, the Commanders have allowed 302 rushing yards and face the NFL’s second-ranked rushing offense — the Philadelphia Eagles — in the NFC championship game.

And Washington will do so without defensive tackle Daron Payne. Listed as questionable on the injury report all week with a broken finger and a knee injury, the Commanders officially ruled Payne out on Saturday to make a roster move for more depth.

Washington will rely on Jonathan Allen, rookie Jer’Zhan Newton, Sheldon Day, Jalyn Holmes and Carl Davis to stop MVP candidate Saquon Barkley. In two games this season, Barkley rushed for a combined 296 yards and four touchdowns — with Payne.

Fans look at Payne’s salary cap figure and say he doesn’t do enough to justify his pay. In terms of pure statistics, it’s a fair argument. Payne’s best year came in 2022 — a contract year — earning him a four-year contract worth $90 million.

On Saturday, Bill Barnwell of ESPN produced a statistic proving Payne’s value to the Commanders’ run defense.

Something worth pointing out is that Allen missed nine games with a torn pec this season, so those numbers are somewhat skewed. Allen and Newton will start, while Day, Davis, and Holmes will see plenty of action. Day and Holmes have been pleasant surprises for Washington this season. Both veterans were added to the 53-man roster in October.

So, while Payne’s pass-rushing numbers may be down, he still produces against the run. Payne was a first-round pick in 2018, and Sunday’s game will be just the second he’s ever missed.

Sunday’s game is an “all-hands-on-deck” situation. Washington will miss Payne.

Looking back at the only time the Commanders and Eagles met in the playoffs

Looking back at the one time Washington and Philadelphia met in the playoffs.

Being in the NFC East, both Washington and Philadelphia have only met once in NFL playoff history despite a 90-year history of playing one another.

It was the 1990 season. The Redskins were coached by Joe Gibbs, who had played in four NFC Championship games, winning three and winning two of three Super Bowls, since Gibbs had arrived in 1981.

Buddy Ryan, the defensive coordinator for the 1985 Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears, became the Eagles’ head coach in 1986.

The 1990 games were brutally physical. Washington won in RFK (13-7) and then lost 28-14 on MNF in Veterans Stadium in what Ryan called “the body bag game.”

Eagle fans loved that description and reminder of how several Redskins players were severely injured in the game. However, Gibbs and his Redskins had to live with that description for the next seven weeks.

Both teams would finish 1990 at 10-6 and were scheduled to meet on January 5, 1991, in the first round of the playoffs. The game would be played in Philadelphia.

Roger Ruzek kicked two early field goals, providing the Eagles an early 6-0 lead. But Washington would have Mark Rypien find Art Monk from 16 yards, and Chip Lohmiller’s field goal gave the Redskins a 10-6 halftime lead.

The third quarter was all Washington, as Chip Lohmiller’s field goal and Rypien’s short TD pass to Gary Clark extended the Redskins lead to 20-6.

The Eagles, who were a 4.5-point favorite, did not score again as the Redskins dominated the second half to win by that 20-6 margin. Washington’s offensive line protected Rypien, as he was never sacked. While the Redskins’ defense sacked Randall Cunningham five times, and Darrell Green intercepted him once. Cunningham had a miserable day, finishing with a passer rating of only 60.3.

The Redskins got their revenge for Ryan’s “body bag game” boast. Ryan cowardly would not face Joe Gibbs for a postgame handshake, fleeing in embarrassment.

Perhaps the icing on the cake was hearing three days later that Eagles owner Norman Braman had seen and heard enough of Buddy Ryan’s antics and fired him, having never won a playoff game for the Eagles.

 

How to watch Commanders vs Eagles today: Time, TV channel for NFC championship

It’s Commanders vs Eagles in the NFC championship. Here’s how to watch, including kickoff, channel, and betting odds.

The Washington Commanders look to keep their dream season alive on Sunday in Philadelphia against the Eagles in the NFC championship. If the Commanders can pull off the upset, they’ll be headed to the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years.

Here’s how to watch the Commanders vs. Eagles game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is Commanders vs Eagles game on today? Time, TV schedule

TV Channel: FOX

Start time: 3:00 p.m. ET

Commanders vs. Eagles will broadcast nationally on Fox. Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will call the game from the booth at Ford Field, with Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi reporting from the sidelines.

Where to watch Commanders vs Eagles on livestream

Streaming options for the game include Fubo if you live in the local market of the teams.

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Commanders vs Eagles predictions, picks, odds

Eagles 30, Commanders 23

The Commanders’ run defense has been atrocious, which will be a major disadvantage Sunday. In both regular-season games between the NFC East rivals, Washington allowed more than 200 rushing yards.

The Eagles ran for 228 yards in a 26-18 home win in Week 11 as Barkley ran for 146 with 2 TDs. In Week 16, Philly finished with 211 rushing yards with Barkley rushing for 150 with 2 TDs, but Washington won 36-33 thanks to Daniels’ 5 TD passes, including a 9-yard TD to WR Jamison Crowder with 6 seconds left for a come-from-behind victory.

Washington ranked 30th among the 32 NFL teams in opponents rushing yards per game (137.5) during the regular season. Slowing down the dynamic Eagles’ attack will be difficult, especially considering the Commanders have allowed 51 points through 2 playoff games.

Philadelphia has allowed 13 or fewer points in 3 of its last 4 games and has a defense capable of slowing down Daniels and Co. The Eagles covered in 4 of their last 6 as well. Plus, in Philly’s Week 11 win at home vs. Washington, the Eagles covered as 4.5-point favorites, winning by 8 and giving up just 18 points. – Nathan Beighle, Sportsbook Wire

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions

ODDS: Eagles by 6

O/U: 47.5

All NFL Odds via BetMGM.

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Commanders schedule 2024

  • Week 1: at Tampa Bay (L, 37-20)
  • Week 2: vs. New York Giants (W, 21-18)
  • Week 3: at Cincinnati (W, 38-33)
  • Week 4: at Arizona (W, 42-14)
  • Week 5: vs. Cleveland (W, 34-13)
  • Week 6: at Baltimore (L, 30-23)
  • Week 7: vs. Carolina (W, 40-7)
  • Week 8: vs. Chicago (W, 18-15
  • Week 9: at New York Giants (W, 27-22)
  • Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh (L, 28-27)
  • Week 11: at Philadelphia (L, 26-18)
  • Week 12: vs. Dallas (L, 34-26)
  • Week 13: vs. Tennessee (W, 42-19)
  • Week 14: BYE
  • Week 15: at New Orleans (W, 20-19)
  • Week 16: vs. Philadelphia (W, 36-33)
  • Week 17: vs. Atlanta (W, 30-24)
  • Week 18: at Dallas (W, 23-19)
  • NFC wild card: at Tampa Bay (W, 23-20)
  • NFC divisional round: at Detroit (W, 45-31
  • NFC championship: at Philadelphia
  • Record: 14-5

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One of the Commanders’ owners spends time with fans ahead of NFC championship

Washington fans were fired up on Saturday night and one of the Commanders’ owners dropped by for a visit.

On the same day we learned of former owner Dan Snyder’s misery regarding the Washington Commanders’ recent success, one of the new owners spent part of his evening with fans ahead of Sunday’s NFC championship game.

Washington fans held a meet-up and rally Saturday evening at the Hard Rock Cafe in Philadelphia. The place was packed with Commanders’ fans, and JP Finlay of 106.7 The Fan and NBC 4 Washington hosted an episode of his “All Ears” podcast.

Finlay had plenty of guests, including one of owner Josh Harris’ partners, Mitchell Rales. Rales, who, like Harris, grew up in the Washington, D.C. area as a fan of the Redskins and went to games as a kid. He’s a big-time fan. And before he attended an owner’s dinner on Saturday night, Rales visited the Hard Rock Cafe, where he spoke with Finlay, mingled with fans, and took pictures.

What’s the irony that on the same day we heard about Snyder’s new life, we see one of the Commanders’ owners out spending time with fans, something Snyder would’ve never done.

Washington’s broadcast team, legendary linebacker London Fletcher and Bram Weinstein, along with Regina Jackson, the mother of star rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, joined Rales.

For years, the Commanders were known as a sleeping giant. If only Snyder sold the team and they started winning consistently, the fans would return. It’s happened — and much sooner than expected.

On Sunday, if the Commanders can upset the Eagles, they’ll head to their first Super Bowl in 33 years.