Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Eagles dominated every facet of the game and won the turnover battle while dominating the Commanders to advance to Super Bowl 59. Philadelphia rushed for seven touchdowns, including three scores each for Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, blowing out their NFC East rival 55-23 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

As preparations begin for the trip to New Orleans, we’re reviewing the top photos from the historic victory.

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Highlights from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Washington Commanders have a young, ascending roster, and that youth showed in the first half. Costly penalties and crucial turnovers spurred the Eagles early on, giving them a 27-15 lead in the NFC Championship game.

Saquon Barkley’s two first-half touchdowns energized the Birds, and Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown on a four-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left in the first half. We’re looking at the first-half highlights with the second half set to begin.

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It was a most frustrating first half for the Commanders

Nothing was going right for the Commanders in the first half.

The Commanders’ offense played their most frustrating half last Sunday in Dallas to begin the season finale.

They couldn’t produce any offensive movement in the first quarter. In fact, the Commanders didn’t cross midfield until six and a half minutes were remaining in the first half.

It was third & 10 from the Washington 48, and as Jayden Daniels dropped back to pass, he again felt the play would be unsuccessful as a pass, so he stepped up and ran 16 yards to the Dallas 36.

Here, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury determined that he would score on the Cowboys with some trickery, as Washington was down 6-0 and unable to execute anything well thus far.

At 6:17, Daniels took a deep snap, looked to his right, and saw Dyami Brown approaching him from the right side, where he had lined up at the snap. Daniels flipped the ball to Brown, who continued left, stepped up at the 45, and heaved a pass toward the left side of the end zone.

Kingsbury had guessed correctly; Olamide Zaccheaus was wide open eight yards behind the nearest Cowboy. The ball led Zaccheaus to the end zone, where Zaccheaus promptly dropped it.

It was a perfect illustration of the offensive coordinator planning a specific play, then running it in reps during the practice week, finding the ideal opportunity to call it during a game, and the play coming wide open; however, a player not finishing the play.

It was a microcosm of Sunday’s first half against the Cowboys. The drive ended in a Zane Gonzalez field goal, but the touchdown that put the Commanders ahead 7-6 was there for the taking, and the team simply couldn’t step up and make the play.

With Jayden Daniels attempting 12 passes, the result had been a mere 38 yards, being sacked four times for -18 yards and only three first-half points.

At least Marcus Mariota came to the rescue in the second half…

Commanders’ OC Kliff Kingsbury makes the ‘whitest mistake ever’

Kliff Kingsbury had a funny story about Olamide Zaccheaus.

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury met with the media on Thursday where he discussed his future. He was asked if he wanted to be a head coach again and if he planned to interview with interested teams during the upcoming coaching carousel.

Kingsbury acknowledged he’d eventually like to be a head coach again, but he was happy in his current role.

Kingsbury also discussed the Commanders’ amazing turnaround this season, praising players such as Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and others. He also discussed wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus’ recent surge in productivity. Over the last two games, Zaccheaus has caught 13 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns. He also had another touchdown called back due to a questionable holding penalty.

The 5-foot-8 Zaccheaus has been exactly what Washington needed with injuries to players like Noah Brown, Austin Ekeler and Dyami Brown. Kingsbury said he was “blown away” by how talented Zaccheaus was in training camp and figured it was only a matter of time before he contributed.

Yeah, it’s just his number’s being called with Noah going down,” Kingsbury said. “The opportunity has been there; he’s gotten more reps, and he’s a guy that, in training camp, I was blown away by just how talented he was inside and outside.”

Then, Kingsbury relayed a funny story about Zaccheaus’ nickname.

“I actually used to call him Oz for the first like two months of knowing him,” he said  And nobody would tell me that his name wasn’t Oz, even him. And so, one day Dyami comes up, he’s like, ‘Yo, dude he really doesn’t like Oz.’ I’m like, ‘Well, it literally says OZ.’ He’s like, ‘It’s OZ.’ So, it’s like the whitest mistake ever [laughs]. But he has forgiven me and he’s played really well, but great person, works really hard and it’s cool to see him take advantage of his chances.”

Here’s Kingsbury in video form, courtesy of Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Zaccheaus has been solid all season but has really stepped up recently when the Commanders needed him the most. Zaccheaus may have earned himself a longer tenure in Washington as another player on a one-year contract. In addition to Kingsbury, he’s also earned the trust of Daniels.

Fantasy football sleepers to play in Week 18

Here are some fantasy football sleepers to play in Week 18 of the 2024 season.

While the majority of fantasy football leagues have concluded, there are still some leagues that partake in a Week 18 championship, and we’re still here to help those who need it.

And, even though the vast majority of fantasy managers are no longer competing, we can use these sleepers for prop betting and DFS plays.

Don’t forget to check out The Huddle’s weekly PPR projections and rankings as a reference to find some potential boom games this week.

Olamide Zaccheaus with great run after catch for Commanders TD

Commanders take lead over Eagles with 21 straight points

The Washington Commanders have overcome a 21-7 deficit to take the lead in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jayden Daniels connected with Olamide Zaccheaus on a pass and the wideout did the rest on the 49-yard touchdown play.

After the PAT, the Commanders led their NFC East rivals, 28-27 with nine minutes left.

The Eagles were challenged in the game by the loss of Jalen Hurts (concussion) in the first half. Kenny Pickett replaced the Philly QB.

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 21-14 lead over the Commanders

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 21-14 lead over the Commanders

A solid backup quarterback is the most important thing to an NFL team, and Kenny Pickett finally had his moment after Jalen Hurts was forced to exit with a concussion. The former Steelers first-round pick had one ugly interception but made some big throws as Philadelphia went into the half with a 2-14 lead.

An Eagles win would give Nick Sirianni, the head coach, his second NFC East title in four years.

Here are sights and sounds from the first half.

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Where do the Eagles rank in spending at each position after first wave of free agency?

We’re looking at where the Philadelphia Eagles rank in positional spending at each position after the first wave of NFL free agency

The Eagles have retooled their roster on both sides of the football after inking DE Bryce Huff, RB Saquon Barkley, OLB Zach Baun, OL Matt Hennessy, WR DeVante Parker, S/CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson, LB Devin White, LB Oren Burks, DT PJ Mustipher, WR Parris Campbell, and CB Tyler Hall to deals during the first wave.

Philadelphia then traded for quarterback Kenny Pickett while extending Landon Dickerson and Jake Elliott. 

Philadelphia currently has about  $33,657,986 in cap space per Over The Cap, and they’re spending about $100+ million plus on both sides of the football.  The offensive line and edge rusher positions carry the most significant cap space.

Overall positional spending has changed tremendously since Jalen Hurts signed a massive five-year, $255 million contract extension last spring.

This makes him among the four highest-paid players on average in NFL history.

The Eagles will again be a Super Bowl favorite in the NFC and have one of the most talented rosters despite being 17th in average positional spending.

Thanks to Over The Cap, here’s where Philadelphia sits in positional spending on both sides of the ball ahead of the season opener.

Updated status of every Eagles free agent after first wave of free agency

We’re looking at the status of every Philadelphia Eagles free agent after the first wave of NFL free agency signings

The offseason is in full swing, particularly for the Philadelphia Eagles, who have already made several roster and coaching moves this spring. Eagles GM Howie Roseman started free agency with a bang, agreeing to deals with Saquon Barkley (RB) and Bryce Huff (DE) while retaining Josh Sweat and punter Braden Mann. Philadelphia then signed Landon Dickerson to a monster contract extension and C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a three-year deal. The Eagles have been in nonstop action so far, and we’re taking an updated look at the current status of Philadelphia’s initial group of free agents.

2024 NFL Free Agency: Updated list of Eagles players who will hit the open market

We’re taking an updated look at the Philadelphia Eagles players who are testing NFL free agency

The Eagles are set for wholesale changes after finishing the 2023 season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

The dominos are starting to fall as All-Pro center Jason Kelce and star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox have announced their retirements.

Brandon Graham, who turns 36 in April, is returning for one more final season, his 15th, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster deserving of writing his final script.

With the fans and media awaiting the start of free agency, we’re looking at an updated list of players hitting the open market.