RECAP: Eagles vs. Commanders NFC Championship updates

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 26: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a 4 yard touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025 in
PHILADELPHIA - The Eagles will host the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon in South Philadelphia with a trip to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on the line.
The Eagles and Commanders have squared off twice already this season and have had split results.
You can watch the game on FOX 29 and find full postgame coverage on FOX 29 and FOX LOCAL.
First Quarter
Commanders' opening drive:
The Commanders got the ball first and were able to score three 3 points on their opening drive, working their way down the field methodically.
The Eagles were able to force the Commanders to a 4th and 5, but Commanders Coach Dan Quinn came out aggressive and was able to convert when quarterback Jayden Daniels found tight end Zach Ertz to convert the first down and keep the drive alive.
Daniels then scrambled for 5 yards to convert on a 4th and 2.
The 18-play drive took nearly 7 minutes off the clock before the Commanders opted not to go for it on 4th down for a third time and instead converted on a 34-yard field goal.
Eagles' opening drive:
The Eagles responded quickly, with a Will Shipley kick return to their own 40 yard line for their first drive. One their first play from scrimmage, Saquon Barkley took a pitch in for a 60-yard touchdown.
Eagles capitalize on turnover:
On the ensuing Commanders drive, linebacker Zach Baun was able to force a Dyami Brown fumble that gave them the ball back in Washington territory.
The Eagles took over on the Commanders 48 yard line and took just six plays, including a 20-yard dime to DeVonta Smith, to put 7 more points on the board following a 4-yard Barkley touchdown run.
Commanders fake punt:
The Eagles defense appeared to have stalled the Commanders offense again, seemingly forcing a three and out. The Commanders lined up to punt, but instead faked a punt and punter Tress Way completed a pass to tight end Ben Sinnot to convert the first down.
Second Quarter
Ultimately, the Commanders were forced to have Zane Gonzalez kick a 46 yard field goal, bribing the score to 14-6 early in the second quarter.
Eagles come up empty:
The Eagles first drive of the second quarter lasted nearly 6 minutes between a total of 14 plays. However, kicker Jake Elliot missed a 54-yard field goal after the drive stalled just shy of the red zone.
Commanders add 6:
The Commanders got the ball back near midfield after the missed field goal. Jayden Daniels dropped a short pass over the middle to wide receiver Terry McLaurin who took it 36 yards to the end zone. The Commanders attempted a two point conversion, which would have tied the score at 14, but failed, allowing the Eagles to maintain a 14-12 lead.
Eagles extend lead:
The Eagles put together a methodical scoring drive of their own with a 15-play drive that included a 4th down deep shot to AJ Brown for 31 yards. The Eagles were then facing 3rd & 13 from the Washington 17 yard line when Commanders Cornerback Marshon Lattimore was flagged for defensive pass interference in the end zone.
The Eagles got the ball at the 1 yard line following the penalty, and ran their patented ‘tush push’ for a Jalen Hurts touchdown. A penalty on the touchdown play gave the Eagles a chance at a two-point conversion from the 1 yard line again, but this time the tush push was unsuccessful, but the Eagles held a 20-12 lead.
Commanders fumble kickoff:
On the ensuing kickoff, Eagles running back Will Shipley delivered a hit on Washington's returner and forced the second Commanders fumble of the game. The Eagles recover and took over with 1:36 to go in the hall on the Commanders 24.
The Eagles made the most of that turnover as Jalen Hurts found AJ Brown for a 4-yard touchdown pass to make the score 27-12.
Commanders close the half:
The Commanders got the ball back with about 40 seconds left before halftime, and decided to make the most of it. They took advantage of a 19-yard Daniels scramble and 11-yard Zach Ertz reception to get into field goal range. Zane Gonzalez converted a 42-yard field goal attempt to send it to the half with the Eagles leading 27-15.
Third Quarter
Both teams start slow:
The Eagles got the ball back to start the second half, and also got back starting Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens, who had been held out with a back injury. He replaced Landon Dickerson, who had started in his place but appeared to have suffered a knee injury in the first half. Dickerson was listed as questionable to return.
The Eagles gave up back-to-back sacks on first and second down, forcing a 3rd and 19. A pass to Dallas Goedert got the Eagles back to their original line of scrimmage and forced them to punt.
The Commanders were also forced to punt on their first possession of the second half thanks in large part to a sack by Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis.
Eagles extend lead:
The Eagles started their next drive at their own 42 and took just 5 plays to go 58 yards, capping the drive with a Jalen Hurts scramble for a touchdown. Hurts was able to complete a 16 yard pass to AJ Brown, and two passes totaling 35 yards to tight end Dallas Goedert to set them up for the score.
Commanders respond:
The Commanders responded quickly with an 8-play drive capped off by a Jayden Daniels run up the middle for a 10-yard touchdown. The Commanders then covered on a two-point conversion to make it a two-score game at 34-23.
Eagles force another fumble:
The Eagles were forced to punt and give the ball back to Washington following the Commanders touchdown. 5 plays into the Commanders next drive, linebacker Oren Burks punched the ball out of Commanders running back Austin Ekeler's grasp. Zach Baun was able to recover and give the ball back to the Eagles at midfield.
Fourth Quarter
Following the turnover, it took some time due to penalties, but the Eagles were finally able to punch home another tush push touchdown after several Commanders penalties along the goal line.
From there, the Eagles continued working to seal their victory with another Barkley touchdown, a touchdown from backup running back Will Shipley, and an interception by Quinyon Mitchell.