For the past month, the Washington Commanders have been riding a wave of thrilling victories, showcasing their resilience and tenacity. They made history by becoming the first team since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to secure four consecutive wins, all thanks to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has spun magic week after week. Their next challenge is a showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC Championship, following a dominant victory over the Detroit Lions.
A significant factor in this success was the Commanders’ defense, which generated five turnovers while the offense maintained a flawless ball security against the Lions. Coach Dan Quinn emphasized the importance of the turnover margin, stating, “The turnover margin was the biggest one for us. The guys were really prepared and really ready.” Rookie Mike Sainristil, selected in the second round just after Daniels, made a memorable impact with two interceptions. Additionally, safety Quan Martin scored a 40-yard touchdown following his interception of Jared Goff, contributing to the team’s impressive 45-31 win on Saturday night.
Sainristil praised his teammates, stating, “Shout out to the guys on the team. They all balled out. The defense did what we had to do. We asked for two turnovers and ended the game with five. The offense was rolling, and special teams were rolling. When we play as a unit like that, a team that’s clicking on all cylinders, you can produce like we did.” The Commanders, along with the Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs, advanced in the playoffs without committing any turnovers, while their opponents managed a total of 10. Washington’s turnover differential during the regular season was plus-1, and they will need a similar performance against the Eagles, where they enter as 5.5-point underdogs according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
One noticeable strength for the Commanders is their revitalized ground game. Not only is Daniels excelling, but running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combined for an impressive 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In their prior five games, the rushing average was a mere 2.24 yards per carry—a stark contrast to their recent performance. “The O-line did a phenomenal job of staying on blocks and getting off the double teams,” Daniels noted. “It was an all-around good game for the offense and the team. But we’ve got more to accomplish out there, and we’ve got to improve next week.”
However, concerns linger regarding the run defense after Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns against them. With Saquon Barkley coming off an outstanding 205-yard game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Commanders will face a tough challenge. Linebacker Frankie Luvu shared insights on improving their defensive play, indicating a need to focus: “It’s real simple. We just got to do our job. Nobody’s got to do extra. Nobody’s got to do above their job.”
Among the rising stars on the team, Martin shone brightly with his impactful performance and an interception return for a touchdown. He backed up his earlier statement about the quality of the Commanders’ roster by saying, “I think they got a great team, some great players, but so do we.” Alongside his pick-six, Martin also recorded three tackles and added a pass breakup to his performance.
Conversely, skeptics of the Commanders’ playoff possibilities faced a rude awakening after Saturday’s game. Initially viewed as heavy underdogs with 66-1 odds to make it to the Super Bowl, their current odds have shifted, now standing at 2-1 on BetMGM Sportsbook. Earlier in the season, they were long shots at 150-1 to win it all, which has now improved markedly to 7-1.
Injury issues are also a concern, particularly the torn ACL suffered by starting right guard Sam Cosmi, which will force him to miss the remainder of the playoffs. Trent Scott stepped up to fill the gap, playing the last 46 offensive snaps. Daniels praised Scott’s contributions: “Trent did his job. That’s a credit to the O-line room and our offensive line coach for having everyone prepared.”
A significant historical note for the Commanders is that it has been 33 years since they last reached the NFC Championship game, which ultimately led to their third and latest Super Bowl title. Only five current players were even alive during that time, underscoring the long drought experienced by the franchise.
Looking ahead, the Commanders prepare for their third matchup against the Eagles since mid-November, anticipating a heated atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field. Earlier encounters included a close loss on November 14, where Washington relinquished a 10-3 lead, followed by a comeback victory at home on December 22. In that game, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion, and the Commanders capitalized, with Daniels throwing five touchdown passes. The upcoming game promises to be an electrifying test for both teams.
