Week 15 couldn’t have unfolded much better for the Philadelphia Eagles. After dropping three straight and raising some real concerns about their trajectory, Philly came out swinging and left no doubt in a dominant 31-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
The defense was lights out, pitching a shutout, while Jalen Hurts looked like the MVP-caliber quarterback fans have come to expect. That win didn’t just stop the bleeding - it put the Eagles right back in control of the NFC East.
And then came Sunday night.
The Dallas Cowboys, already reeling from inconsistencies, ran into a buzzsaw in the form of J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings.
The result? A 34-26 loss that exposed Dallas’ defensive vulnerabilities and cracked the door wide open for Philadelphia to slam it shut on their rival’s playoff hopes.
Eagles Can Clinch NFC East - and End Dallas’ Season - in Week 16
Now, the Eagles are staring down a golden opportunity. In Week 16, they’ll face the Washington Commanders - the first of two matchups against them in the final three weeks of the season. If Philly takes care of business on Saturday, they won’t just move one step closer to securing the division; they’ll officially eliminate the Cowboys from playoff contention before Dallas even takes the field.
That’s not just a win - that’s a statement.
For Eagles fans, watching Dallas fall flat in primetime is already satisfying. But getting the chance to be the team that ends their season?
That’s the kind of poetic justice that defines rivalries. And given how both teams are trending, it’s hard not to like Philly’s chances.
Commanders Are Reeling, Eagles Are Rolling
Washington, to put it bluntly, looks like a team already turning the page to 2026. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has struggled to stay on the field, and the defense - once the backbone of this squad - has regressed significantly.
There’s no sign of the team that made a surprise run last year. Motivation is low, the roster is banged up, and the Eagles have every reason to come in sharp and focused.
History favors Philly, too. The Eagles are 14-3 in their last 17 meetings with the Commanders, including a 32-point blowout in last season’s NFC Championship Game. That kind of dominance doesn’t happen by accident - it speaks to the gap in talent, execution, and coaching between these two teams.
And while there are no guarantees in the NFL, the contrast in urgency is stark. The Eagles are playing for playoff positioning, momentum, and a chance to bury their biggest rival.
Washington, on the other hand, is playing out the string. That’s a dangerous place to be when you're facing a team with Philly’s firepower.
A Tune-Up with High Stakes
This game isn’t just about eliminating Dallas - though that’s certainly part of the appeal. It’s also a chance for the Eagles to fine-tune things before the postseason.
After a rocky few weeks, they looked like themselves again against the Raiders. Another strong performance against Washington would reinforce that they’re peaking at the right time.
If the Eagles handle business, they’ll not only tighten their grip on the NFC East but also send a clear message to the rest of the conference: don’t count them out. This is still a team built for January - and maybe February.
For Philly fans, the equation is simple: a win over Washington locks in a playoff berth, buries the Cowboys, and sets the tone for a postseason run. And if Week 15 was any indication, the Eagles are ready to soar again - just as their rivals are falling out of the sky.