The Eagles head to Washington this weekend with a shot to clinch the NFC East for the second straight year. Sitting at 9-5, Philly is looking to keep the momentum rolling after a dominant win over the Raiders, and they’ll face a 4-10 Commanders team that’s had a rough go on both sides of the ball. But division games are never easy, especially on the road, and there are plenty of matchups worth watching in this one.
Saquon Barkley vs. a Struggling Run Defense
Last week, the Eagles didn’t find much open grass against a Raiders defense that sold out to stop the run. Las Vegas stacked the box on over half their snaps - 57.4% to be exact - which is the highest rate in the league.
Even with that, the Eagles stuck with the ground game and churned out 183 rushing yards. Saquon Barkley led the charge with 22 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown, while Tank Bigsby added 57 yards on 17 carries.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective.
Now, Barkley gets a much softer matchup. Washington’s run defense ranks 28th in the league, allowing 136.3 yards per game, and they’re giving up 4.7 yards per carry - 27th-best.
They don’t load the box often either, sitting 19th in the NFL in loaded-box percentage at just 21.1%. That’s a big drop-off from what the Eagles saw last week.
Add in the fact that Washington is giving up nearly two yards before contact per attempt (1.88, 29th in the league), and this feels like a game tailor-made for Barkley to take over.
Jalen Hurts vs. Dan Quinn’s Defense
After a rough five-turnover outing against the Chargers in Week 14, Jalen Hurts bounced back in a big way. He didn’t need to air it out much against the Raiders, but when he did, he was sharp - completing 12 of 15 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns.
He also added 39 yards on the ground. It was a reminder of what Hurts can do when he’s in rhythm and the offense is humming.
That rhythm could continue against a Commanders defense that’s had trouble stopping just about everything. They rank 26th in points allowed, 31st in yards allowed, and sit near the bottom in both pass (29th) and run defense (28th).
Even in the red zone, they’re struggling - allowing touchdowns at one of the highest rates in the league. If Hurts protects the football and continues to play within the offense, there’s no reason he can’t put together another efficient, high-impact performance.
Fred Johnson vs. Von Miller
Von Miller may not be the same game-wrecker he was in his prime, but don’t be fooled - the 36-year-old still knows how to get to the quarterback. He leads Washington with seven sacks, and three of those have come in his last four games. Miller primarily lines up on the left side of the defensive line, which means he’ll be going head-to-head with right tackle Fred Johnson.
With Lane Johnson missing his fifth straight game due to a Lisfranc sprain, Fred Johnson continues to hold down the fort. Despite battling an ankle injury of his own, Johnson is expected to play - and he’s held up well in pass protection.
But Miller is a future Hall of Famer with 136.5 career sacks (12th all-time), and even in the twilight of his career, he’s still capable of wrecking a drive in a single play. This matchup could be pivotal in keeping Hurts upright and the offense on schedule.
Vic Fangio vs. Marcus Mariota
The Commanders have shut down Jayden Daniels for the year, ending what’s been a frustrating season for their franchise quarterback. That means Marcus Mariota gets another start - and it’s a familiar face for the Eagles, who have already faced two of their former backup QBs this season in Carson Wentz and Kenny Pickett.
Mariota is 2-5 as a starter this year, but he’s coming off a solid outing against the Giants, throwing for 211 yards and a touchdown on just 10 completions, while adding 43 yards on the ground. The dual-threat element is still there, and that’s something the Eagles have struggled with at times.
Quarterbacks have gashed Philly on the ground this season. Only the Giants have allowed more rushing yards to opposing QBs, and the Eagles have already been burned by Justin Herbert (66 yards), Patrick Mahomes (66 yards), and Jaxson Dart (58 yards) in earlier matchups. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio knows the key is discipline in the pass rush.
“We have to pass rush as a unit, not as individuals,” Fangio said. “A lot of times [Mariota] will scramble up inside just as much as maybe getting outside, and you’ve got to rush as one.”
Eagles Linebackers vs. Jacory Crosky-Merritt
Jacory Crosky-Merritt has quietly been a bright spot in a tough season for Washington. He leads the team in rushing with 646 yards and five touchdowns on 143 carries, and he’s been efficient - ranking 15th in the league in rushing success rate (43.4%) and just outside the top 10 in yards after contact per attempt (3.6).
The Eagles’ run defense has been up and down. They got gashed by the Bears on Black Friday and gave up 169 yards to the Chargers - though 66 of those came from Herbert.
But last week against the Raiders, they were stout, holding Las Vegas to just 46 rushing yards - their best performance of the season. If they can bottle up Crosky-Merritt early, it’ll put more pressure on Mariota to beat them through the air.
Jaelan Phillips vs. Josh Conerly
Since joining the Eagles, Jaelan Phillips has been a difference-maker - even if the sack numbers don’t show it. He’s got just one sack in six games, but he’s been disruptive in other ways, racking up seven QB hits, three tackles for loss, and four pass breakups. This week, he could finally get home.
Phillips will line up against rookie right tackle Josh Conerly, who’s had a tough introduction to the NFL. The No. 29 overall pick has started all 14 games but leads the Commanders’ offensive line in sacks (7) and pressures allowed (37). Only seven tackles in the league have surrendered more pressures this season.
With Laremy Tunsil ruled out on the other side, Brandon Coleman will start at left tackle - meaning the Eagles’ edge rushers could have favorable matchups on both ends. Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith have also been coming on strong, so this could be a big day for Philly’s pass rush.
Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean vs. Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel
The Commanders are down a key piece in the passing game after placing Noah Brown on IR, but they still have two dangerous weapons in Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel.
McLaurin has played just seven games this season but has 26 catches for 409 yards and three touchdowns. Samuel has been more consistent, leading the team with 65 receptions for 604 yards and five scores in 13 games. He’s primarily a slot receiver, which sets up a key battle with Cooper DeJean, who’s taken over the nickel role and played well in recent weeks.
On the outside, McLaurin will see a lot of Quinyon Mitchell - and that’s a matchup to watch. Mitchell doesn’t have an interception this year, but he’s been one of the league’s stingiest corners, allowing a league-low 41.6% completion rate when targeted. He’s quietly been one of the best rookies in the league, and this will be another test against a savvy veteran wideout.
Bottom Line: The Eagles are the better team on paper, but division games rarely go according to script. With a chance to clinch the NFC East, they’ll need to stay focused and take care of business in all three phases.
If they can control the line of scrimmage, limit Mariota’s scrambling, and avoid turnovers, they should be in good shape. But don’t expect Washington to roll over - there’s still pride on the line, and the Commanders would love nothing more than to play spoiler.