The Philadelphia Eagles are getting a bit of a break in their late-season schedule - at least on paper. When they face the Washington Commanders in two of their final three games of the 2025 regular season, they won’t be seeing rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels under center.
Washington, officially eliminated from playoff contention, is shutting Daniels down for the remainder of the season. That means Marcus Mariota, the former Eagles backup, will take over as the Commanders' starting quarterback down the stretch.
From Washington’s perspective, this is a calculated - and frankly, wise - decision. Daniels has dealt with multiple injuries this season, and his return in Week 14 raised eyebrows, especially after he took more hits in a game that had no real postseason implications.
With the franchise’s long-term investment in Daniels, risking another injury in meaningless December football just doesn’t make sense. A setback now could easily bleed into 2026, and that’s a scenario the Commanders can’t afford.
Enter Mariota. While he’s not the electric dual-threat playmaker Daniels has shown flashes of becoming, Mariota brings veteran experience and a steady hand - at least in theory.
And to be fair, he’s had some moments this season. Two of his wins have come against the Las Vegas Raiders and the New York Giants - both currently projected to pick at the top of the 2026 draft.
Those games also happen to be among his best statistical outings this year in terms of passer rating.
That said, the Eagles’ defense, led by Vic Fangio, is a different animal. Division games can always get weird - especially in the NFC East - but Mariota has struggled with ball security all season.
With seven interceptions and three lost fumbles, he’s averaging a turnover per game. Against a defense that thrives on opportunistic plays and disguising coverages, that’s a red flag.
For the Eagles, this quarterback change doesn’t just shift the on-field dynamics - it’s already nudging the betting line. Philadelphia opened as a 5.5-point road favorite, but with Daniels out and Mariota in, that line has moved to 6.5 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
In short, the Eagles are catching Washington at a time when the Commanders are clearly looking toward the future. But that doesn’t mean Philly can afford to take their foot off the gas. Fangio’s unit will need to stay disciplined, and the offense will have to handle its business against a team that, while out of the playoff picture, would love nothing more than to play spoiler in a rivalry game.
Still, with Mariota under center and Daniels on the sideline, the Eagles’ path to wrapping up the regular season with momentum just got a little clearer.