Eagles Dominate, Commanders Grind: NFC East Picture Sharpens After Week 15
Week 15 gave us two very different wins from two NFC East squads heading in opposite directions. The Philadelphia Eagles flexed their muscle in a statement shutout over the Las Vegas Raiders, while the Washington Commanders scraped by the New York Giants in a game that felt more like a draft positioning duel than a playoff push.
Let’s start in Philly, where the Eagles reminded everyone exactly why they’re still among the NFC’s elite. This wasn’t just a win-it was a demolition.
A 31-0 blowout that saw the Eagles score nearly half as many points as the Raiders had total yards (75). That’s not a typo.
That’s domination.
Jalen Hurts was sharp, both through the air and on the ground, and the Eagles’ ground game found its rhythm early and often. But it was the defense that stole the show.
Kenny Pickett’s return to the East Coast turned into a nightmare, as Philadelphia’s front seven swarmed him from the jump. Sacks, pressure, and punishing hits defined the night, and the Raiders never had a chance to find their footing.
Meanwhile, down in D.C., the Commanders pulled out a win of their own-but it came with a very different flavor. Facing a Giants team that didn’t seem too interested in jeopardizing their shot at the No. 1 overall pick, Washington did just enough to get the job done. It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win, and for a team still figuring out its future, that’s all that matters right now.
Jaxson Dart took another loss on the chin for New York, while the Commanders leaned on a mix of youth and grit to grind out the W. It’s not going to turn their season around, but it might help shape what comes next.
Now, as we look ahead to Week 16, the stakes are clear-especially for the Eagles. A win locks up the NFC East and makes them the first team to repeat as division champs since 2004.
That alone is motivation enough. But this matchup against Washington also serves as the final tune-up before a heavyweight clash with the Buffalo Bills in Week 17.
So while the Commanders may be looking toward April, the Eagles have their eyes firmly on January.
The last time these two teams met, Philadelphia lit up the scoreboard with 55 points and 459 yards of offense-an all-out assault that punched their ticket to the Super Bowl. While it’s hard to imagine them hitting those same heights this time around (especially with a season-high of 38 points so far), they’ve started to rediscover their offensive identity. Over the past two games, they’ve gone for at least 200 passing yards and 130 on the ground-a formula that’s been the foundation of the Hurts-era success.
If the game gets out of hand early, expect to see Tanner McKee step in to protect Hurts from unnecessary hits. That’s the luxury of being in the driver’s seat this late in the season.
On the other side, Washington’s defense has taken a step back from the promise they showed last year. They currently rank 29th against the pass and 28th against the run-numbers that should have the Eagles’ offense licking its chops. If Philly leans on the run game with Saquon Barkley and rookie Tank Bigsby, they’ll have a great shot at controlling the tempo and keeping the Commanders on their heels.
But don’t sleep on Washington’s ground game either. Despite trading Brian Robinson Jr. to the 49ers earlier this year, the Commanders have found unexpected success with seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt. He and Chris Rodriguez have formed a surprisingly effective duo, and with Jeremy McNichols and their mobile quarterback tandem in the mix, Kliff Kingsbury has cobbled together a rushing attack that can keep them competitive-even if the wins haven’t followed.
The Eagles’ run defense has been solid on paper-22nd in rushing yards allowed-but there have been cracks. The Black Friday loss to the Bears, where Philly gave up 281 rushing yards, was a glaring example.
If Jalen Carter remains sidelined, that interior could be vulnerable again. But with Zach Baun and Nakobe Dean flying around at linebacker, and Vic Fangio dialing up adjustments, the Eagles are better equipped to patch those leaks than they were a few weeks ago.
So what’s at stake? For Philly, it’s simple: win and you’re in.
One more victory-or a Cowboys loss in any of their next three-and the Eagles punch their postseason ticket. That gives them some cushion, but also raises questions about how much to push their starters down the stretch.
Do you risk Hurts, Barkley, or a returning Lane Johnson in a cold-weather war with the Bills if your playoff spot is already locked? Or do you play it safe and roll with backups, even if it costs you seeding?
Those decisions will come soon enough. But first, the Eagles have to take care of business against the Commanders-a team they’ve already steamrolled once this year. If they do, they’ll not only clinch the NFC East, but they’ll also head into Week 17 with momentum, clarity, and a chance to fine-tune for the games that really matter.
One team is chasing the postseason. The other is chasing building blocks. Week 16 might not be the flashiest matchup on the schedule, but for the Eagles, it’s the next step in a journey they hope ends with another parade down Broad Street.