KSL Sports Insiders And Writers Predict NFC Championship Game

PHILADELPHIA- The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders will meet in the NFC Championship game, a matchup that was unthinkable just one year ago.

Both teams have had very different paths to championship weekend, but what they do have in common is the presence and dominance of an offensive weapon.

Saquon Barkly is having one of the all-time great seasons for a running back in NFL history and Jayden Daniels is on the brink of becoming the first rookie quarterback to start in the Super Bowl, making Sunday’s matchup between the Eagles and Commanders intriguing from every angle.

RELATED: KSL Sports Insiders And Writers Predict AFC Championship Game

A spot in the Super Bowl is on the line 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/SYvfzNRMjm

— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Road To The NFC Championship Game

The Philadelphia Eagles go off to a bit of a rocky start in the regular season, going 2-2 in their first four games with losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But they must’ve just been shaking off the rust because following their loss to Tampa in Week 4, the Eagles rattled off a 10-game win streak, the second longest in the NFL this year. The team to break Philly’s win streak you ask? The Washington Commanders on December 22.

The Eagles snagged the 2-seed in the NFC with their 14-3 record in the regular season and were matched up with the Green Bay Packers. The Eagles and Packers played all the way back in Week 1 of the regular season in São Paulo, Brazil, where Philadelphia came out on top 34-29. Their playoff matchup told much of the same story as the Eagles defense forced four turnovers on their way to a 22-10 win.

In the Divisional Round, the Eagles and Rams played a weather game for the ages in Philadelphia. The climate seemed cold but calm in the first half, but by the time the fourth quarter came along, the numbers on the field were no longer visible due to snowfall. Because of the rough throwing conditions, Saquon Barkley carried the ball 26 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns. His dominant performance was what powered the Eagles as they edged out Los Angeles 28-22.

SAQUON BARKLEY 78 YARDS GOOOOODBYE!

📺: #LARvsPHI on NBC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/88LvtJoEFa

— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2025

The Washington Commanders’ Road To The NFC Championship Game

Less than one year ago, the Washington Commanders were coming off a last-place finish in the NFC East with a 4-13 record and were preparing to pick second overall in April’s NFL Draft. With that pick, the Commanders selected quarterback Jayden Daniels out of LSU, completely changing the trajectory of their franchise.

The rookie’s impact was immediately felt as Washington matched their win total from the previous year by week five and won seven of their first nine games, making Daniels the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Commanders hit a bit of a speed bump in the middle of the year with three losses in a row to the Steelers, Eagles, and Cowboys, but they straightened the ship and ended the year with a five-game win streak, their longest of the season.

At 12-5, the Commanders entered the NFC Playoffs as the 6-seed, opening their run on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Washington trailed 17-13 entering the fourth quarter but were able to scrap out 10 points, winning the game on a field goal that bounced off the upright and in with no time left on the clock. In the Divisional Round, Washington went to Detroit to take on the top-seeded Lions. Jayden Daniels threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns as the Commanders abused the depleted Detroit defense, scoring 45 points in a double-digit win over the NFC favorites.

Eyes covered? No problem 🫣

🔜 NFC Championship 1/26 3pm on FOX pic.twitter.com/TRFTXVWmLX

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025

Philadelphia vs Washington In The Regular Season

These two NFC East rivals met two times in the regular season, splitting the series as each team protected their home turf.

The Commanders and Eagles faced off on Thursday Night Football on November 14. It was a low-scoring affair but the Commanders held a lead for the majority of the action, but their inability to pull away kept it a one-score game throughout. Philadelphia scored a touchdown three minutes into the fourth quarter to take a 12-10 lead, and when Washington delivered no counterpunch, the Eagles pulled away. Saquon was the X-factor once again with nearly 150 yards and two touchdowns.

In Week 16, the two squads once again met near the nation’s capital in what would end up being a much more high-flying battle than the previous. The Eagles’ game plan did change as Kenny Pickett had to take the majority of the snaps after Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion in the first quarter. Regardless of who was under center, Philadelphia was still able to put 33 points on the board, but they were outshined by a five-touchdown performance from Jayden Daniels, who led the Commanders to 22 fourth-quarter points in a 36-33 comeback victory.

KSL Sports Insiders And Writers Make Their Predictions

Chandler Holt – Eagles / 31-24

Mitch Harper – Eagles / 28-17

Steve Bartle – Eagles / 30-21

Cole Bagley – Commanders / 35 -24

Ben Anderson – Eagles / 31-27

Brian Preece – Eagles / 24-10

Tanner Tripp – Commanders / 28-20

How To Watch Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders

The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders will face off in the NFC Championship Game from Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is set for Sunday, January 26, at 1:00 p.m. MT. Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will be on the call.

Television

Fox

Stream

Fubo

About #LocalsInTheNFL

For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.

Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.

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Tanner Tripp is a sports writer for KSL Sports covering all teams across the state of Utah. Follow him on X @tanner_tripp and Instagram @tanner.tripp here.

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