Can the Washington Commanders (2-1) pull off a major upset of the Philadelphia Eagles (3-0) for the second consecutive season?
Last season, Washington headed into Philadelphia as a major underdog, sporting a 4-5 record against the then-unbeaten Eagles. Washington’s game plan was outstanding, possessing the football for over 40 minutes, almost doubling Philadelphia’s total number of offensive plays and forcing four turnovers in a 32-21 upset win.
Buy Commanders TicketsThe Commanders opened the season with two consecutive wins before falling hard to the Bills in Week 3. Can Washington bounce back?
We here at Commanders Wire make our final predictions for Sunday’s battle between the Commanders and Eagles.
Bryan Manning
No one gave Washington a chance last season when the Commanders went to Philly and controlled the game. It wasn’t necessarily a dominant win, but Washington did everything right in coming away with an impressive win.
Can magic strike twice?
This is the NFL. Every team can defeat anyone. It’s called “Any Given Sunday” for a reason. The Commanders are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Bills. I do think Washington will bounce back with a better performance against the Eagles. However, I can’t take Washington’s offensive line against Philadelphia’s defensive front.
I think the Commanders play well on defense and that Sam Howell plays reasonably well. In the end, though, Philly’s defensive line stifles Washington’s running game, and that proves too much to overcome.
Eagles 24, Commanders 17
Ivan Lambert
Commanders QB Sam Howell last week had what we are all hoping will be his worst career game.
In addition, the Commanders this week are going up against perhaps the best defensive front against the run they will face this season. Even more, the Eagles have not even given up a rushing touchdown in three games. The Commanders absolutely must run the ball to slow the Eagles pass rush pressure on Howell.
Eagles RB D’Andre Swift is second in the NFL with 308 rushing yards and averaging 6.8 yards a carry; then you add Jalen Hurts, the best running QB in the NFL, who has already run for three touchdowns this season. The Eagles offensive line is the best in the division, and as a result, the Eagles are second in the NFL in team rushing, averaging 185.7 rushing yards a game.
Finally, the Eagles no doubt have never forgotten how, in 2022, they were 8-0 and the Commanders, a 10.5-point underdog, went to Philly and upset the Eagles on MNF. Thus, they will not be overlooking the Commanders.
Eagles 26, Commanders 17
Sammy Mansfield
Last week was a rough showing for the Washington Commanders. The team’s first real test of the season ended in a 37-3 beatdown at the hands of Josh Allen and the Bills relentless defense. The Bills D ended the day with four interceptions, nine sacks, and a forced fumble, officially ending the honeymoon phase of the Sam Howell era.
If the Commanders want to bounce back this week against yet another Super Bowl contender in their first divisional game against the Philadelphia Eagles, they are going to have to stay committed to the run and feed Brian Robinson Jr., something Bieniemy shied away from far too early in last week’s contest. Robinson is averaging a healthy 4.6 yards per carry and is the team’s only hope of keeping the Eagles front at bay with such a poor offensive line. Philly’s secondary has looked vulnerable this year, but Howell might not have the chance to exploit it with future DROY Jalen Carter breathing down his neck. Washington caught the Eagles off guard in week 10 last year and ruined their perfect season, so it’s unlikely that happens again this time around.
Eagles 32, Commanders 20
