Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles (NFL NFC Conference Championship Playoffs)
1ST QUARTER
13:52 ON THE CLOCK: The opening drive starts with a conversion on third down from Jayden Daniels to Terry McLaurin for the first down. There are consecutive third downs consistently in the drive as Washington even needs to go for it on fourth downs. A catch from Zach Ertz and a run from Daniels gets the Commanders within field goal range. Washington is unable to make the first 3 downs count as they are forced to kick the field goal from 34 yards. Zane Gonzalez converts the kick to give the Commanders a 3-0 lead to start the game.
7:57 ON THE CLOCK: Philadelphia receives the kick off to restart the game. Will Shipley, the rookie from Clemson, returns the ball with a great run up to the near 40 yard line. The next play is thrown to Saquon Barkley who goes past Commanders defenders, dodges tackles and spins past another before the space opens up for him. He runs all the way for the touchdown in another great run by the Running Back. The Eagles lead 3-7.
5:50 ON THE CLOCK: The Commanders are just shy of their 40 yard line with Jayden Daniels throwing to Dyami Brown. He is quickly swarmed by Eagles defenders with the ball being punched out and recovered by Safety Reed Blankenship for the Eagles. Not the start to the second drive that Washington was looking for.
5:37 ON THE CLOCK: Jalen Hurts finds Dallas Goedert on 2nd & 10 as he drives through tackles from multiple defenders to get the first down. Hurts then looks long on the next play to DeVonta Smith, he catches expertly whilst making sure to keep his feet in bounds on the 15 yard line. A 2nd & 7 is then thrown to AJ Brown who uses good agility to fake a defender and get the 1st & GOAL. This is then handed off to Saquon Barkley again, he goes round the Commanders defence into open space again for the touchdown. Washington 3-14 Philadelphia.
2:32 ON THE CLOCK: A 3rd & 6 for the Commanders is nearly intercepted after a pass is overthrown by Daniels and nearly caught by the Eagles. On 4th down the Commanders go for a fake punt and throw to Tight End Ben Sinnott, who makes the catch. On the 2nd & 16 Daniels throws a dart to Dyami Brown who nearly gets through before a vital tackle stops his progress inside the 30.
2ND QUARTER
14:54 ON THE CLOCK: Jayden Daniels is unable to make a play on 3rd down and throws the ball out to avoid any possibility of a turnover. Zane Gozalez is then given the task of a 46 yard field goal, which is “perfect” as said on commentary. The score is now 6-14 to make it a one possession game.
11:02 ON THE CLOCK: The 3rd & 1 for Philadelphia only means one thing, the tush push, which is good from the Eagles for the first down. However, they are unable to make the fresh set of downs count as Hurts is sacked on 3rd down. A great tackle by Linebacker Frankie Luvu, forcing the field goal attempt from long. Jake Elliott goes wide right with his kick, with the loss of yardage from the sack proving costly for the Eagles.
8:18 ON THE CLOCK: Jayden Daniels throws to John Bates on 2nd & 4 and gets the first down near the 35 yard line. Then on 3rd & 3 Daniles fires one into the hands of Terry McLaurin around the 30 yard line. He splits the defence and pushes his way to the endzone for the first Commanders touchdown of the game. A great run and perseverance from the Wide Receiver. Although the Commanders go for a 2-point attempt which is unsuccessful. The Eagles defense stops Austin Ekeler well short of the goal line. Commanders 12-14 Eagles.
4:12 ON THE CLOCK: The Eagles are on 2nd & 8, with the ball handed to Barkley again. He powers his way through a tackle to get the first down. A 4th & 5 as the Eagles gamble, Hurts goes deep in the direction of AJ Brown. Straight into his path and safe hands from Brown to make the catch and keep hold of it. Another 3rd down as the Commanders defense blitzes to put pressure on Hurts. He throws towards DeVonta Smith, who can’t keep hold of the ball but a penalty flag is quickly thrown. Pass interference called by the refs on Marshon Lattimore. The Eagles have a 1st & GOAL from 1 yard, which the tush push back in force. Hurts drives his way into the endzone with the help of his teammates for the touchdown. The Eagles try to repeat the same play for a 2-point conversion but the Commanders defense stands strong. 12-20 Eagles.
1:44 ON THE CLOCK: Washington has the ball with Jeremy McNichols returning the kick. He is met by a strong tackle and the ball comes loose again with the Eagles yet again recovering the ball.
0:57 ON THE CLOCK: Jalen Hurts has the ball again and combines with Barkley on 3rd & 10. He looks to be short but a strong and high tackle from Cornerback Mike Sainristil draws another penalty flag on the Commanders. Therefore, 1st & GOAL for the Eagles with Barkley handed the ball again for a gain of 6. The 3rd & GOAL is thrown quickly and accurately by Hurts to find AJ Brown for another great catch and touchdown. A 12-27 lead for the Eagles.
0:20 ON THE CLOCK: Washington looks to make the most of the time they have left as Daniels runs on 1st & 5 all the way to the 35 yard line. A great run as he gets out of bounds in the last seconds to ensure the clock stops. The next play is thrown to a wide open Zach Ertz, who gets more yardage for another first down. He leaves a 42 yard attempt for Gonzalez who splits the sticks for another 3 points. Commanders 15-27 Eagles.
HALF TIME - WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 15 - 27 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
3RD QUARTER
11:27 ON THE CLOCK: Both defenses start the second half on top with 3 sacks, 2 for the Commanders and 1 for the Eagles. They both cancel out each other's drives as they are both unable to make up the yardage they lose in their opening drives of the second half.
10:47 ON THE CLOCK: Philadelphia has a 1st & 10 on the 42 yard line. Hurts throws to AJ Brown, who is open for consecutive first downs. A couple of plays later Hurts looks to the other side of the field and finds Goedert again for a gain near the 10. The 1st & GOAL attempt is ran by Hurts himself as he finds a path to go straight through the Commanders defense for the touchdown. The Eagles extended their lead to 15-34.
8:02 ON THE CLOCK: The Commanders have a 2nd & 4 near midfield as Daniels throws perfectly into the hands of Zach Ertz who stiff arms his way to more yardage, ending up near the 30 yard line. A few plays later the Commanders are on the 10 yard line on 3rd & 1. Daniels looks to run himself then a quick change of direction opens up the path for him to drive through the Eagles defence and into the endzone. Another 2-point attempt follows. This time good from Daniels as he finds Olamide Zaccheaus in the endzone to get the extra points. The score closes to 23-34 in the Eagles favour.
1:33 ON THE CLOCK: After great work from the Commanders defense to limit the drive from the Eagles. Another sack from Luvu on Jalen Hurts, sets up a 1st & 10 for the Commanders. Daniels once again finds Ertz again with perfect timing and a great catch under pressure for another first down. Daniels then throws again as it is caught but another great tackle from the Eagles defense knocks the ball out. Once again recovered by the Eagles for another turnover.
4TH QUARTER
14:17 ON THE CLOCK: A 2nd & 1 is handed off to Saquon Barkley, who once again drives and breaks through tackles before being stopped at the 1 yard line. Another great run from the Running Back, who is having an incredible first season with the Eagles. Another tush push on 2nd & GOAL gets the Eagles another 7 points on the board. Commanders 23-41 Eagles.
10:30 ON THE CLOCK: Washington under pressure again as they are on their 40 yard line with a 3rd & 12 to contend with. Daniels tries to fire one into the hands of Luke McCaffrey but good defending nearly leads to another interception. On 4th & 12 the Commanders have to go for it again but more great defensive pressure is applied, leading to another sack by Nolan Smith Jr.
8:02 ON THE CLOCK: The Eagles then have the ball in Commanders territory. They make it count with 2nd & goal handed again to the main threat of Saquon Barkley who makes the play, running into the endzone with ease yet again. The lead once again extended to 23-48.
5:54 ON THE CLOCK: Another 3rd down for Washington who are struggling to get their offense going. Daniels finds Ertz once again, who hurdles a defender on his way to getting the first down. Another 3rd down follows as Daniels looks deep in the direction of McLaurin. However, more excellent defending from the Eagles as Quinyon Mitchell blocks the pass into the air before catching for yet another interception.
4:51 ON THE CLOCK: 1st & 10 from the Eagles 20 yard line is handed to Running Back Will Shipley. He runs through tackles and drives through the Commanders defense for a gain of just over 15 yards. The next play is handed to Shipley again with almost a mirror play as he goes through the Commanders defense again with relative ease. The field opens up for him before he is brought down at the 5 by Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste. The 2nd & GOAL attempt is then passed off to Shipley again who drives into the endzone for a well deserved touchdown by the Running Back. The first of his career, with plenty more to come.
The Philadelphia Eagles punch their ticket to Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. Their second Super Bowl in three years. It would be the second Super Bowl victory in franchise history if they win at the Caesars Superdome. Their first time lifting the Vince Lombardi trophy was back in 2017. They defeated the New England Patriots who were looking for a three-peat in the NFL. The same task faces them again as they come up against the Kansas City Chiefs looking to do the same three-peat this year.
FINAL SCORE - WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 23 - 55 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
