Next stop: New Orleans.
The Philadelphia Eagles soared to a statement 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the National Football Conference (NFC) Championship Game on Jan. 26 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Dominating in all aspects, the Eagles punched their ticket to the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons, leaving little suspicion about their status as one of the NFC’s elite squads.
Philly wasted no time asserting themselves in the contest, with running back and MVP candidate Saquon Barkley breaking free for a 60-yard touchdown run on the team’s first play from scrimmage.
Barkley, who finished with 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns, was a deciding factor for the team. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts tipped his cap to Barkley following the contest.
“Saquon has been a game-changer for us all year,” Hurts said. “Whether it is breaking a big run or helping us establish a rhythm, he’s been pivotal to our success.”
The Eagles built a commanding 27-15 halftime.
Hurts delivered a level-headed performance, completing 20 of 28 passes for 246 yards and two total touchdowns (one passing and one rushing touchdown.) His connection with wide receiver A.J. Brown proved effective, as Brown snagged six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Despite flashes of brilliance from quarterback and Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist Jayden Daniels, the Commanders floundered to keep up with Philadelphia’s offense. Daniels threw for 255 yards and a touchdown, but he was sacked three times and intercepted once by cornerback Quincy Mitchell, a momentum-shifting play in the fourth quarter.
“This [loss] sucks,” Daniels said after the game. “I couldn’t be prouder of the guys in the locker room. We all meshed and got to this point, but at the end of the day, we lost, and it sucks, but we will move on from this.
Daniels’ best moment came on a 36-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Terry McLaurin in the second frame, briefly cutting the deficit to two points.
However, the Eagles responded with a 12-play, 72-yard drive, resulting in a Hurts’ one-yard touchdown run.
Additionally, Philadelphia’s defense impressed many during the contest. The unit limited Washington to 99 rushing yards and forced three turnovers, including two fumbles.
Linebacker Nolan Smith logged an integral sack in the third quarter, stalling a promising Commanders comeback.
The Eagles’ defensive front, led by Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis, disrupted Washington’s offensive tempo, causing hurried throws and clogging running lanes.
Head coach Nick Sirianni expressed pride in his squad.
“This game is about overcoming adversity. There are going to be good plays in the game and there are going to be bad plays in the game,” Sirianni said. “There will be good moments in a season and bad moments in a season.
With the victory, the Eagles now focus on the Super Bowl, where they will face the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 9. This is their second meeting in the Super Bowl in the last three seasons.
The Eagles look to stop the Chiefs from winning their third consecutive Super Bowl championship, a feat never accomplished in the NFL.
Contcat Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on TikTok @3Noral. For more sports, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
