By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports activities Author
PHILADELPHIA — Check out the Philadelphia Eagles since October — en path to 16 whole wins for the second time in three seasons — and all of the hallmarks of a dominant Tremendous Bowl favourite are checked.
A ten-game successful streak.
Saquon Barkley rewriting staff report books and ending on the cusp of the NFL single-season dashing report. The highest-rated protection within the NFL. Six Philadelphia gamers within the Professional Bowl. They even made a little-known writer a finest vendor.
The Eagles are 14-1 since October — and that features two straight residence postseason victories.
It’s that “1” that troubles the Eagles a bit extra this weekend.
The Washington Commanders are the one behind the 1 in 14-1, an exhilarating comeback residence win towards the Eagles in December that made coach Dan Quinn and a particular quarterback in Jayden Daniels really consider that, sure, perhaps the long-downtrodden franchise as soon as recognized extra for shoddy possession is lastly geared up to make a Tremendous Bowl run.
Who desires to doubt them?
Actually not the top-seeded Detroit Lions, knocked off final week after Washington’s protection bought 5 turnovers and its offense by no means turned the ball over in a 45-31 victory in Detroit.
Actually not the Eagles, the sport movie from their December defeat nonetheless irritatingly recent and their eyes extensive open given one other two-TD effort from Daniels towards the Lions.
“We’ve bought numerous expectations about how we will play and what we do,” Quinn mentioned.
That begins with taking Spherical 3.
The rubber match is about within the NFC championship recreation on Sunday at Lincoln Monetary Subject, the place the Eagles are attempting to return to the Tremendous Bowl for the second time in three seasons. They’re 6-point favorites to beat Washington, per BetMGM Sportsbook, however go in with quarterback Jalen Hurts nursing a left knee damage.
Hurts by no means missed a snap after he was damage towards the Rams within the divisional recreation and he remained steadfast this week that he would play – a wanted enhance for the Eagles after he was concussed within the earlier recreation towards the Commanders and missed the ultimate two video games of the common season.
Hurts ran for the go-ahead rating, Barkley rushed for 146 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, and the Eagles held off the Commanders, 26-18, within the first matchup in November. The Commanders took the rematch, 36-33, a month later behind 5 landing passes from Daniels.
“He can lengthen performs and make a play along with his legs. He can lengthen a play and make a play along with his arm,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni mentioned. “You may see that he’s calm and funky within the largest moments and bought numerous respect for the way he’s enjoying.”
The Commanders had few believers outdoors the locker room that they might get this far within the postseason.
Daniels, who gained the Heisman Trophy at LSU, has led the Commanders to 6 consecutive victories – successful the primary 5 on the ultimate play of scrimmage earlier than upsetting the Lions by double digits.
The Commanders don’t anticipate the magic to expire in Philly within the first convention title recreation between NFC East groups because the 1986 season — at the same time as they rank behind Buffalo, Kansas Metropolis and the betting favourite Eagles to win the Tremendous Bowl.
“It’s the ultimate 4,” Daniels mentioned. “There’s going to be much more eyes on these groups, so you possibly can get out of whack, you possibly can take heed to the media, stuff like that. However if you happen to hold your identical routine, keep constant, it should work out.”
Slowing Saquon
Barkley is coming off dashing for 205 yards and two touchdowns towards the Rams. He had two huge video games towards the Rams this season. Towards the Commanders, it has been a combined bag.
Barkley had 15 carries for 56 yards within the first half of those groups’ first recreation this season on Nov. 14 at Philadelphia, earlier than ending with 146 yards and two TDs. He had 109 yards and two TDs within the first quarter at Washington on Dec. 22, then had 22 runs for 41 yards the remainder of the sport with Hurts sidelined by a concussion.
“He’s a outstanding participant,” Quinn mentioned. “You may have to have the ability to do proper again and again and never get tired of simply being in the suitable spot again and again.”
Barkley disregarded any considerations that the Commanders had his quantity this season.
With good purpose, maybe. The Commanders confronted Eagles backup QB Kenny Pickett for the majority of that recreation as soon as Hurts was concussed, eliminating a high offensive menace. The highest focus — and Nos. 2, 3 and 4 — grew to become stopping Barkley.
“I feel they offered out on the run,” Barkley mentioned. “It labored for them within the second half. Within the grand scheme of issues, we nonetheless put up 30-something factors and had the chance to win the soccer recreation. It ended up with in our arms, however we didn’t try this, so we’ll put together for no matter they’re going to convey.”
Rookie QB historical past
Daniels, who stays near the group he grew up in, is another upset away from changing into the primary rookie quarterback to guide his staff to the Tremendous Bowl. He’s solely the sixth to succeed in a convention championship recreation. The earlier 5 are Brock Purdy, Mark Sanchez, Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger and Shaun King.
“Man, I’m not even considering that far,” Daniels mentioned this week. “It might clearly be a blessing, however I’m simply centered on how can I be higher daily.”
Daniels already set the rookie QB report for dashing yards with 891, and he’s the main passer by two rounds of the playoffs with 567.
“He’s the last word professional as a rookie,” high receiver Terry McLaurin mentioned. “Whether or not it’s play or a foul play, he’s all the time fearful concerning the subsequent play and he’s fearful about how we will execute this subsequent play on the highest potential capability that we have now for our offense.”