You know how some NFL matchups just feel different? It’s not just the standings or the playoff implications. It’s the grit. The Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders is exactly that kind of rivalry. Whether they're playing for a division lead or just pride in a regular-season finale, these two teams have a way of making every snap feel like a personal grudge match.
Honestly, looking back at the 2025 season, the narrative took some wild turns. Most people expected the Eagles to just steamroll the NFC East. And for a while, they did. But Washington? They've become this weirdly resilient thorn in Philly’s side, especially with the way things ended in early January 2026.
What Really Happened with the Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders Finale
If you caught the Week 18 game on January 4, 2026, you saw a perfect example of why you can't sleep on this matchup. The Eagles were already playoff-bound, sitting pretty with an 11-5 record. They did the logical thing: they rested the big guns. Jalen Hurts sat out. Saquon Barkley was a spectator. Tanner McKee got the nod at quarterback.
On the flip side, the Commanders were staring at a 4-12 record. Their season was, basically, a mess. Jayden Daniels was shut down weeks prior with that nagging elbow injury. Marcus Mariota was banged up. So, enter Josh Johnson—the ultimate NFL journeyman.
Washington won 24-17.
It was ugly, gritty, and totally unexpected. Johnson, at 39 years old, won his first game as a starter since 2018. He wasn't lighting up the stat sheet with 400 yards, but he did enough. He found John Bates in the end zone to tie it up and then scrambled for the winning score himself. It was a classic "trap game" for Philadelphia, even if they were intentionally playing their reserves.
The Jayden Daniels vs Jalen Hurts Dynamic
We have to talk about the quarterbacks because that's where the future of this rivalry lives. When Jalen Hurts is healthy, he's a nightmare for Washington. Just look at the 2024 NFC Championship game—the Eagles crushed them 55-23. Hurts was efficient, surgical, and let the ground game do the heavy lifting.
But Jayden Daniels changed the math.
Before his injury late in the 2025 season, Daniels was arguably the most exciting thing to happen to D.C. sports in a decade. Even in losses, like that 26-18 heartbreaker in November 2024, he showed he could go toe-to-toe with Hurts. He’s got that "it" factor. He's faster than people realize and has a completion percentage that usually hovers around the high 60s.
The problem for Washington? Staying healthy.
While Hurts has been a model of consistency (barring the occasional "Tush Push" stinger), Daniels has struggled to finish a full season. In 2025, he only played seven games. You can’t win the East from the trainer’s room.
Bobby Wagner and the Milestones
The Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders rivalry isn't just about the young bucks. In that January 2026 finale, we saw history. Bobby Wagner—yes, he's still playing at an elite level—recorded his 2,000th career tackle.
Think about that.
Only Ray Lewis and London Fletcher had done that before him. It’s poetic that he hit that mark against the Eagles, a team he's battled so many times. It didn't matter that the game had zero playoff stakes for Washington; Wagner playing through a knee issue to hit that milestone tells you everything about the culture Dan Quinn is trying to build.
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Why Philadelphia Still Owns the Edge
Despite that recent loss, the Eagles are the better-run machine. It’s not even a debate. They became the first team in over 20 years to win back-to-back NFC East titles in 2025. That’s huge. The "NFC East Curse" where nobody repeats as champ is finally dead.
Philly’s defense is the real secret. They finished 2025 ranked third in the NFL in points allowed. While everyone talks about the "Brotherly Shove" and A.J. Brown's highlight reels, it’s guys like Jalen Carter and Quinyon Mitchell who are making life miserable for Washington.
If you’re looking at the betting trends, it’s pretty clear. Philly has won four of the last five meetings. They cover the spread more often than not when they're healthy. Washington, meanwhile, has been a bettor's nightmare, going 7-10 against the spread in 2025.
Key Stats to Remember:
- All-time Series: Commanders lead 91–88–6 (it’s that close).
- Recent History: Eagles are 10-5 in their last 15 games against Washington.
- The 2024 Blowout: That 55-23 playoff win for Philly still haunts D.C. fans.
- Ground Game: Saquon Barkley averaged nearly 140 yards per game against the Commanders in 2024/25.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
As we head into the 2026 off-season, the vibes are polar opposite.
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The Eagles are geared up for another deep playoff run. They have the depth, the coaching, and a quarterback who doesn't blink. They’ll likely look to add some veteran presence in the secondary, but the core is rock solid.
Washington is at a crossroads. Again.
Winning that last game actually hurt them a bit; it moved them down to the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. And with top QB prospects like Dante Moore deciding to stay in college another year, the trade-back value for that pick isn't what it used to be. They need to figure out how to protect Jayden Daniels. If they don’t, it doesn’t matter how many tackles Bobby Wagner makes.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors:
- Watch the Injury Reports: Jayden Daniels is the engine for Washington. If he's out, the Commanders' win probability drops by nearly 25% based on 2025 data.
- The "Under" Trend: When these two meet late in the season, the total often stays under. In 2025, the Eagles' defense was so dominant that high-scoring shootouts became rare.
- Home Field Matters: Interestingly, the Eagles have been more consistent against the spread on the road in Landover than they have been at Lincoln Financial Field.
- The Saquon Factor: If Saquon Barkley is active, bet the over on his rushing yards. Washington’s run defense finished the 2025 season ranked 28th in the league.
This rivalry is far from over. It’s just getting started.