As week 11 of the NFL season opens, the NFC East title is at stake in Philadelphia. The Washington Commanders will visit the Philadelphia Eagles for a highly anticipated Thursday Night Football showdown. Washington’s last game ended in a narrow 28-27 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers, where they were unable to capitalize on their status as a 2.5-point favorite. Meanwhile, Philadelphia triumphed over the Dallas Cowboys with a dominant 34-6 victory, easily covering the seven-point spread. Historically, the Commanders lead the teams’ regular-season series at 88-85-6, but the Eagles have claimed five of the last six encounters, including two close wins last season. The most recent games featured one-score margins of 34-31 in Philadelphia on October 1, 2023, and 38-31 in Washington on October 29, 2023.
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Who will emerge victorious in this clash? Read on for insights on the Commanders vs. Eagles matchup!
Commanders Aim for NFC East Dominance
Washington faced missed opportunities in their recent home game against Pittsburgh. After a competitive start, they ended up trailing 14-7 before executing a strong comeback with 17 unanswered points, taking a 24-14 lead. However, a late-game touchdown by the Steelers sealed Washington’s fate. The Commanders now hold a 7-3 record, sitting second in the NFC East, just half a game behind the Eagles, but still in the wild card race.
Washington’s offensive stats highlight their strengths; they rank 11th in the league for passing with 223.5 yards per game and fourth in rushing, averaging 153.5 yards on the ground. Their scoring offense is impressive, ranking third at 29 points per game. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has thrown for 2,147 yards, with nine touchdowns and two interceptions, while also contributing significantly as a rusher. The team’s ground game features a trio of capable backs, including Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, both of whom have combined for over 900 rushing yards and ten touchdowns.
In terms of receiving, Terry McLaurin leads with 711 yards and six touchdowns. The Commanders’ kicking game has also been reliable, with Austin Seibert converting 25 of 27 field goal attempts this season. On the injury front, several key players, including Seibert and cornerback Marshon Lattimore, did not practice recently, which could impact their game plan.
Eagles Pursuing a Sixth Straight Win
The Eagles enter this matchup riding a five-game winning streak after their impressive victory against Dallas. With a 7-2 record, Philadelphia leads the NFC East, looking to extend their dominance. The team showcased their strength against the Cowboys, establishing an early lead and never looking back, finishing with a commanding 348-146 advantage in total offense.
Philadelphia’s offensive strategy has served them well, ranking second in rushing with 176.1 yards per game, while their scoring offense sits seventh at 25.9 points per game. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has performed admirably, throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and contributing ten rushing touchdowns this season. The receiving corps, led by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, has proven to be a reliable asset, collectively amassing significant yardage and touchdowns.
On the injury report, key players like DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert are being monitored closely, as their availability could greatly affect the Eagles’ offensive capabilities. As the week progresses, updates on these players will be crucial for both teams.