- WHERE: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
- WHEN: 8:15 p.m. ET | Prime Video, NFL+
First place will be on the line when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Washington Commanders on Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field, the biggest game for both teams this season.
After Sunday’s win at Dallas, the 7-2 Eagles leapt back into first place in the NFC East for the first time since winning in Week 1. The Commanders had led the division after each week since Week 2 until Sunday, when they lost to the Steelers at home.
Both Washington and Philadelphia enter the game with seven victories and 2-0 records in the NFC East entering Week 11. This is the first meeting of these teams in which both enter the game four-plus games over .500 since Week 12 of the 1996 season.
The Eagles have dominated the recent series between the rivals, beating the Commanders five of the past six meetings. But this is a different Washington team than we’ve seen in some time. With a win Thursday, it’d have as many victories this season as in any year since 2012 and would be a step closer to their first playoff spot since backing into the postseason with a 7-9 record in 2020.
This is also the first meeting between Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts, who each rank in the top three in QB rush yards and who have put up similar passing numbers in 2024. Daniels is the overwhelming favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Hurts has steadily improved his MVP candidacy with a bounceback season.
Here are four things to watch for when the Commanders visit the Eagles on Thursday night on Prime Video and NFL+:
1) Commanders offense looking for a rebound. Sunday’s 28-27 loss to the Steelers came down to the final minute to be decided, but Washington’s offensive performance in the game was lacking compared to the gaudy numbers this group has produced. They had only one turnover Sunday (and have only four on the season) but were held to 242 yards. Jayden Daniels was held in check as a runner (three rushes, 5 yards) and thrower, held to a season-low 50% completion rate. Teams that have had more success against the Commanders have tended to do a better job stopping their run game, and RB Brian Robinson Jr. has missed the past two games. There’s also the question of whether the league might be adapting to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s system after their hot start. History appears to show that Kingsbury’s offenses -- whether he’s the head coach or OC -- tend to wane in production as seasons wear on. In Weeks 1-9, his offenses have averaged 26.6 points, 377.9 yards and 0.8 turnovers per game. In Weeks 10 and beyond in his career, Kingsbury’s offenses have slipped to 21.2 points, 331.6 yards and 1.5 turnovers per game.
2) Hurts, Barkley could be a tough twosome. A lot has been made of Washington’s pass-coverage issues, but lest we overlook their troubles stopping the run. They’ve allowed 506 rush yards the past three games and rank 29th in the NFL in yards per rush allowed (4.85). The Eagles run the ball better than each of the past three Commanders opponents and arguably better than any team Dan Quinn’s defense has faced. Saquon Barkley enters this game nine yards shy of 1,000 for the season, and he’s on pace for more than 1,700. Prior to a tepid game in the blowout of Dallas, Barkley was on a tear; he’s averaged 6.5 yards per carry the past four games. Over that same timeframe, Jalen Hurts has eight rushing TDs and has averaged 4.9 yards per carry. The Commanders did a respectable job containing Lamar Jackson earlier this season, but other mobile QBs (Daniel Jones and Caleb Williams) had some success scrambling against them. If they’re not assignment-sound and don’t bring population to the ball, it could be a long night for Washington.
3) Commanders need better security on the back end. The Commanders made a trade-deadline deal to land CB Marshon Lattimore, but he missed Sunday’s loss and is out for Thursday’s game, still working his way back from a hamstring injury. Washington sure could use him. CBs Benjamin St.-Juste and Mike Sainristil figure to have their hands full with the Eagles’ duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who remain two of the very best at what they do, even as Smith has had a few quiet games and Brown has been held out of the end zone for three straight contests. Top-tier receivers such as Ja'Marr Chase, Zay Flowers, Malik Nabers and Chris Godwin have had big games against the Commanders this season. Washington’s pass rush, led by Dante Fowler Jr.’s 8.5 sacks, has helped the defense keep nine of its 10 opponents under 253 pass yards. But Sunday’s loss to the Steelers featured several big-play breakdowns by the Commanders’ secondary.
4) Eagle killer Terry McLaurin will test the secondary. They call him “Scary Terry” for a reason. McLaurin often has been a lone wolf in the Commanders offense, yet he’s continually given the Eagles trouble when he’s faced them, totaling 58 catches for 847 yards and four TDs in 10 career meetings. Over his past four games against the Eagles, McLaurin has averaged 94.5 receiving yards. But the Eagles have changed defensively, with a new coordinator (Vic Fangio) and new DBs (Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean). Fangio will have his hands full, trying to slow down Jayden Daniels as a runner and passer and contending with McLaurin, Zach Ertz and Noah Brown. But Fangio has traditionally done a good job limiting big plays with two-high-safety looks, lighter defensive personnel and occasionally using spies versus athletic QBs. Still, at some point or another, the Eagles’ DBs will be tested. Mitchell and Cooper have been upgrades over their predecessors, James Bradberry and Avonte Maddox, and the entire secondary has held firm, well-equipped with the likes of Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship and the rookies.
