Saquon BarkleyTerence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Strength: The Ground Game
The Eagles were eighth in the NFL in total offense and seventh in scoring offense during the regular season, and the engine that drives that offense is Saquon Barkley and the rushing attack.
Barkley’s first season in Philadelphia has certainly been a memorable one—his 2,005 rushing yards in the regular season set a new franchise record. Had Barkley not sat out Week 18, Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record may have fallen. Last week against the Rams, Barkley set a franchise record for rushing yards in a playoff game with 205. He gashed the Commanders for 150 rushing yards and two scores the last time the teams met.
The Eagles also have arguably the best offensive line in the NFL, and Jalen Hurts was third among all quarterbacks in rushing yards this season with 630.
If the Eagles have another game running the ball like the Divisional Round (285 yards, three touchdowns), you can punch their ticket to New Orleans.
Weakness: Inconsistent Passing Game
Fans of the Commanders won’t want to hear this, but among the four remaining teams, the Eagles are the most balanced. And quite possibly the most talented. Philly doesn’t have a glaring weakness on either side of the ball.
However, of late at least the Eagles passing attack has been rather stuck. Sure, you can attribute last week’s unimpressive 128 passing yards to poor weather. But over his last six starts, Hurts has thrown for 150 yards all of once.
A.J. Brown has been nursing a knee injury for weeks. Hurts picked up one of his own against the Rams. The Commanders have no choice but to sell out in an effort to stop Barkley and the run game. There will be opportunities for Hurts to make plays down the field in the passing game.
If Philly takes advantage of those opportunities, this game could be a rout. If they can’t, that could open the door to an upset.
X-Factor: Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell
For most of his rookie season, Mitchell has been outstanding—he’s allowed less than 55 percent of the passes thrown in his direction to be completed and has a passer rating against of less than 90. But Mitchell left last week’s game early with a shoulder injury and did not return.
Mitchell has already stated his intention to play in the NFC Championship Game. But if he can’t, Philly’s NFL-best pass defense will be rather thin on the back end. With Mitchell sidelined in the Divisional Round, Matthew Stafford of the Rams threw for 324 yards and a pair of touchdowns—in a snowstorm.
That Philly is just a 5.5-point favorite shows some concern from Vegas regarding the Eagles sealing the deal. If Mitchell joins linebacker Nakobe Dean on the shelf against Washington, those concerns will only be amplified.