Commanders-Eagles on Championship Sunday: What We Learned in Philadelphia’s 55-23 Win
By defeating the New York Giants 55-23, the Philadelphia Eagles secured a spot in the NFC Championship game, where they will face the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s what we learned from the thrilling win.
Defensive domination
The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense was the difference-maker in the matchup, as it held the Giants’ offense to just 301 yards and forced four turnovers. One of the key plays came when Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards picked off Daniel Jones and returned it for a 12-yard touchdown, which gave Philadelphia a 17-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Red-zone efficiency takes center stage
The Eagles made quick work of their scoring opportunities, going 4-for-4 in the red zone. This included a 3-yard touchdown run by Miles Sanders and a 2-yard touchdown reception by DeVonta Smith. Dallas Goedert’s 14-yard touchdown catch, in conjunction with Jake Elliott’s extra-point kick, made it a 14-0 lead for the Eagles before halftime.
Philly’s bench steps up
Entering the game, the Eagles were dealing with an injury bug, chasing after a jammed receiving corps. Nonetheless, coach Nick Sirianni trusted his backups, which proved to be a savvy move. In his first start, speedy wideout A.J. Brown, who recorded six receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown, filled the void left by injured players Zech McPhearson and Greg Ward.
Impressive individual performances
Quarterback Hurts, known for his dual-threat ability, had a quietly efficient performance, completing 16 of 24 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Miles Sanders, on the other hand, obtained 142 all-purpose yards, with 14 carries for 55 yards and one reception for 37 yards. For the Giants, Daniel Jones endured a frustrating outing, being sacked three times for 21 yards and throwing two interceptions.
Kevin Strong on the spot
The win demonstrates the Eagles are a complete team with expectations set on one game. Focused on their defensive and ball-hawking stripes, they scored their fair share of points without ever relinquishing control. Nick Sirianni has seen his team, which has defeated the Chinook and New Orleans, coexist and evolve, showcasing potential to clash with San Francisco’s strengths. The victory starts an exciting chapter in their Lombardi Trophy quest.
