The Washington Commanders have exceeded expectations this season, but they have one major issue: their inability to consistently stop the run on defense. They will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, and Saquon Barkley will be a significant problem for them. Barkley has been a dominant force this season, averaging over 160 rushing yards over his past four games, and has already run all over the Commanders twice this season.
The Eagles have a strong offensive line and good running back, and their dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts adds an extra dimension to their offense. Barkley and Hurts have formed a 1-2 punch that can dictate the pace of the game and cause defenses to hesitate on the snap. This puts the Commanders’ defense in a difficult position, as they struggle to stop the run and have given up 4.8 yards per carry this season.
The Commanders’ defensive tackle Jonathan Allen returned in December, but the team’s issues with stopping the run have not improved. The Eagles’ offense is well-equipped to take advantage of this weakness, and Barkley is likely to have a big game. The Commanders will need to find a way to stop Barkley and the Eagles’ running game if they hope to advance to the Super Bowl.
