Here are five key matchups to watch in this game.
Last season, Barkley rushed for over 100 yards 11 times in 16 games played during the regular season . This year, Barkley has done that just twice this season, most recently against the Chargers two weeks ago and back in Week 8 against the Giants.
This has the makings of another opportunity for Barkley to be heavily featured in the offense.
Washington ranks 28th overall in rushing defense, allowing 136.3 yards per game, tied for 27th in yards per attempt at 4.7 and the Commanders hardly stack the box, unlike Las Vegas, so there should be more lanes and space for Barkley to potentially rip off his signature long runs.
Similar to the favorable matchup for Barkley, Brown also has an advatagous situation heading into the game on Saturday thanks to Washington's inability to slow down opposing offenses through the air.
Washington's secondary has been torched this season, allowing the fourth-most passing yards to opponents at 246.3 while allowing 12 yards per completion, the most in the NFL.
The Commanders had to put its two starting cornerbacks on the IR in Marshon Lattimore and rookie second-round pick Trey Amos. Antonio Hamilton Sr. and Mick Sainristil are expected to be the two starting corners for Washington.
Last season, Sainristil faced A.J. Brown 23 times in coverage and allowed five catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on seven targets across two games last season, including the playoffs, per NextGen Stats.
Brown has dominated at Washington since becoming an Eagle. Since 2022, he has hauled in 21 catches for 312 yards and four touchdowns in three games.
Hurts rebounded from his career-high five turnover game against the Chargers with a clean game against the Raiders while throwing for three touchdowns. Turnovers should not be a problem for Hurts on Saturday.
Washington averages the second-fewest takeaways per game and have just eight on the season with seven interceptions and one fumble.
In nine career games against the Commanders, Hurts has 12 touchdowns to just three interceptions and of course, had the four-touchdown game against them in the NFC title game.
This season, the Eagles rank eighth in turnover differential at +4.
Both teams are dealing with injuries heading into this game. As expected, Jalen Carter will not suit up for the Eagles (shoulders) so look for the continued committee approach by Philadelphia to generate pressure on Marcus Mariota.
The Commanders will be without starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique). They also won't have one of the go to options of their offense in tight end Zach Ertz who tore his ACL two weeks ago against Minnesota.
Over the last two games, the Eagles have recorded 11 sacks with eight different defensive players recording at least a half sack during that stretch with Jalyx Hunt leading the way with 2.5 sacks and Brandon Graham had two of his own last week in the win against the Raiders.
We saw this battle pan out multiple times last season when then rookie Mitchell held his own against Washington's top wideout. Expect more tough battles between the two on Saturday.
Mitchell is turning in an incredible season and is on the track to being named an All-Pro with his performance in 2025.
In the NFC Championship game, Mitchell clamped down on McLaurin allowing just one catch on four targets for seven yards and an interception when he lined up in man coverage on 36 of McLaurin's 45 routes.
Against the Eagles in his career, McLaurin has had success with big games and finding the end zone. However, with the way Mitchell has been shutting down essentially every opposing wide receiver has lined up against, it looks to be a potentially tough day for McLaurin.
The Eagles and Commanders kickoff at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Northwest Stadium.
