As I lean on my car basting in the cool ambiance of Sunday’s waning snowfall, the fresh memory of Saquan’s 72-yard touchdown run still gives me chills. The snap of the ball. The roar of the crowd. A moment etched in eternity.
Time was on our side with the long weekend. We decided to wait out the traffic and watch the late game. As the cars edged past, the faint honks and fuck yous danced around our windows to amplify the mood. Time enough to watch the Ravens versus the Bills. Time to consider the task ahead. Time to consider an Eagles vs Commanders NFC Championship game.
The Battle in the Trenches
In the first-ever Eagles vs Commanders NFC Championship game, it all starts up front. In the pass game on offense, the Eagles have a 67% pass block win rate, with Washington close behind at 66%. On defense, the Eagles and Commanders (dumb name) each boast a 43% pass rush win rate. A slight edge goes to Philadelphia. In the run game, Eagles have a 72% run block win rate, where this is the only place the Commanders beat them at 74%. On the other side of the ball, the Eagles have a 33% run-stop win rate, and the Commander trail with 30%. Again, by the numbers; a slight edge to Philadelphia.
However, as of Friday Cam Jurgens is still questionable for the Eagles vs Commanders NFC Championship game with a back injury. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday and was only a limited participant on Friday. If I had to guess right now, he plays, but if he doesn’t, it tips the scales for these fatties in the favor of the Commanders.
Passing Game Woes and Perspective
Now what’s going on in the passing game? The Hurts and the wide receivers are catching shit instead of passes over the last two weeks for some underwhelming performances against the Packers and Rams. Two weeks ago I’ll chalk up to Hurts still shaking off the dizzies. Against the Rams, we saw some uncharacteristic drops by Brown and Smith.
The first early in the game by Brown was completely on him and cost them a healthy game. The second, Smith got fuckin mugged, and were lucky the concussion spotter didn’t yank him from the game. The third by Brown was during the peak snowfall and there is no way he could have driven back in the ball properly. I’m not excusing it, I’m just saying the sky isn’t falling.
Defensive Back Matchups & Officiating Impact
On the back end of the defense for this Eagles vs Commanders NFC Championship Game, the Eagles have a squad and the Commanders have a guy. Eagles had the best pass defense this season and I don’t think it was close. Commanders look good against the pass on paper because teams were too busy taking advantage of them on the ground.
What I think will really come into play this week is how touchy the defensive backs get. Eagles starting nickel personnel accounted for 9 penalties throughout the regular season. Commanders nearly doubled that at 17, and they’re coming from the outside corners. The Eagles vs Commanders NFC Championship game drew Baby Hochuli, whose crew is good for 3rd most penalties called per game at 17.13. Not the most glamorous trend to point out, but it’s in the Eagles’ favor no less.
The Jayden Daniels Reality Check
Now when we bring Jayden Daniels into the conversation, everyone’s been on his dick the last week. But Momma Daniels ain’t having none of that shit for her boy, so let me pour some ice water on y’alls flamin’ rookie.
On the surface, Daniels had a better season than Hurts. Passing touchdowns: Daniels 25 to Hurts 18, passing yards: 3568 to 2903, QBR: 70 to 65. However, Hurts boast the 4th best yards per attempt in the league, while Daniels is 17th. Daniels also has a higher interception rate and was sacked 9 more times throughout the season.
Last week was a mirage. Washington got to play on an indoor fast track against a banged-up Lions defense. What a snake-bitten franchise, you gotta feel for them.
As for the run game, I already said the Commanders suck. It’s Barkley all day, I’m not gonna waste my breath on ole Swiss cheese leg, Brian Robinson.
Prediction: 31-21 Eagles, and Elliot doesn’t miss
Game Day Plans & Philly Price Tag
Now I just got the call that I have a seat for the game on Sunday. The ticket wasn’t cheap but I still got it for face. I just checked, the get-in price is nearly $600 and the cheapest thing in my section is just over a grip. I pity the fool who’s gotta pay “fees” on top of that nonsense.
All that savings aside, it didn’t stop Mrs. Lancaster from looking at the charges from last weekend’s game and being astonished at a $140 single purchase, and I didn’t walk out of there with some new Kelly Green. During the first quarter, I was about to buy a beer in the stands from the most Philly fuckin vendor in the joint. You know the one. Just as he asks how many, Hurts broke that first one for a touchdown. So, I bought a round for everyone I was with and a few who got caught in the crossfire. What the fuck else was I supposed to do.
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