The Philadelphia Eagles are headed to Super Bowl LIX after a dominant 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship game on Sunday. Fueled by standout performances from Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, the Eagles delighted a towel-waving crowd at Lincoln Financial Field, reaching the Super Bowl for the second time in three seasons.
The Eagles offense began with an electrifying play, as Barkley dashed 60 yards for a touchdown on the Eagles’ first snap. Barkley’s explosive start set the tone for the evening, and the star running back finished with 118 rushing yards and three touchdowns. His arrival in Philadelphia this season has added a dynamic new dimension to an already potent offense, and his contributions in the NFC Championship solidified his place as a key factor in the Eagles’ Super Bowl run.
Hurts, playing through a lingering knee issue and wearing a brace on his left leg, showcased his dual-threat ability. The Eagles’ franchise quarterback rushed for three touchdowns and threw for 246 yards, including a scoring strike to A.J. Brown. Brown contributed six catches for 96 yards, adding another layer of dominance to the Eagles’ offense.
“We’re not done yet,” Hurts said after the game. “This team has been through so much, and we’ve worked too hard to let this opportunity slip away. We’re ready for New Orleans.”
The Eagles’ 55 points marked the highest total ever scored in a conference championship game since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Philadelphia’s offense was unstoppable, delivering both explosive plays and punishing drives that wore down the Commanders’ defense.
Hurts’ signature “tush push” quarterback sneak was on full display, none more memorable than his fourth-quarter touchdown that effectively sealed the game. Amid a sequence of repeated offsides penalties by Washington, an official humorously quipped that the Eagles would be awarded the touchdown if the Commanders didn’t stop jumping early. Hurts powered into the end zone moments later, capping a remarkable evening.
Washington entered the game riding high after stunning the top-seeded Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round, but rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Commanders’ Cinderella run ended against a superior Eagles squad. Daniels threw for 255 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but his efforts were undermined by four costly turnovers, including a pivotal third-quarter fumble by Austin Ekeler with Washington trailing 34-23.
The Commanders’ final hopes for a comeback evaporated when Nolan Smith sacked Daniels on fourth down in the fourth quarter, ending any chance of a dramatic rally.
“We left it all out there,” Daniels said. “This team fought to the end, and I’m proud of what we accomplished this season. But credit to Philly—they’re a great team.”
With their fifth Super Bowl appearance secured, the Eagles will face either the Buffalo Bills or former Eagles head coach Andy Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs on February 9 in New Orleans. The matchup promises to be a thrilling conclusion to a season defined by Philadelphia’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
“The energy in this city is unmatched,” Barkley said. “We’re ready to bring another Lombardi Trophy home to Philadelphia.”
As the Eagles prepare for their date with destiny, the “E-A-G-L-E-S! Eagles!” chants that echoed through Lincoln Financial Field will no doubt follow them to the Superdome, where Philadelphia hopes to cap its historic season with the ultimate prize.