What a journey it's been for the Washington Commanders this season. For those within the building, the hard work is far from over.
There is immense hope for the future, but nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. An opportunity like this might not come along again. After all, it's been more than three decades since Washington was last in the NFC Championship game.
Fans are savoring the moment. They've grown in confidence and belief that anything is possible. Dan Quinn, his staff, and the players have earned that trust following a campaign to remember.
The Commanders are one game away from the Super Bowl. It's a surreal feeling for the team's long-suffering fanbase. The players are taking everything in their stride, focusing on the next challenge and nothing more. Quinn is ensuring everyone is avoiding outside distractions and keeping their foot on the pedal.
This is also a fierce division rivalry to further enhance intrigue. The Philadelphia Eagles are confident they can win their rubber match on home soil after splitting the regular-season series with Washington. They should also be aware that the Commanders are not going to roll over and accept their underdog tag.
A fascinating battle awaits. Before then, here are five bold Commanders' predictions this weekend at Lincoln Financial Field.
Bold predictions for the Commanders in NFC Championship game at the Eagles
Jeremy Chinn gains 12+ tackles
The Washington Commanders' decision regarding Jeremy Chinn's future is becoming pretty simple. His improvements are notable and the safety's influence is growing. When the postseason arrived, the former second-round selection took things up a notch.
Chinn leads all players in tackles during the playoffs. He's a dynamic force capable of being impactful in all three phases. However, his presence will be needed at the defensive second level frequently in this one.
It's all hands on deck for the Commanders in their quest to thwart running back Saquon Barkley. Washington has done a better job than most of containing him. They started well in the first game before he broke off two big runs late. Joe Whitt Jr.'s unit began slowly against the Penn State product at Northwest Stadium but adjusted well in the second half.
Putting it all together for four quarters is a different challenge entirely. Chinn will be at the heart of that, providing instinctive playmaking to identify running lanes and explosiveness at the contact point.
If Chinn gains 12 or more tackles and most are closer to the line of scrimmage than not, it'll be a massive boost.
Terry McLaurin gains 100+ receiving yards
Terry McLaurin is thoroughly deserving of all the newfound adulation coming his way. The wide receiver was always highly regarded around the league. Now that the Washington Commanders are gaining headlines for all the right reasons, everyone is aware of his immense talent.
McLaurin is appreciating the moment. He went through some tough times under previous regimes and stayed professional amid the perennial underachievement. This also means the wideout isn't settling. He wants more and his teammates are following suit.
It's hard to gauge the respect McLaurin is held within the locker room. He's the consummate professional and a supreme leader of men. This makes him an integral force on and off the field this weekend.
The former third-round pick out of Ohio State gained six receptions for 70 receiving yards and one touchdown in two regular-season games against the Philadelphia Eagles. More will be required if Washington wants to make the Super Bowl.
Expect to see McLaurin lined up against promising rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. He came out of last weekend's game against the Los Angeles Rams with an injury but is going to tough it out with everything at stake. Testing him early could be a recipe for success.
If McLaurin can get to the 100-yard receiving yards mark, the better Washington's chances will be.
Marshon Lattimore concedes less than 40 receiving yards
Marshon Lattimore looked much more like his old self last time out versus the Detroit Lions. The cornerback shut down his side of the field comfortably, being targeted just once and breaking up the pass. This was exactly what the Commanders had in mind when they secured his services via trade from the New Orleans Saints.
Lattimore is starting to look healthy, which is the biggest positive above all else. The four-time Pro Bowler came into the Commanders with a hamstring issue that took time to shake off. He played twice in the regular season, but the complication flared up again during a colossal collision with Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown.
There was a lot of back and forth between the pair. It was a physical battle with no quarter given. Now that Lattimore has two playoff games and three weeks of unrestricted practice under his belt, he'll be confident of leaving his mark.
A few eyebrows were raised when the Commanders swooped for Lattimore. Adam Peters wanted to build through the draft and was supposedly stockpiling assets. With the team ahead of schedule and ready to make some noise in the postseason, he was aggressive much sooner than anticipated.
Lattimore is a big-game performer. He relishes these moments. If he can do his part and hold Brown — or whoever else he'll be up against — under 40 receiving yards, that's one side of the field secure.
Jayden Daniels plays turnover-free football
Jayden Daniels is calm through the chaos. Many rookie quarterbacks get flustered at some stage during their first season in the pros. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft hasn't flinched.
If anything, he's only getting better.
The higher the stakes, the more Daniels thrives. He's highly competitive with elite-level poise. He genuinely believes that nothing is going to stop him from reaching his goals. Very few have found the right answers to counteract his exceptional gifts.
Daniels' first game at the Philadelphia Eagles this season didn't go well. The Washington Commanders were soundly beaten on Thursday Night Football and the Heisman Trophy winner wasn't his typically efficient self. However, there was a big mitigating circumstance attached.
The former LSU star was dealing with a rib issue that hindered his performance levels. There was no real confidence from Daniels' perspective to take off and run for fear of doing further damage to the complication. He turned the tide a few short weeks later, leading a sensational fightback to all but confirm Washington's playoff berth.
One of the biggest positives surrounding Daniels throughout the knockout rounds centers on his ball security. He's making smart decisions, he's protecting the football, and has not conceded a turnover in two high-stakes games on the road.
If Daniels can do the same again at Lincoln Financial Field, the Commanders have a legitimate shot.
Commanders' fairytale run reaches the Super Bowl
The Commanders are on a sensational run very few thought possible. They've gone from a bottom feeder to a dark-horse challenger and later, a genuine contender, in a few short months. And make no mistake, confidence is high in the building that this group can go one step further and reach the Super Bowl.
Washington is one game away from being the NFC's representative in the biggest contest of all. These opportunities don't come along every day. It won't be easy, but taking advantage of this chance is crucial.
The Eagles will fancy their chances. They boast a dominant defense and some exceptional weapons on the offensive side. Nothing but supreme commitment and outstanding execution in a hostile environment will do.
Dan Quinn's been eager to keep everyone's feet on the ground. There is no reveling in the limelight. There is no looking further ahead than the next challenge. It's got them this far, so who's to say it cannot go one more step en route to the NFC Championship crown?
It's been a generation since the Commanders found themselves in this spot. The dark cloud has been lifted and opportunity knocks. The Eagles will be ready, but Washington is going to give it everything in yet another win-or-go-home scenario.
The Commanders are underdogs, but that's not bothered them before. That'll be the case again.
