NFL Week 16 Early Start Game of the Week: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders

by Travis Pulver |
Dec 22, 2024

The Philadelphia Eagles will try to lock down the NFC East title this week with a win over the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD. Kickoff for this pivotal contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on FOX.

The Commanders gave the Eagles a good fight a few weeks ago in Philadelphia, but the offense faded in the second half, opening a door for Saquon Barkley to get rolling and take over the game. However, the Eagles have evolved since then into a better team. Can the same be said for the Commanders?

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NFL Week 16 Early Start Game of the Week: Eagles vs. Commanders

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Details

Opening line: Eagles -2.5, O/U 46.5
Closing line: Eagles -3.5, O/U 45.5
Location: Northwest Stadium, in Landover, MD
Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Last Meeting: November 14, 2024 in Philadelphia — Philadelphia Eagles 26 – Washington Commanders 18

Overview

Philadelphia has already locked down a playoff spot but hasn’t secured the NFC East title and a home game in the Wild Card Round. On the other hand, while in the driver’s seat for the No. 7 seed in the NFC, Washington has not secured a spot in the playoffs (yet) but could still win the division.

To do so, the Commanders would have to win out, and the Eagles lose their remaining games, but that still wouldn’t be enough. Washington would still need help from other teams.

Does this mean the stakes are not that high for this game? For Philadelphia? Maybe. If the Eagles don’t secure the division this week, they can do so next week by beating Dallas. As for Washington, a loss would erase their Wild Card lead, but thanks to tiebreakers, they’d still be in control.

However, rivalry games like this do not need high stakes to make the game relevant. Both teams have things they need to fine-tune ahead of the playoffs:

Washington’s offense has developed a bad habit. After playing well in the first half, it often fades in the second, opening a door for the opponent to steal a win.
Philadelphia’s passing game looked great last week when Saquon Barkley was not in the game, but can it be effective without being featured in the offense?
The Saints didn’t test Marshon Lattimore last week. Has he picked up where he left off before his injury? Shutting down A.J. Brown would certainly be a good test.
Washington needs to be more consistent on offense. It seems to have lulls throughout games, which makes it easier for the opposition to catch up or extend their lead.

Trends

The Commanders lead the all-time series vs. the Eagles, 89-85-5.
Washington is 45-41-3 in home games vs. Philadelphia but has lost the last three.
The Commanders are 8-11-3 ATS when an underdog at home since 2020.
The Eagles are 10-15-1 ATS when favored on the road since 2020.

Bottom Line

The Eagles are expected to bulldoze the Commanders, but that was the expectation the first time around, and it didn’t happen. No, this game will be just as competitive as the first one, or more so, since both offenses will be more impactful.

Washington’s best defense will be establishing the run and keeping the Eagles’ offense off the field. The Commanders’ defense has proven it can get the Philly offense off the field, but once Jalen Hurts gets a drive going, the Washington defense is in trouble.

I expect this game to play out a lot like the first one. Washington will figure out how to neutralize Saquon Barkley for most of the game. But that short time where they slip, he’ll take over the game. The Eagles will win a relatively low-scoring game.

Pick: Under 45.5 Total Points (-110)

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