It's time to close the book on the Washington Commanders' 2025 season, but not before they face one more battle against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Josh Johnson has already been named Washington's starting quarterback, and reports suggest the Eagles are likely to sit Jalen Hurts and most of their first-team contributors. All that's at stake here are bragging rights, especially after the two bitter rivals found themselves in a heated brawl two weeks ago.
The outcome of this game will change nothing for either team, but the Commanders will be ready to fight. Here are three bold predictions for how it might play out.
Bold predictions for the Commanders in Week 18 at the Eagles
Sam Howell gets on the field and makes a statement against his former team
One of the most intriguing subplots to watch is whether or not former Commanders quarterback Sam Howell will see any action for the Eagles. With reports that Hurts will have the day off, it feels like a safe bet that he will. Expect Tanner McKee to play the first half, and then the 2022 fifth-round pick will close it out after the intermission.
The question is how he does. During his lone campaign as the Commanders' starter, he had his moments. At one point in the season, Howell even led the NFL in passing yards. His issue was taking too many sacks, and that won't be a concern with the Eagles' offensive line.
He'll throw multiple touchdowns against the organization that drafted him.
Treylon Burks closes out the 2025 season with a bang
All indications are that the Commanders intend to play all of their healthy contributors, despite the game having no long-term implications. But it wouldn't be surprising to see some veteran contributors have a lighter workload than usual, with wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. among them.
That opens the door for Treylon Burks, as he looks to end his audition for 2026 on a high note. Ever since he was signed midseason, the former Arkansas standout has caught eight balls for 118 receiving yards and one touchdown. He's slid into the Noah Brown role as a big-bodied downfield threat, and Johnson will look for him early and often.
Commanders' effort isn't enough to take down the well-oiled Eagles machine
After the previous matchup between the Commanders and Eagles resulted in chaos, head coach Dan Quinn was unfazed. "It's all good. We play them again in two weeks," he said. But he should have known it wouldn't be that easy.
The Eagles boast one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, and should still be an easy favorite even if they sit out their key pieces. Washington is down to a shortage of second- and third-stringers due to all their injuries. While the Commanders will put up a good fight, they seem fated to be outmatched.
It will be one last humiliating blow for Washington's season, as McKee and Howell have their way with Quinn's woeful defense. The Commanders will do their best to keep up, but it won't be enough.
Final score prediction: Eagles 27, Commanders 17