It's taken 16 weeks, but the Washington Commanders will finally meet the Philadelphia Eagles for the first time during the 2025 season.
The "season" part is important to note because these teams have met in 2025. That was in the previous campaign's NFC Championship game. As hard as it is to believe, Washington was in that position only 11 months ago.
Revenge will be on the Commanders' minds after losing that game 55-23. The Eagles have a chance to clinch the NFC East at Northwest Stadium, and it's up to Washington to spoil their party. Here are three bold predictions for how the bitter grudge match might shake out.
Wildly bold predictions for the Commanders' game against the Eagles
Frankie Luvu makes a rivalry statement
Not even Jeff Bridges in The Big Lebowski hates the Eagles as much as Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu does. And they hate him, too.
Last season, Luvu was responsible for a controversial hit on quarterback Jalen Hurts that knocked him out of the team's regular-season contest in Washington. Then, of course, he took matters into his own hands in the playoffs, attempting to stop Philadelphia's "tush push" play. He was unsuccessful, but his entertaining display of determination made him an instant Commanders cult hero.
Luvu hasn't sustained his All-Pro level of play this year, recording only three sacks. But you know he's got this one marked on his calendar. He's ready to embrace the villain role once again, so expect him to be quite visible on Saturday.
We'll go ahead and predict his first multi-sack performance of 2025.
Marcus Mariota outplays Jalen Hurts, who he was once a backup to
Eagles fans hate nothing more than being reminded that their success comes despite their quarterback, because it's true. When they win, it's usually because of a dominant defensive display or their elite offensive line allowing running back Saquon Barkley to wreak havoc. When they lose, it's because Hurts isn't good enough to do the heavy lifting.
On the other hand, Marcus Mariota — who was with the Eagles in 2023 — is going to have to bring his best for Washington to have a chance in this one. For the most part, he's been up to the task this season. Win or lose, the NFL world should come away from this one more impressed with the quarterback play on the Commanders' side.
Commanders hold serve to stun the Eagles
It's been a nightmare season for the Commanders, but it could always get worse. They could have their hated rivals clinch the division on their home field, all while their fan base invades Landover with "E-A-G-L-E-S" chants (hopefully spelled correctly). Let's not let that happen, please.
It won't. Not this week, anyway.
Philadelphia's offense has been off all year, and the Commanders have fought for their lives when Mariota has been under center. They have nothing but their pride to play for, which could be enough to carry them to their biggest win of 2025 in a low-scoring slugfest.
Final score prediction: Commanders 20, Eagles 17