3 winners (and 4 losers) from Commanders NFC Championship defeat at Eagles

The Commanders fell one stop short of the Super Bowl.

Zach Ertz
Zach Ertz | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
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It was a sensational season for the Washington Commanders. Unfortunately for head coach Dan Quinn's squad, they came unstuck in the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Commanders were on the back foot almost immediately. Running back Saquon Barkley gashed them for a 60-yard score on Philadelphia's first offensive play. Turnovers and some questionable officiating caused Washington's demise. This was too challenging for a group boasting a lot of promise.

Although this is disappointing for fans, keeping the bigger picture in mind is crucial.

Nobody expected the Commanders to be in this position. They exceeded every expectation imaginable and the future is incredibly bright. General manager Adam Peters is just getting started and has a wealth of assets available to strengthen the roster this offseason. Washington is on the up after decades of misery.

What a journey this team took fans on. They went from a bottom feeder to the final four in just a few short months. Everyone is hurting right now. When the disappointment subsides and the players get a chance to reflect, they can be enormously proud of their efforts.

That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are three winners and four losers from Washington's championship defeat at Lincoln Financial Field.

Winners and losers from Commanders' NFC Championship defeat at the Eagles

Loser No. 1

Austin Ekeler - Commanders RB

This game came down to a few crucial moments. The Washington Commanders looked like they might make a fight of things when Jayden Daniels was marching his offense downfield. The momentum came screeching to an abrupt halt at the worst possible time.

The typically dependable Austin Ekeler was at fault. He caught the football on the ground and tried to get up for additional yardage. What the former undrafted free agent forgot to do was protect the football effectively.

Ekeler had the ball punched out of his grasp and the Commanders paid a heavy price. Philadelphia proceeded to march downfield for another score, which put the game out of sight.

This rounded off a poor showing from Ekeler, who mustered just 15 rushing yards from eight carries and 17 receiving yards from five receptions. Hopes were high that the veteran could make an impact after impressing against the Detroit Lions. That didn't come to fruition.

The Commanders have a big decision to make regarding Ekeler this offseason. He's a respected presence in the locker room, but Adam Peters would be foolish not to explore potential upgrades in the backfield to put alongside Daniels.

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