It was a bitter division rivalry with a Super Bowl place at stake. One team kept their heads in the playoff pressure cooker. The other let their emotions get the better of them.
Unfortunately, the Washington Commanders were on the wrong side of the outcome.
It was an ill-tempered affair as expected. This was the biggest game for Washington in three decades, so the nerves and adrenaline were right on the edge at all times. But in high-stakes contests like this, the mental side of things is just as important as the physical.
The Commanders shot themselves in the foot with sloppy errors. They gave up four turnovers during the clash — three of which were fumbles when Washington was still fighting to remain competitive. Their lack of discipline also came to the fore as tempers flared throughout.
Marshon Lattimore got into a skirmish with Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown and things didn't get much better after that. It was one step too far for the Commanders, but they did remarkably well to reach this point after comprehensive changes across the franchise throughout the offseason.
Cam Jurgens slams Commanders for lack of discipline in NFC Championship game
Cam Jurgens wasted no time in sending a savage swipe Washington's way. The center, who battled through a back injury to come into the lineup when Landon Dickerson got hurt, hinted that the Commanders were all bark and no bite. Philadelphia focused on executing with great success.
"You guys remember what Lane [Johnson] said early in the week? (emotion doesn't win games, talk doesn't win games. Execution wins games). We executed, and they had too much emotion… They had a lot of damn emotion, and they were talking a lot. And we executed."Cam Jurgens
Jurgens is right. The Eagles had been in this situation before and knew how to handle themselves. Some players on the Commanders had been part of occasions with other teams, but it represented a journey into the unknown for the squad collectively.
They were taught a harsh lesson. One they must take on board to ensure the same doesn't happen again next time.
And make no mistake, there will be a next time.
The Commanders are on the up. This is just the start of Adam Peters' ambitious project to make Washington a perennial powerhouse. They are only going to get better once the playing personnel improves and Jayden Daniels gains more experience. Nobody will be aware of that more than the Eagles.
This is not the same walkover anymore. The Washington-Philadelphia rivalry was renewed this season. It was physical, competitive, and everything in between. And this was no flash in the pan — the Commanders are here to stay and make the Eagles earn everything moving forward.
Things didn't go their way in the final four. Jurgens' comments won't be a great shock. Everyone in the locker room probably feels the same. How those who'll still be around next season respond is critical.
It was a reality check following a fairytale run. But it also let the Eagles know that the Commanders are not going to roll over anymore.
Even if it worked to their detriment this time.