If the stunning upset of the Detroit Lions isn't going to be the final act of their Cinderella season, the Washington Commanders need their defensive line to dominate the trenches in the NFC Championship game.
That won't be easy against familiar opponents the Philadelphia Eagles. Washington's NFC East rivals boast arguably the best offensive line in the NFL. It's a good thing a key member of Washington's defensive front is playing his best football in the playoffs.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. has been a prolific game-wrecker against both the Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He must be disruptive again at Lincoln Financial Field, but the defense end will also need the help of another key player up front.
It will still be all about the trenches when the Commanders are on offense. Losing right guard Sam Cosmi to injury in Detroit was a blow, but his journeyman replacement acquitted himself well. However, the Eagles present a much tougher test.
Commanders players who must dominate in the NFC Championship game
Jonathan Allen must own the middle
Jonathan Allen is still getting back to his best after spending most of this season on injured reserve. The Commanders need the defensive tackle at his peak at Lincoln Financial Field because he's rugged and aggressive enough to boss the interior.
Owning the middle will be vital for countering the Eagles' offensive line. There's no Jason Kelce over the ball anymore, but Cam Jurgens has proved a capable replacement.
He'll be missed if a back injury suffered against the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round keeps Jurgens out of this title game. One thing the Eagles might do is slide Landon Dickerson to center, where he's been working in practice this week, according to Sports Illustrated's John McMullen.
Eagles' Landon Dickerson on taking snaps at OC today: "Right now, it’s just Thursday practice, getting Cam some rest. It’s just kind of the way it falls with the rotation. I’m the backup center so serve there for practice and make sure that [Cam's] feeling good for Sunday."
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) January 24, 2025
The All-Pro left guard made the move against the Rams, so the Commanders will need a player with Allen's power and creds to turn this into a matchup win. Controlling whoever plays pivot for the Eagles will be the first step toward Washington slowing a dominant rushing attack.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. must continue playoff streak
Dorance Armstrong Jr. didn't live up to the billing as a high-priced free agent arrival in the regular season, but he's turned up the heat in the playoffs. The former Dallas Cowboys defensive end got in on a sack against the Buccaneers, before shredding Lions protection schemes in Detroit.
Two sacks and as many tackles for loss defined Armstrong's breakout game. The highlight was this strip sack to force a fumble from Lions quarterback Jared Goff.
NEED THAT 🏈
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
📺 #WASvsDET FOX pic.twitter.com/Egwnhg5rC5
Armstrong won't get as much change out of Eagles offensive tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, but he's somebody the Commanders can move all across the front. Head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. should keep him moving, sliding him inside to use his speed in obvious passing situations, and even putting him next to Dante Fowler Jr. or Frankie Luvu to overload the edge.
The Commanders won't win this game without forcing a turnover or two. Armstrong can be their best source of takeaways.
Trent Scott will need help if he gets the start
He filled in admirably after Cosmi left the field in Detroit, but Trent Scott will need help if he's called into action again in Philadelphia. The former Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers blocker will be going against the strength of this Eagles defense — the terrifying 3-4 defensive front of Jalen Carter, Milton Williams, and Jordan Davis.
Carter was a menace against the Rams, but the active 314-pounder doesn't have a sack in two games against the Commanders this season. Of course, his disruption often leads to big plays for others, and he was a big reason why the Eagles sacked Jayden Daniels three times in the first meeting — a 26-18 defeat back in Week 11 on Thursday Night Football.
Creative double-teaming can prevent Carter from taking over this game the way he did against the Rams. If Scott can't handle the job or the Commanders aren't 100 percent convinced, Quinn will reshuffle the deck further in front of Daniels.
Hardly ideal preparation for facing perhaps the toughest defensive line rotation in football.