After the Philadelphia Eagles dismantled the back-to-back defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, one thought is near the top of the takeaways.
How good are the Washington Commanders?
The 40-22 final tally was closer than Washington's 55-23 loss in the NFC Championship game. But to anyone who watched both contests rather than simply checking the box score, the Commanders played the much tighter contest at Lincoln Financial Field.
Before a few window-dressing garbage-time touchdowns, the Chiefs legitimately didn't even look like they belonged in the same sport as the Eagles. They were dominated in every single facet — Philadelphia's defensive front abused Kansas City's offensive line, and quarterback Jalen Hurts had a field day against their secondary. Again, this was a team trying to win its third Super Bowl in a row.
Commanders can take heart from their performances against the Eagles in 2024
Washington, at the very least, was able to effectively move the ball against that same vaunted defense. All of the Commanders' points came with the game well within reach. Before a crucial Austin Ekeler fumble late in the third quarter, the score was 34-23, with the Commanders driving at midfield.
The moral of the story here is that this Eagles team was one for the ages. Philadelphia's roster might not have a single weakness as it stands — it contains a generational running back thanks to the New York Giants' incompetence, the league's best offensive line, and possibly the best defensive line too.
It has two outstanding young cornerbacks (one of which was secured after a draft-day trade with the Commanders) and a pair of dangerous wide receivers with an upper-echelon tight end. While Hurts may not be the main reason they win, he's certainly good enough not to be the reason they lose.
Following their Week 5 bye, the Eagles lost one game all season. That was to the Commanders, albeit with Hurts out with a concussion for most of the way. Washington also played Philadelphia within one score back in Week 11 on Thursday Night Football, losing 26-18 in a game they led entering the fourth quarter despite Jayden Daniels dealing with a rib injury on a short week.
Simply put, Washington might just be closer to Super Bowl contention than it appears.
This Eagles team isn't going away anytime soon. However, it's no stretch to say their biggest competition within the NFC moving forward resides in the NFC East. And it's not the Giants or Dallas Cowboys.
As long as the Commanders address a few glaring holes this offseason, they should be right in business.
The rivalry between Washington and Philadelphia figures to reach all-time heights in the next several years. The Eagles are now the hunted, and the Commanders are in a great position to be the ones who can knock them off their throne.
Just how long that will take is dependent on the moves made by general manager Adam Peters this offseason.