Yeah... The Washington Commanders might be a problem now. That most certainly isn't the lead we thought we'd be writing this morning. We had prewritten all of this stuff about the Philadelphia Eagles taking the NFC East's crown, and while that is seemingly part of this team's destiny, that discussion will have to wait for a week.
Today, our thoughts are all over the place. They include the usually-surehanded DeVonta Smith's dropped pass, Philly's defense surrendering 22 fourth-quarter points to the Washington Commanders, and Jalen Hurts' concussion.
Gosh, that loss in Landover seems eerily similar to the loss vs. the Atlanta Falcons way back in Week 2. And, to make matters worse, one of the Commanders' young stars may have forgotten that these two may meet again.
Mike Sainristil adds a little fuel to the fire and may have added steam to what might become an Eagles vs. Commanders playoff rubber match.
What a day! The Birds went from making Brian Robinson eat crow to forcing those of us who were bragging on them to eat a little ourselves. Philly led 21-7 after the first quarter and lost to the Commanders by a 36-33 margin.
So, Brian Robinson was right in a sense. The Commanders were the better team, for a day anyway. That's okay, these two NFC East rivals may see each other again in a few weeks.
Philly may be locked into the NFC's second seed now. It's highly possible that the Commanders will be the seventh seed come playoff time. If so, these two would meet for a third time this season in a postseason rubber match.
Rookie Mike Sainristil fanned the flames.
Mike Sainristil mocking Eagles fans after Washington wins
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) December 22, 2024
Washington scored 22 points in the fourth quarter pic.twitter.com/CIndJaVA0W
We won't take his moment. He can have that. Heck, Washington won. They earned the right to beat their chest some, but someone may need to tell him that his squad may see Philly again in a few weeks in a do-or-die situation.
Philly lost Jalen Hurts early in Week 16, and that changed the strategy on both sides. He'll be back. Once Philly wins the division, they will be assured that they will play in at least one playoff game.
That playoff game will be played in the friendly confines of Lincoln Financial Field. Philly will have the added motivation of avenging this loss. Washington got the last laugh in Landover, but another chapter figures to be written in this long rivalry.
Someone go tell Mike Sainristil, he's now on the wanted list. We've talked ourselves into it. Bring on the Commanders in the Wild Card Round.