On December 22, 2024, the Washington Commanders beat the Philadelphia Eagles 36-33 at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. This Week 16 game in the 2024 NFL season was a thrilling battle that kept fans glued to their seats. Both teams showed incredible heart and skill.
This article dives into the stats of the standout players from offense, defense, and special teams. We use clear, simple language so everyone can enjoy it, whether you’re a die-hard fan or just learning about football. All data comes from trusted sources like NFL.com, ESPN, and Pro-Football-Reference to ensure accuracy. Our goal is to show who made the biggest impact and why, without any confusion.
The Eagles entered with a 10-game winning streak, but the Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, staged a comeback. Daniels threw a touchdown pass with just 6 seconds left to secure the win. This victory improved Washington’s record to 10-5, boosting their playoff chances. Philadelphia, now 12-3, remained strong in the NFC East.
We’ll break down yards, touchdowns, tackles, and more, explaining what each stat means and why it matters. Let’s start with the offense.
Offensive Stars: Who Moved the Ball?
Offense is about scoring points through passing, running, or kicking. Both teams had players who shined brightly. Here are the top performers.
Jayden Daniels: The Rookie Hero
Jayden Daniels, Washington’s 23-year-old quarterback, played like a veteran. He threw for 288 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran for 85 yards and scored 1 touchdown. That’s a total of 373 yards!
Why is this a big deal? Most quarterbacks focus on passing, but Daniels is also a fast runner. His speed helps him dodge defenders. In the final minute, he led a 57-yard drive and threw the winning touchdown to Jamison Crowder. Despite two interceptions earlier, he stayed calm, showing he can learn from mistakes.
Daniels has over 3,500 passing yards this season, making him a top rookie. Facing the Eagles’ number-one defense was a huge challenge, and he rose to the occasion.
Saquon Barkley: Philly’s Running Star
Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ running back, started strong. In the first quarter alone, he ran for 109 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. By the end, he had 148 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 catches for 10 yards.
Rushing yards show how far he ran with the ball before being tackled. Touchdowns are worth 6 points. Barkley’s early runs gave Philly a 14-0 lead. The Commanders slowed him down later, but his impact was huge.
Barkley joined the Eagles in 2024 after playing for the Giants. He has over 1,500 rushing yards this year, making him one of the NFL’s best runners. With quarterback Jalen Hurts injured early, Barkley kept the offense moving.
Terry McLaurin: Washington’s Trusted Receiver
Terry McLaurin, a Commanders wide receiver, is great at catching tough passes. He had 8 catches for 149 yards and 1 touchdown—his best game against the Eagles.
Yards after catch show how far he ran after catching the ball. His touchdown came from a long pass by Daniels. McLaurin now has over 900 career yards against Philly, a milestone no other team has reached with him.
In his sixth season, McLaurin has over 450 catches, a Commanders record for a player’s first 6 years. He’s a leader who helps younger players like Daniels.
A.J. Brown: Philly’s Big-Play Maker
A.J. Brown, an Eagles wide receiver, is tall, strong, and hard to tackle. With backup quarterback Kenny Pickett playing after Hurts’ injury, Brown caught 6 passes for 80 yards and 1 touchdown.
His 4-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter kept the Eagles close. Against Washington this year, Brown has 19 catches for 258 yards and 2 touchdowns across three games. His average of over 13 yards per catch makes him a big-play threat.
Brown missed some games earlier due to injury but is now a key part of Philly’s playoff push.
Noah Brown: Washington’s Hidden Gem
Noah Brown, another Commanders receiver, had a big day. He caught 5 passes for 108 yards and a 28-yard touchdown.
This was his best game of 2024. When defenses focus on McLaurin, Brown finds open space. At 28, his experience from playing with Cleveland and Dallas helps the team.
Other Offensive Notes
- Austin Ekeler ran for 62 yards for Washington.
- Brian Robinson Jr. added 42 rushing yards.
- Philly’s Kenneth Gainwell ran for 29 yards.
- Washington’s Zach Ertz, a former Eagle, caught a late touchdown and a 2-point conversion, adding a personal touch to the win.
The offense was exciting—passes soared, and runs broke through defenders.
Offensive Stats Table
Here’s a quick look at the top offensive players’ stats:
Defensive Standouts: Who Stopped the Plays?
Defense is about stopping the other team from scoring. They tackle, sack quarterbacks, and steal the ball. Both teams had strong defenses, but Washington’s made the difference.
Frankie Luvu: Washington’s Tackle King
Linebacker Frankie Luvu led Washington with 11 tackles and 1 sack. Tackles stop plays, and sacks knock quarterbacks back, causing yardage losses.
Luvu’s speed lets him cover runs and passes. He pressured Pickett often. Earlier this season, he hit Eagles QB Jalen Hurts hard. With over 100 tackles in 2024, Luvu is a free agent Washington hopes to keep.
Zack Baun: Philly’s Turnover Creator
Philadelphia linebacker Zack Baun had 9 tackles and forced a fumble. His fumble stopped a Washington drive.
Baun is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. He’s quick at reading plays. Undrafted in 2020, he’s now a vital part of Philly’s top defense.
Josh Sweat: Philly’s Sack Machine
Defensive end Josh Sweat had 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss. His pressure on Daniels was relentless.
Philly’s defensive line, including Sweat, leads the NFL in sacks. His work kept the game close.
Dante Fowler Jr.: Washington’s Pass Rusher
Defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. had 1.5 sacks and 4 tackles. He joined Washington mid-2024 from Dallas.
His sacks on Pickett slowed Philly’s offense. Fowler has 10 sacks this season, his best since 2019.
Secondary Players
- Eagles’ rookie corner Quinyon Mitchell defended 2 passes.
- Washington’s safety Darrick Forrest caught an interception.
Washington’s defense stopped Philly near the goal line, which was key to the win.
Defensive Stats Table
Here’s a summary of the top defensive players’ stats:
Defensive Impact Chart
To show the defensive impact, here’s a chart comparing tackles and sacks for the top defenders:
Special Teams: Kickers and Returners
Special teams handle kicks, punts, and returns, and they can change a game in one play.
Jake Elliott: Philly’s Steady Kicker
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott made 3 field goals from 42, 45, and 48 yards. He’s 25-of-29 in 2024 and holds Philly’s record for most 50+ yard field goals in a season. His kicks kept the Eagles in the game.
Austin Seibert: Washington’s Game-Tying Kicker
Commanders kicker Austin Seibert also made 3 field goals (36, 40, 50 yards) and 3 extra points. His 50-yard kick tied the game late.
Seibert is 90% accurate in 2024, stepping up after replacing Joey Slye. His kicks were crucial.
Return Game
No big returns stood out. Washington’s Olamide Zaccheaus caught punts cleanly. Philly’s Britain Covey averaged 10 yards per punt return.
Special teams were reliable, helping both sides in a tight game.
Special Teams Stats Table
Here’s a look at the kickers’ performance:
Team Stats Comparison
Here’s how the teams compared overall:
Washington passed for more yards, while Philly ran better. The Commanders held the ball longer, getting more plays. Daniels’ turnovers hurt, but the defense made big stops.
Offensive Yards Chart
Here’s a chart comparing the teams’ passing and rushing yards:
Season and Playoff Impact
This win pushed Washington to 10-5, putting them in the playoff race, likely as a wild card. Daniels’ clutch performance strengthens his case as a top rookie.
Philly’s 10-game win streak ended, and Hurts’ injury (concussion check) raised concerns. Still, with Barkley and a strong defense, they clinched the NFC East later. In the playoffs, Philly dominated Washington 55-23 in the NFC Championship, with Barkley rushing for 118 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Historically, Washington leads the rivalry 72-71-4. These games are always close.
Conclusion
The December 22, 2024, Commanders-Eagles game was unforgettable. Jayden Daniels’ 373 yards and game-winning touchdown outshined Saquon Barkley’s 148 rushing yards. Defenders like Luvu and Baun fought hard. Kickers Elliott and Seibert were clutch.
This breakdown highlights every key player’s impact. The stats show skill, heart, and drama. For more details, visit NFL.com. This game reminds us why football is so exciting.
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