Four things to look for in Commanders-Eagles on Prime Video, NFL+

• WHERE: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
• WHEN: 8:15 PM ET | Prime Video, NFL+

First place will be at stake when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Washington Commanders Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field, the biggest game for either team this season.

After Sunday’s win at Dallas, the 7-2 Eagles jumped back into first place in the NFC East for the first time since their Week 1 win. The Commanders had led the division every week since Week 2 until Sunday, when they lost to the Steelers at home.

Both Washington and Philadelphia enter the game with seven wins and 2-0 records in the NFC East entering Week 11. This is the first meeting between these teams, with both entering the game four-plus games over .500 since last week 12 in the 1996 season.

The Eagles have dominated the recent series between the rivals, beating the Commanders in five of the last six meetings. But this is a different Washington team than we’ve seen in some time. A win Thursday would have as many wins this season as in any year since 2012 and would be one step closer to their first playoff berth since backing into the postseason with a 7-9 record in 2020.

This is also the first meeting between Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts, who each rank in the top three in QB rush yards and have similar passing numbers in 2024. Daniels is the overwhelming favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Hurts has steadily improved his MVP candidacy with a bounceback season.

Here are four things to watch for when the Commanders visit the Eagles Thursday night on Prime Video and NFL+:

1) Commanders attack looking for a rebound. Sunday’s 28-27 loss to the Steelers came down to the final minute to decide, but Washington’s offensive performance in the game fell short of the gaudy numbers this group has produced. They had just one turnover Sunday (and have just four on the season) but were held to 242 yards. Jayden Daniels was held in check as a runner (three rushes, 5 yards) and thrower, held to a season-low 50% completion rate. Teams that have had more success against the Commanders have tended to do a better job of stopping their running game, and RB Brian Robinson Jr. has missed the last two games. There’s also the question of whether the league might adjust to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s system after their hot start. History seems to show that Kingsbury’s offenses — whether head coach or OC — tend to taper off in production as the seasons wear on. In Weeks 1-9, his offenses have averaged 26.6 points, 377.9 yards and 0.8 turnovers per possession. match. In Week 10 and later in his career, Kingsbury’s offense has dropped to 21.2 points, 331.6 yards and 1.5 turnovers per game. match.

2) It hurts, Barkley could be a tough twosome. Much has been made of Washington’s problems in pass coverage, but lest we overlook their problems stopping the run. They have allowed 506 rush yards over the past three games and are 29th in the NFL in yards per rush allowed (4.85). The Eagles run the ball better than each of the last three Commanders opponents and arguably better than any team Dan Quinn’s defense has faced. Saquon Barkley enters this game nine yards shy of 1,000 for the season and is on pace for more than 1,700. Before a tepid game in the blowout of Dallas, Barkley was on a tear; he has averaged 6.5 yards per carry. carry the last four games. Over the same time frame, Jalen Hurts has eight rushing TDs and has averaged 4.9 yards per carry. carry. The Commanders did a respectable job of containing Lamar Jackson earlier this season, but other mobile QBs (Daniel Jones and Caleb Williams) had some success against them. If they are not task-sound and do not bring the population to the ball, it could be a long night for Washington.

3) Commanders need better rear end security. The Commanders made a trade deadline to land CB Marshon Lattimore, but he missed Sunday’s loss and is out for Thursday’s game while still working his way back from a hamstring injury. Washington could certainly use him. CBs Benjamin St.-Juste and Mike Sainristil seem to have their hands full with the Eagles’ duo of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, who remain two of the very best at what they do, though Smith has had a few quiet games and Brown . has been kept out of the end zone in three straight contests. Top-tier receivers such as Ja’Marr Chase, Zay Flowers, Malik Nabers and Chris Godwin have had big games against the Commanders this season. Washington’s pass rush, led by Dante Fowler Jr.’s 8.5 sacks, has helped the defense hold nine of its 10 opponents under 253 passing yards. But Sunday’s loss to the Steelers featured several big-play breakdowns by the Commanders’ secondary.

4) Eagle killer Terry McLaurin will test the secondary. They call him “Scary Terry” for a reason. McLaurin has often been a lone wolf in the Commanders offense, yet he has consistently given the Eagles problems when he faces them, totaling 58 catches for 847 yards and four TDs in 10 career meetings. Over his past four games against the Eagles, McLaurin has averaged 94.5 receiving yards. But the Eagles have changed defensively with a new coordinator (Vic Fangio) and new DBs (Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean). Fangio will have his hands full trying to slow down Jayden Daniels as he runs and passes and battles with McLaurin, Zach Ertz and Noah Brown. But Fangio has traditionally done a good job of limiting big plays with two-high-safety looks, lighter defensive personnel and the occasional use of scouts versus athletic QBs. Still, at some point the Eagles’ DBs will be tested. Mitchell and Cooper have been upgrades over their predecessors, James Bradberry and Avonte Maddox, and the entire secondary has held up, well stocked with the likes of Darius Slay, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship and rookies.