The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders don’t fraternize very often. Their two contests each season are battlegrounds for a fierce NFC East rivalry. And on Thursday, the two will face off in Philadelphia with legitimate playoff implications on the line.
The Eagles are a half-game ahead of the Commanders as they stare down the second half of the season. But Washington is a far better team than it was the last time it played in Lincoln Financial Field.
That starts with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The Heisman winner already had his coming out party on national television when he outdueled Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow on Monday Night Football. This time around, he needs no introduction.
Former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski spoke on WIP about the newest star quarterback in Philadelphia’s path to the playoffs.
“I don’t want to overblow what I am going to say, but I will,” Jaworski said. “He’s the best rookie quarterback I have ever seen. I’ve seen a lot of them. The guy has been absolutely phenomenal. His calmness, his ability to throw the ball deep, short, his anticipation. I watch his feet, he's very calm in the pocket. He's a guy that kind of plays with a smile on his face, he's enjoying playing football. He seems to have rallied the Washington Commanders. He's really been outstanding...It's remarkable for a rookie, I've been just blown away."
That’s high praise for a rival, especially coming from a quarterback as accomplished as Jaworski. It isn’t absurd, either.
Only Baltimore Ravens superstar Lamar Jackson has generated more expected points added per play. He’s one of the dozen quarterbacks with a success rate above 50 percent. He ranks sixth in completion percentage over expected.
Oh, and he’s turned Washington into a force of football nature. The Commanders’ punt to touchdown ratio is the best in the sport and the wins have followed.
However, Washington is yet to beat a team over .500. Subsequently, Daniels has the chance to prove himself against Philadelphia, and the Eagles can spoil the night of a budding star and help lock in their spot as the top dog in the NFC East.
With the nation watching, Jalen Hurts will have the opportunity to remind the league that he, too, is among the best in the sport.
