Picture this: two NFC East heavyweights trading blows in the dying weeks of the season, one game clinching a division title and the other delivering a gritty upset on the road. That’s the story of the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles in their 2025-26 showdowns. If you’re digging into the Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles match player stats, you’re in for a treat. These weren’t just ordinary divisional scraps. They delivered big plays, record chases, and plenty of “what just happened” moments that still have fans talking.
I’ve pored over the box scores, rewatched the highlights, and honestly, these two games showed why this rivalry never gets old. The Eagles took the first one 29-18 on December 20, 2025, to lock up their second straight NFC East crown. Then, in Week 18 on January 4, 2026, the Commanders flipped the script with a 24-17 road win. Want the full breakdown? Let’s dive in, game by game, player by player.
Table of Contents
- The December Showdown: Eagles 29, Commanders 18
- The January Rematch: Commanders 24, Eagles 17
- Standout Player Stats Across Both Games
- Head-to-Head Comparison Table
- Tactical Insights and What Stood Out
- FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
- Final Thoughts on This Rivalry
The December Showdown: Eagles 29, Commanders 18
This one felt like a statement game from the jump. Philadelphia rolled into Washington and walked away with the victory that sealed the division. Jalen Hurts orchestrated things beautifully, while Saquon Barkley reminded everyone why he’s one of the league’s most dangerous backs.
Philadelphia Eagles Passing Stats Jalen Hurts went 22-of-30 for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns, no picks, with a crisp 111.1 passer rating. He wasn’t forcing throws. Instead, he spread the ball around and kept the chains moving.
Philadelphia Eagles Rushing Stats Saquon Barkley carried it 21 times for 132 yards and a touchdown. That long run of 48 yards? Pure burst. Jalen Hurts added 7 carries for 40 yards, and Tank Bigsby chipped in 37 more on just 4 touches, including a score.
Philadelphia Eagles Receiving Stats: A.J. Brown hauled in 9 catches for 95 yards. DeVonta Smith added 6 for 42 with a touchdown. Dallas Goedert snagged 3 for 32, including a 15-yard score.
On the other side, Washington’s quarterback situation was a bit of a carousel. Marcus Mariota started and went 7-of-14 for 95 yards. Josh Johnson came in and finished 5-of-9 for 43 yards but threw a costly interception.
Washington Commanders Rushing Stats Chris Rodriguez Jr. led with 15 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. Jacory Croskey-Merritt added 25 yards and his own score.
Washington Commanders Receiving Stats Terry McLaurin had 3 grabs for 53 yards, including a long of 40. Deebo Samuel and Treylon Burks contributed solidly, but nothing broke the game open.
The scoring tells the tale: Eagles built leads with efficient drives, capitalized on a late Barkley touchdown run, and held on. Commanders fought back with a couple of rushing scores but couldn’t overcome the turnovers. You know what surprised me here? How quietly effective Hurts was on the ground without needing to go full superhero mode.
The January Rematch: Commanders 24, Eagles 17
Fast-forward to the season finale in Philly. This one had a completely different vibe. The Eagles rested some starters, and Washington seized the moment for a feel-good win to close out the year.
Washington Commanders Passing Stats Josh Johnson stepped up big: 14-of-22 for 131 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He also ran for 45 yards and a score. First time since 2018 he had both a passing and rushing touchdown in the same game. Talk about a veteran moment.
Washington Commanders Rushing Stats Chris Rodriguez Jr. again led the way with 16 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. Jacory Croskey-Merritt added 29 yards on 13 carries.
Washington Commanders Receiving Stats Terry McLaurin delivered 4 catches for 57 yards. John Bates caught 2 for 13 yards and a touchdown. Deebo Samuel and Treylon Burks each had a couple of catches too.
Philadelphia Eagles Passing Stats Tanner McKee got the start and went 21-of-40 for 241 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Solid volume, but the efficiency wasn’t there.
Philadelphia Eagles Rushing Stats Tank Bigsby carried 16 times for 75 yards and a score. Not bad, but nothing like Barkley’s explosion earlier.
Philadelphia Eagles Receiving Stats DeVonta Smith had 3 catches for 52 yards (long of 27). Jahan Dotson added 3 for 40. Grant Calcaterra caught a touchdown.
Washington controlled the clock (over 34 minutes) and forced Philly into mistakes. That fourth-quarter comeback after trailing? Pure grit. And speaking of records…
Terry McLaurin quietly etched his name deeper into the history books in this one. He passed Pierre Garcon and Pat Tilley for 10th all-time in NFL receptions against the Eagles (now at 71). He also moved ahead of Gary Clark for fourth in career receiving yards versus Philadelphia (now 1,027). Honestly, this isn’t talked about enough. McLaurin has been the steady heartbeat of this franchise through some lean years, and these milestones against a division rival feel extra sweet.
Standout Player Stats Across Both Games
Let’s zoom out a bit. Jalen Hurts showed why he’s the engine for Philly in the first meeting: efficient passing, timely runs. Saquon Barkley’s 132-yard outburst was the difference-maker. On the Commanders’ side, Terry McLaurin’s consistency (7 catches, 110 yards across both) and those career marks against the Eagles stand out. The rushing attacks flipped too. Barkley dominated December, but Rodriguez and Johnson’s combo wore down the Eagles in January.
You might not know this, but divisional games like these often reveal more about team identity than any stat sheet. The Eagles leaned on star power early. Washington found ways to win ugly when it counted.
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
Here’s a clean side-by-side of the key performers in each matchup (stats combined where it makes sense for context):
| Player | Game 1 (Dec) Stats | Game 2 (Jan) Stats | Combined/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Hurts (PHI) | 22/30, 185 yds, 2 TD pass; 40 rush yds | Did not play (rested) | Division-clinching performance |
| Saquon Barkley (PHI) | 21-132, 1 TD rush | Did not play (rested) | 132 yards – game-changer |
| Terry McLaurin (WAS) | 3 rec, 53 yds | 4 rec, 57 yds | 7 rec, 110 yds + multiple career records vs PHI |
| Josh Johnson (WAS) | 5/9, 43 yds, 1 INT; 0 rush yds | 14/22, 131 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT; 45 rush yds, 1 TD | Veteran hero in Week 18 |
| Chris Rodriguez (WAS) | 15-63, 1 TD | 16-65, 1 TD | 131 rush yds, 2 TDs across games |
This table really puts the contrast in perspective. When the Eagles’ stars played, they dictated the pace. When the backups entered, Washington capitalized.
Tactical Insights and What Stood Out
Some experts disagree, but here’s my take: the Eagles’ offensive line looked dominant in December, opening holes for Barkley that most defenses couldn’t close. By January, with key pieces out, that same line struggled against Washington’s front.
On the flip side, the Commanders’ ability to run the ball with Rodriguez and add those timely passes from Johnson showed real growth. Defensively, both teams traded big plays, but Washington’s secondary forced McKee into some questionable decisions late.
Let’s break that down another way. Rushing efficiency decided both games. When one team controlled the ground, the other had to play catch-up through the air. Classic NFC East football.
Final Thoughts on This Rivalry
These two games summed up everything great (and frustrating) about Commanders-Eagles football: star power versus resilience, big plays versus clock control. The Eagles proved they’re still the team to beat in the division when healthy. Yet Washington showed that heart and smart football can steal one when it matters.
Looking ahead, I’m curious to see how both rosters evolve. Will Barkley keep punishing defenses? Can McLaurin chase more milestones? And what about the quarterback situations on both sides? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure. These matchups will keep delivering fireworks.
What’s your take? Did Barkley’s big day or McLaurin’s records impress you more? Drop a comment. And if you want deeper dives into specific players or the next season preview, just let me know. I’m always up for talking ball.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Who led in rushing yards in the Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles match player stats?
Saquon Barkley topped the charts with 132 yards in the December game. Across both contests, Chris Rodriguez wasn’t far behind at 128 total rushing yards with two scores.
How did Jalen Hurts perform in passing against the Commanders?
In the Eagles’ win, Hurts completed 22 of 30 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions. He didn’t play in the rematch.
Did Terry McLaurin break any records in these 2026 showdowns?
Absolutely. In Week 18 he set new career highs against the Eagles in receptions (now 71, top 10 all-time NFL) and receiving yards (1,027 vs PHI). He also hit franchise milestones for the Commanders.
What were the final scores of the two 2025-26 matchups?
The Eagles won the first 29-18. Commanders took the second 24-17.
How many touchdowns did Saquon Barkley score against Washington?
One rushing touchdown in the December victory. He didn’t suit up for the finale.
Which quarterback had the better rating overall?
Jalen Hurts posted 111.1 in his start. Josh Johnson’s numbers were more modest but included that clutch dual-threat performance in the win.
Will these stats impact the 2026 offseason for either team?
They already are. Barkley’s dominance reinforces Philly’s run-heavy identity, while McLaurin’s milestones and Washington’s late-season fight suggest the Commanders have pieces to build around.
