Eagles flying to Super Bowl after crushing Commanders
Why it matters: The Birds have a chance to win the franchise's second Lombardi Trophy — and possibly avenge a stinging Super Bowl loss to Kansas City in 2023.
Driving the news: The second-seeded Eagles are going to New Orleans to face either the Chiefs or Bills on Feb. 9.
The Eagles put together their most complete game of the playoffs in their 55-23 win, with QB Jalen Hurts scoring three times, two on the Birds' patented "brotherly shove" play. The Birds scored seven rushing TDs in the game.
There was no comeback in store for Washington this time.
The Eagles' top-ranked defense stayed true to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's bend-but-don't-break philosophy.
They forced four turnovers — the Eagles converted all of them into touchdowns — and came up with a game-sealing, fourth-down sack of Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels that star running back Saquon Barkley turned into a knockout TD, his third of the game, a few plays later.
Zoom in: The win touched off celebrations throughout the city. Thousands of fans lined Broad Street, some climbing greased-up poles in pure euphoria.
In the Birds locker room, Philly rapper and influencer Gillie Da Kid donned an Eagles championship T-shirt while doing his viral "Blow the Whistle" shimmy.
Zoom out: The Empire State Building lit up green in honor of the Eagles and Barkley, the Giants' former star.
Even Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) got in on the fun. He wrote on X after attending the game with his sons that it was a moment they'd "remember ... forever."
Catch up quick: The Eagles (14-3) tied a franchise record for regular-season wins, powered by Barkley, who left NFC East rival the Giants in free agency to sign a three-year, $37.8 million deal with the Birds.
Helping douse the heat on head coach Nick Sirianni, Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards in the regular season, almost eclipsing Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record.
And he's racked up nominations for league MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.
The intrigue: Hurts is the first Eagles quarterback to reach two Super Bowls.
"We gotta finish," he said after Sunday's game.
"Don't doubt him," Sirianni told Fox's Terry Bradshaw about Hurts during the postgame celebration. "All he does is win."
What's ahead: The Eagles await the winner of Sunday's AFC Championship.
A potential rematch with the Chiefs would pit the Eagles against their former longtime coach, Andy Reid, plus tight end Travis Kelce, the younger brother of retired center Jason Kelce.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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