NFC East Matchup: Eagles and Commanders Meet on Prime Time
Philadelphia enters the game without Jalen Hurts, while Washington seeks a first win in over a year.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders will meet on Sunday Night Football, bringing two struggling NFC East teams together in a high-profile contest. Both franchises are looking to turn their seasons around as they face off in Landover, Maryland.
The Eagles entered this season with high expectations but are now in a difficult spot. They lost the first meeting of the year to the Commanders, 24-22, in Week 1. However, the current roster is vastly different from that Week 1 squad. The most major change is the absence of quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is out for the remainder of the season due to blood clots.
Injuries have decimated the Eagles' roster further. Running back Saquon Barkley has missed time with a hamstring issue and returned in Week 7 while still dealing with back ailments. He will play in this matchup despite those concerns. Wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks are out with hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell is also sidelined with a hamstring and quad injury.
Washington is in dire straits following a bye week. Coach Dan Quinn hopes to secure a win to steady the ship. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has played well since returning from an elbow dislocation, but the team lacks its top receiver. Terry McLaurin suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon in Week 8, leaving Daniels without his primary target.
Daniels has not won a start since Week 5 of the 2025 season. He has missed 10 games and gone 0-7-1 as a starter during that stretch. Despite the lack of wins, his recent performances have been strong. In a tie against the Giants, he threw for 199 yards and ran for 103 yards and two scores. In Washington's last game against the 49ers, he recorded his second career 300-yard passing game.
The statistical profiles of the two teams suggest a complex matchup. The Eagles rank 29th in points per game and 32nd in yards per play. The Commanders allow the 31st most points per game and the 22nd most yards per play. This creates a battle between a struggling Eagles offense and a porous Commanders defense.
Washington's defense faces additional challenges. Interior defenders Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw are out, with Payne suffering an injury on Friday. The Commanders' blitz-heavy scheme may find opportunities against an undermanned Philadelphia offense. However, the Eagles' defensive unit performed well in Week 1 against Washington, and analysts expect a return to that form.
The game carries historical weight for the Commanders. They have lost six straight prime time games. Only the Indianapolis Colts have a longer active losing streak in prime time, at seven games. This makes the upcoming contest a critical test for Quinn and his defense.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, at 8:20 p.m. ET. It will be played at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The matchup will air on NBC and stream on fubo. DraftKings lists the Commanders as 6-point favorites.
With no Terry McLaurin, the Commanders will likely rely on Stefon Diggs, Chig Okonkwo, and Antonio Williams. The Eagles offense, led by Tanner McKee, hopes to build on the progress shown against the Cowboys in Week 7. The outcome will determine which team gains momentum heading into the second half of the season.
