Costly mistakes ended the Washington Commanders’ Super Bowl dreams in a 55-23 loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2024-2025 NFL Playoffs.
A lack of ball security was a death sentence for the visiting Commanders, as the Eagles scored 28 of their 55 points off Washington turnovers, who committed four turnovers during the game.
These mistakes shifted momentum in the Eagles’ favor, making it difficult for the Commanders to recover.
Penalties also plagued the Commanders throughout the game, creating a challenging uphill battle. One particularly unusual scenario involved Commanders’ linebacker Frankie Luvu, who repeatedly jumped over the line in an attempt to counter the Eagles’ infamous “Tush Push” quarterback sneak.
The tactic led to multiple penalties, and at one point, officials warned that continued infractions could result in an automatic touchdown for the Eagles.
Despite their efforts, the Commanders were unable to secure the win and fans will now have to shift their focus to the offseason.
Even though the Commanders fell short in the playoffs, the team experienced multiple successes during the season. The team made history earning its first NFC championship game spot in over 30 years and laid the groundwork for the following season.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels has emerged as the face of the franchise, becoming a central player for the team through his leadership and record-breaking play.
At his post-game press conference, Daniels said, “I couldn’t be prouder of the guys in the locker room. Year one, everybody not really knowing each other — rookies, doing a tremendous job bringing us in and helping us out. We all just meshed. We got to this point, but at the end of the day, we lost and it sucks. We’ll move on from this.”
Daniels, in his first season as the Commanders’ starter, broke franchise records with 3,568 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, along with 891 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, according to the NFL.
His ability to extend plays and lead the team in clutch moments specifically has resulted in notable moments already in his career.
The Commanders also had the support of seasoned NFL linebacker Bobby Wagner. Wagner is known for his leadership and playmaking ability. His veteran presence has helped elevate the team’s defensive performance, providing both a stabilizing force and experience to the young athletes on the team.
Less than two years after former owner Daniel Snyder was forced to sell the team, Head Coach Dan Quinn and the new staff steered the team to a 12-5 regular-season record, their best in decades, and a spot in the NFC Championship.
Quinn said in a post-game interview with FOX Sports, “They’ve created something together, this brotherhood that’s second to none. Not every locker room is the same year to year. So I wanted to make sure they took a few minutes to know what they’ve created here. And hopefully that’s the type of style and energy that we want to play with for years to come.”
With Daniels leading the way and a young roster of talent in place, the Commanders are set to be contenders for years to come. This season is the beginning of what could be a new era for Washington football.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
