The Commanders fell one stop short of the Super Bowl.
The Commanders were on the back foot almost immediately. Running back Saquon Barkley gashed them for a 60-yard score on Philadelphia's first offensive play. Turnovers and some questionable officiating caused Washington's demise. This was too challenging for a group boasting a lot of promise.
Although this is disappointing for fans, keeping the bigger picture in mind is crucial.
Nobody expected the Commanders to be in this position. They exceeded every expectation imaginable and the future is incredibly bright. General manager Adam Peters is just getting started and has a wealth of assets available to strengthen the roster this offseason. Washington is on the up after decades of misery.
What a journey this team took fans on. They went from a bottom feeder to the final four in just a few short months. Everyone is hurting right now. When the disappointment subsides and the players get a chance to reflect, they can be enormously proud of their efforts.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are three winners and four losers from Washington's championship defeat at Lincoln Financial Field.
Winners and losers from Commanders' NFC Championship defeat at the Eagles
Loser No. 1
Austin Ekeler - Commanders RB
This game came down to a few crucial moments. The Washington Commanders looked like they might make a fight of things when Jayden Daniels was marching his offense downfield. The momentum came screeching to an abrupt halt at the worst possible time.
The typically dependable Austin Ekeler was at fault. He caught the football on the ground and tried to get up for additional yardage. What the former undrafted free agent forgot to do was protect the football effectively.
Ekeler had the ball punched out of his grasp and the Commanders paid a heavy price. Philadelphia proceeded to march downfield for another score, which put the game out of sight.
This rounded off a poor showing from Ekeler, who mustered just 15 rushing yards from eight carries and 17 receiving yards from five receptions. Hopes were high that the veteran could make an impact after impressing against the Detroit Lions. That didn't come to fruition.
The Commanders have a big decision to make regarding Ekeler this offseason. He's a respected presence in the locker room, but Adam Peters would be foolish not to explore potential upgrades in the backfield to put alongside Daniels.
Zach Ertz - Commanders TE
Zach Ertz could be forgiven for feeling a sense of nostalgia. He won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles and remains beloved by their fanbase. But his sole focus was helping the Washington Commanders reach the grandest stage of all.
The veteran tight end did everything he could. Ertz got open consistently and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels trusted him to come through in key moments. There was one disappointing drop, but the former second-round pick out of Stamford put together a superb effort aside from that.
Ertz brought in 11 receptions from 16 targets for 104 receiving yards. His reliability and body control allowed Daniels to keep the chains moving. The Commanders came unstuck in the red zone more often than not. Even so, the Pro Bowler was one of the few shining lights amid the doom and gloom.
This season represented a road to redemption for Ertz. He got a hero's reception from Eagles fans upon leaving the field and shared an emotional embrace with ex-teammate Fletcher Cox in the tunnel. The Commanders fell short in the end, but his resurgence could see another contract come his way at some stage this offseason.
The Commanders shouldn't settle at any position group. However, keeping Ertz around on another one-year deal if he wants to continue his playing career would be wise.
Loser No. 2
Marshon Lattimore - Commanders CB
The Commanders were expecting big things from cornerback Marshon Lattimore following his arrival via trade from the New Orleans Saints. Those in power felt like his shutdown capabilities and willingness to lock up the league's best wide receivers were traits this defense sorely lacked. Unfortunately, things didn't go according to plan.
Lattimore struggled to shake off a hamstring injury. He never looked comfortable despite two impressive displays against the Saints and Detroit Lions. The four-time Pro Bowler went through significant complications at the Eagles and frustrations boiled over.
The Ohio State product found life difficult versus A.J. Brown. He gave up a crucial fourth-down drive and a defensive pass interference penalty in quick succession. He got flagged for unnecessary roughness after losing his cool and tussling with the wide receiver. Considering Lattimore's experience in big games, this was extremely frustrating.
Washington traded for Lattimore with the long-term in mind. Some in the media are speculating about whether he'll become a salary-cap casualty this offseason, which seems unlikely. Hopefully, some prolonged rest and a full preparation period with the organization could bring about improved performance levels next time around.
The jury is still out on Lattimore. A big effort is needed to turn the tide.
Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB
Jayden Daniels fought with everything he had. The rookie quarterback took on the challenge and tried valiantly to keep the Washington Commanders competitive. However, another outstanding effort was not enough to compensate for some critical errors from others.
Daniels set the tone immediately. He controlled the clock on the opening drive before Dan Quinn had to settle for a field goal. The signal-caller made smart decisions in the face of pressure and held his own versus an exceptional defense. But the turnovers killed any chance Washington had of making a difference.
There was an interception late in proceedings — Daniels was forcing the issue by then. He left everything out on the field and gave his absolute all. Others did not meet their end of the bargain and the Commanders' fairytale run concluded.
This defeat hurt Daniels more than most. He was visibly emotional after the contest and made his intentions clear about not wanting to feel like this again. It's the sort of mentality that allowed the No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft to galvanize this storied franchise much sooner than expected.
Daniels can hold his head high. He put together one of the greatest seasons for a rookie quarterback in NFL history. Building on this immediate success is the next challenge.
Loser No. 3
Dante Fowler Jr. - Commanders OLB
The Commanders had to make their presence felt in the trenches to stand any chance of beating the Eagles. Aside from a few flashes, it was largely underwhelming on both sides.
This was especially evident in the pass-rushing room. The Commanders couldn't get enough pressure on quarterback Jalen Hurts and Philadelphia exploited their inability to set the edge against the run. That's a bad combination going up versus star running back Saquon Barkley.
Dante Fowler Jr. didn't cover himself in glory. The former first-round pick got just 16 snaps after failing to make an immediate impression. His solid production throughout the campaign deserted him at the worst possible time. Washington's decision to reduce his role hinted at the team's lack of confidence.
Finding a way past Philadelphia's bookend tackle tandem of Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson is a tricky prospect. They are strong, athletic, and technically sound with a ruthless streak that comes across constantly. The Commanders didn't have the right quality along the line of scrimmage and the Eagles got whatever they wanted.
Fowler finished with just one tackle, which meant his campaign finished with a whimper. His 10.5 sacks during the regular season could mean he's given another short-term deal. That does not detract from the dire need to find another explosive edge threat at some stage during the offseason.
Winner No. 3
Frankie Luvu - Commanders LB
Frankie Luvu brings a dog mentality to the fight every time. He was the only defensive player who caused havoc from start to finish. It was another strong indicator of how important the ferocious linebacker is to the Washington Commanders' plans moving forward.
Luvu was always around the action. He was the only player who generated consistent pressure. The former undrafted free agent out of Washington State stood up to the challenge valiantly to no avail. It was a difficult afternoon where the Commanders were outclassed in almost every area, but he couldn't have done much more to swing the pendulum.
The second-level enforcer finished the game with four tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit. Luvu generated seven pressures and was flagged for two penalties when attempting to stop the tush push during a farcical point of the contest. If others had played anywhere close to this intensity, it might have been a lot closer.
Many players in the locker room are facing uncertain futures this offseason. That is not the case with Luvu, who emerged as a core foundational piece and the perfect scheme fit for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive system. Long may it continue.
Loser No. 4
Nick Allegretti - Commanders OL
There was more pressure on Nick Allegretti than most heading into the NFC Championship game. The Commanders were dealt a blow when right guard Sam Cosmi tore his ACL at the Detroit Lions. They needed their experienced left guard to perform above expectations to keep that side of the field secure.
Allegretti's got proven production on the biggest stages from his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. Counteracting the Eagles' vaunted defensive front represented a stern test of his credentials. He struggled to find the consistency needed.
Whether it was Milton Williams, Jalen Carter, or Jordan Davis lined up opposite Allegretti, they got the better of him. He couldn't keep oncoming rushers in front of him, leading to pressure and batted passes at the line of scrimmage. There was almost no push on running plays, which put the onus squarely on Jayden Daniels to work his magic.
Falling at the final hurdle is never easy. Allegretti was emotional on the sidelines in the game's final stages, embracing offensive line coach Bobby Johnson and veteran center Tyler Biadasz. He probably knew deep down that this was not his best performance, but it was a pleasing campaign from the player overall.
Washington will make adjustments to their offensive line this offseason. Allegretti should be part of these plans despite this lackluster showing.
