Great scenario. Great storylines. Let’s get to the matchup…

1. Washington is a different team at home

The numbers say it all: The Commanders averaged 411.1 yards per game at home in 2024 (second in the NFL, behind Detroit), and the Commanders averaged 183.5 rushing yards per game (best in the NFL) and scored 29.7 points per home game. They controlled the clock and the game, averaging 32 minutes and 8 seconds of possession. These are impressive numbers, and they give the impression that Washington is very comfortable at home and feeling the home advantage. Obviously the Eagles need to play well, and they’ve done that on the road, losing only in Tampa Bay this season.

2. A quick start is a great way to play

What a difference those ten points in the first quarter made to the Eagles in their big win over Pittsburgh last week! Quarterback Jalen Hurts got into the rhythm early, distributed the football and got his receivers involved from the jump, and the Eagles cruised to a relatively sweat-free victory. Given the way Washington has been playing at home, it’s best to come out right at the start and put points on the board. Let Washington play from behind. Make this offense one-dimensional. It’s all a great vision, a wonderful theory, and it certainly won’t be easy. Washington has won its last two games and the Commanders feel like something is going on on defense.

3. CB Marshon Lattimore and his impact

Wide receiver AJ Brown stood at his locker Friday and talked about Marshon Lattimore: “He’s a great cornerback and I always look forward to going against great players in the game, honestly” — and so the challenge is out there. Lattimore made his Washington debut last week and played 49 snaps without a pass going his way. He changed the way the Commanders were able to play coverage in the win over New Orleans. So what does this mean for this game? Will Lattimore keep up with Brown and allow the Washington secondary to play directly against Brown and DeVonta Smith and fill the box to stop the running game of Saquon Barkley and the Eagles? Washington’s rookie cornerback, Mike Sainristil, leads Washington with 11 passes defended and two interceptions and gave the Eagles great competition in their first meeting.