Commanders Aim to Defy Odds in NFC Championship Against Eagles

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Washington Commanders, once considered a 150-1 long shot to reach the Super Bowl, are now just one win away from making history. On Sunday, they will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field, with the Eagles listed as 6-point favorites at ESPN BET.

Washington’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. The Commanders began the season as one of the least likely teams to contend for a championship, with their odds drifting as high as 250-1 after Week 3. A victory on Sunday would tie them with the 1999 St. Louis Rams for the longest preseason odds for a Super Bowl participant since the NFL adopted a 16-game schedule in 1978, according to SportsOddsHistory.com.

Despite their underdog status, the Commanders have defied expectations. A $500 Super Bowl bet placed on Washington at 150-1 odds in August by a Virginia bettor at Caesars Sportsbook now stands as one of the largest reported preseason wagers on the team. However, the Commanders were not a popular preseason pick, with 27 teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, attracting more Super Bowl bets at BetMGM.

Fast forward to January, and the Commanders have become the most popular bet at BetMGM for this weekend’s championship games. More bets have been placed on Washington to beat the Eagles outright than on any other outcome in either the NFC or AFC Championship Games. The Commanders are currently listed as +240 underdogs to win the game.

In the AFC Championship Game, the Kansas City Chiefs are 1.5-point favorites over the Buffalo Bills at ESPN BET. The Bills, however, have drawn the second-most bets at BetMGM to win straight up.

As for the NFC matchup, the Eagles enter the game as the No. 2 seed, hosting the No. 6-seeded Commanders. Philadelphia’s top-ranked pass defense will face a significant challenge in containing Washington’s rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, who has been electric this season. Meanwhile, the Commanders’ 30th-ranked run defense will need to find a way to slow down Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who is having one of the best seasons ever by a running back.

Analysts are divided on the outcome. Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia predicts a 33-27 Eagles victory, citing their superior roster and home-field advantage. Dave Zangaro, also of NBC Sports Philadelphia, echoes this sentiment, forecasting a 31-26 win for the Eagles. Barrett Brooks, a former NFL player and analyst, believes the Eagles’ physical run game and defensive prowess will lead them to a 28-21 victory.

Mike Mulhern of The Athletic highlights the challenges Washington faces, particularly the absence of their best offensive lineman, Sam Cosmi, who tore his ACL in the Divisional Round. Mulhern predicts a 31-24 Eagles win, emphasizing the impact of Philadelphia’s defensive line and the potential for explosive plays from wide receiver A.J. Brown.

As the Commanders prepare to take the field on Sunday, they carry the hopes of becoming one of the most improbable Super Bowl participants in NFL history. The Eagles, meanwhile, aim to secure their third trip to the Super Bowl in eight years. The stage is set for a thrilling NFC Championship Game.