Jalen Boli and Saquon Barkley each had three rushing touchdowns as the Philadelphia Eagles shut out the Washington Chiefs 55-23 for the second time in three seasons.
The Chiefs would route three costly fumbles and a late interception in the contest, all four turnovers leading to Eagles touchdowns as the hosts ran away with the NFC Championship at Lincoln Financial Field.
Washington opened the scoring with the first of three Zane Gonzalez 18-play goals, which the Eagles responded to the first score that lasted just 18 seconds – Barkley broke for a beautiful touchdown in Philidelphia on the first play of Philidelphia.
It was one of two first-quarter TDs for the future Hall of Fame running back — who logged 118 yards on just 15 — his second coming after Washington receiver Dyami Brown fumbled his first fumble.
The Commanders cut Philadelphia to within two midway through the second quarter as Star Rookie Quarterback Jayden Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin for a 36-yard score, but that would be as good as things would get for the visitors.
They choked in the end zone and threw only a touchdown pass to AJ Brown – who was later scored by Marshon Lattimore after the earlier score – within the final two minutes, either side of the subdued return to the commander.
Statistics leaders
Washington commanders
- Passage: Jayden Daniels, 29/48, 255 yards, 1 td, 1 int
- Rush: Jayden Daniels, 6 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Zach Ertz, 11 catches, 104 yards
Philadelphia Eagles
- Passage: Jalen boli, 20/28, 246 meters, 1 td
- Rush: Saquon Barkley, 15 carries, 118 yards, 3 TDs
- Receiving: AJ Brown, 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD
Hurts second gallant score, this one a nine-yard squint, saw the Eagles stretch to 19 early in the second half, and although Daniels answered back with his rubber in the end 10 yards out – successfully taking the Two Point Conversion – another fumble from Austin Ekeler late in the third quarter allowed Philadelphia to all but finish the contender.
The Pains still recorded one more touchdown from down the stretch — despite several penalties called against the Chiefs for the injury — and Barkley finished his own rushing hat, while the rookie would get his first NFL td after Daniel's interception As the Eagles went on a score in the fourth quarter, becoming the first team to score 50+ points in a conference championship game since the Buffaloes in the 1990 season
Philadelphia will now face either the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl from their loss two years ago, or they will meet Buffalo in New Orleans in two weeks, with the Chiefs and Bills contesting the AFC Championship game in Kansas City.
What They Said: 'The Dream Conquers All'
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley: “I tried to put it down in my head, but it's unbelievable. The goal wasn't just to get here, it was to win. We're going to celebrate getting there and then I get back to work.
“We knew it was going to take a team effort. The team came out and made big plays and that's how you get to a super bowl.
“I always dreamed about it. But the dream didn't get there, it beat everything.”
Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni on Jalen's pain: “How about our kickback? He's a stud. All he does is win!”
Sky Sports' Phoebe Schecter in Philadelphia: “We talk about others who put their team on their backs and that's what Jalen did.
“He showed the world everything he can do, from the ability to connect with the above goals, but also from a tender perspective.
“It was a complete win for the team and they are ready for New Orleans.”
What's next?
The 2024 NFL season reaches its conclusion on Sunday February 9 with Super Bowl Lix at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, live on Sky Sports NFL.