Posted on Jan 05

Eagles lose to Commanders, secure No. 3 seed; McKee, Smith shine in finale

Posted Jan 5, 2026

The Philadelphia Eagles locked in the No. 3 seed for the playoffs after a disappointing loss to the Washington Commanders, complicating their postseason path.

Why it matters: The Eagles defeat not only affected their seeding but also sets up a challenging matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

The Eagles needed a victory over Washington and a Chicago Bears loss to secure the No. 2 seed.
Instead, with the Lions defeating the Bears 19-16, they missed an opportunity to enhance their playoff positioning.

What’s new: Tanner McKee had a notable performance despite the loss, completing 21 of 40 passes for 241 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

This was McKee's first significant start of the season as he filled in at quarterback.
Wide receiver DeVonta Smith reached the 1,000-yard milestone for the third time in his career, catching three passes for 52 yards.

Yes, but: Despite individual achievements, the Eagles’ coaching staff faces scrutiny for their decision-making, particularly regarding player rest.

Head coach Nick Sirianni defended the strategy, stating, "You go through your process, you make what you think is the best decision for the football team."
Meanwhile, safety Reed Blankenship emphasized the importance of recovery heading into the playoffs, preferring to rest than risk injury.

What to watch: As they head into the playoffs, the Eagles will need to tighten their defensive strategies against a formidable 49ers offense.

Defensive end Brandon Graham highlighted the need to contain San Francisco's running game, specifically mentioning star running back Christian McCaffrey.
The 49ers averaged 36 points over a six-game win streak before their recent 13-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, showcasing the urgency for the Eagles’ defense.

The bottom line: The Eagles now face a pivotal moment in the postseason, where past decisions will be tested on the field against a strong opponent.

Their ability to regroup and strategize effectively could determine how far they advance in the playoffs.
With key players like McKee and Smith stepping up, the team's dynamics are shifting just as they enter the most critical phase of their season.

Eagles lose to Commanders, secure No. 3 seed; McKee, Smith shine in finale

Alex Parker

Posted Jan 5, 2026

The Philadelphia Eagles locked in the No. 3 seed for the playoffs after a disappointing loss to the Washington Commanders, complicating their postseason path.

Why it matters: The Eagles defeat not only affected their seeding but also sets up a challenging matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

The Eagles needed a victory over Washington and a Chicago Bears loss to secure the No. 2 seed.

Instead, with the Lions defeating the Bears 19-16, they missed an opportunity to enhance their playoff positioning.

What’s new: Tanner McKee had a notable performance despite the loss, completing 21 of 40 passes for 241 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

This was McKee's first significant start of the season as he filled in at quarterback.

Wide receiver DeVonta Smith reached the 1,000-yard milestone for the third time in his career, catching three passes for 52 yards.

Yes, but: Despite individual achievements, the Eagles’ coaching staff faces scrutiny for their decision-making, particularly regarding player rest.

Head coach Nick Sirianni defended the strategy, stating, "You go through your process, you make what you think is the best decision for the football team."

Meanwhile, safety Reed Blankenship emphasized the importance of recovery heading into the playoffs, preferring to rest than risk injury.

What to watch: As they head into the playoffs, the Eagles will need to tighten their defensive strategies against a formidable 49ers offense.

Defensive end Brandon Graham highlighted the need to contain San Francisco's running game, specifically mentioning star running back Christian McCaffrey.

The 49ers averaged 36 points over a six-game win streak before their recent 13-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, showcasing the urgency for the Eagles’ defense.

The bottom line: The Eagles now face a pivotal moment in the postseason, where past decisions will be tested on the field against a strong opponent.

Their ability to regroup and strategize effectively could determine how far they advance in the playoffs.

With key players like McKee and Smith stepping up, the team's dynamics are shifting just as they enter the most critical phase of their season.