The Philadelphia Eagles lead the Washington Commanders 27-15 at halftime in the NFC championship game from Lincoln Financial Field.
Here are four quick takeaways from the first 30 minutes of action:
Turnovers cost Washington 14 points
The Commanders won two previous road playoff games at Tampa Bay and Detroit. In those games, Washington forced six turnovers and did not turn the ball over. On the Commanders’ second possession, wide receiver Dyami Brown fought for extra yards and fumbled, giving the Eagles possession at the Washington 48-yard line. Philadelphia would take advantage, ending a six-play drive with a Saquon Barkley touchdown run.
Later in the half, after a Philadelphia touchdown, running back Jeremy McNichols fumbles the kickoff with less than two minutes remaining in the first half, giving the Eagles the ball at the 24-yard line. A few plays later, the Eagles would score their fourth touchdown of the half to make it 27-12.
Marshon Lattimore was terrible
After Brown’s turnover on Philly’s second possession, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts completed a pass to wide receiver DeVonta Smith for a big gain to set up their second touchdown.
Later in the half, Philadelphia, facing a fourth-and-5, goes for it, and Hurts throws deep to wide receiver A.J. Brown for a 31-yard gain and a first down. The officials missed a holding call on Barkley, which would’ve likely changed things. However, Lattimore wasn’t done, later drawing a pass interference penalty in the end zone after the Commanders appeared to have a stop. The ball was placed on the one-yard line and Hurts scored on the next play.
Lattimore wasn’t done. He was called for a personal foul after fighting with Brown in the end zone.
Brutal 30 minutes for Lattimore.
Penalties
Lattimore was called for two penalties, both of which were the correct calls. Philadelphia got by with a Barkley hold on fourth down. However, cornerback Mike Sainristil was called for a late hit out of bounds on Barkley on third down when it appeared Washington had the stop to force a field goal.
That was a bang-bang call, but it highlighted Washington’s lack of discipline in the first half.
Great job by Jayden Daniels to steal 3 points
The Commanders had less than 40 seconds on the clock, and quarterback Jayden Daniels led them down the field for a field goal with two seconds remaining. It was a critical score for Washington, with Philadelphia receiving the second-half kickoff.
Daniels completed 15 of 24 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown in the first half. Daniels also led the Commanders with 31 rushing yards. Terry McLaurin scored Washington’s only touchdown.
