Published Jan 1, 1:13pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jan 1, 1:13pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Jan 1, 1:13pm ET
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| Philadelphia Eagles | -3.5 (-120) |
| Washington Commanders | +3.5 (+100) |
The Eagles do not know who they're going to play in the Wild Card. It could be the Rams or the 49ers. This game against the Commanders means nothing to them.
With that in mind, QB Jalen Hurts will not play. Tanner McKee will be under center.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni on what we could see in the development of Backup quarterback Tanner McKee on Sunday
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 1, 2026
āI think that when you see Tanner, he's really good about knowing where to go with the football, seeing the defense, and being able to deliver things accurately. It'sā¦ pic.twitter.com/iFnciaF7qf
Saquon Barkley has a $250K bonus waiting for him if he runs for 87 yards against Washington. But if they choose to sit him, it's safe to assume they'll just pay the bonus. That would be the wisest course of action instead of putting him at risk.
Will the Commanders try to exact some form of "revenge" for Week 16's accusations of running up the score and the subsequent on-field fight? Washington head coach Dan Quinn mentioned this game in some sort of veiled threat, but it's silly to expect anything to happen with the Commanders' season in shambles and the Eagles sitting their stars.
ALSO SEE: Seahawks vs 49ers | Week 18 Odds & NFL Pick (Jan 3)
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Lane Johnson, OT | INJURED |
| Jaelan Phillips, LB | INJURED |
| Nakobe Dean, LB | INJURED |
| Jihaad Campbell, LB | INJURED |
| Dallas Godert, TE | INJURED |
It has been a disastrous, injury-plagued season for the Commanders. The last thing they need is to get more players injured in trying to fulfill Quinn's implied threat after the previous matchup.
But discretion is preferable, given the circumstances.
Commanders Dan Quinn says he has players hungry to express themselves against the Eagles and expects the game to be a "hard battle" like it was 2 weeks ago at Washington pic.twitter.com/ode0IVvSSE
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) December 31, 2025
After a 3-2 start following up their surprising run to the NFC Championship Game loss to these Eagles in 2024, Washington has lost 10 of 11.
QB Jayden Daniels was shut down for the season weeks ago. Backup QB Marcus Mariota has injuries to his hand and quad and is doubtful. Journeyman veteran Josh Johnson is expected to start.
Just as the Eagles are sitting their key players, the Commanders will do the same, thinking about the future. Those hoping for the previous hostilities to reignite will be disappointed.
Washington is currently slotted in at 7th in the 2026 NFL Draft order. It makes no sense to even bother going all out in this game.
Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt missed a day of practice with an illness. Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil has an oblique issue and is not expected to play.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Marcus Mariota, QB | INJURED |
| Jayden Daniels, QB | INJURED |
| Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB | INJURED |
| Laremy Tunsil, OT | INJURED |
| Tyler Biadasz, C | INJURED |
| Nick Bellore, LB | INJURED |
For Week 18 Commanders-Eagles, the game is meaningless to Philly, the NFC East champs. They know they're hosting the Wild Card game against either the Rams or 49ers. Hurts is not playing. Do not expect Barkley or Dallas Goedert to play either.
Quinn has said he expects a "hard battle," but that's walking back his rhetoric in the aftermath of the fight-filled game in Week 16. Don't expect them to push too hard either, as players and coaches just want to put this disappointing season in the rearview mirror.
The underdog Commanders will keep the game within 3.5 points.
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Pick
Washington Commanders +3.5
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