The Philadelphia Eagles got to enjoy a comfortable weekend before Christmas. On Saturday, they clinched a playoff berth and the NFC East title with a 29-18 victory over their division-rival Commanders in a game that wasn’t really as close as the final score might indicate. With the win, the Eagles officially eliminated the Cowboys from the playoffs, a final cherry on top for Philly fans.
In the game, Eagles RB Saquon Barkley was dominant, rushing for 132 yards on just 21 carries for a 6.3 yards per carry average, adding a touchdown as well. Philadelphia’s defense locked down, holding the Commanders to just 130 passing yards as a team and 3.5 yards per carry. It was a dominant effort all around, a good sign for an Eagles team that’s struggled in recent weeks.
Philadelphia Eagles HC Nick Sirianni on Competition for K Jake Elliott
GettyLANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 20: Jake Elliott #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after missing a field goal against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium on December 20, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
If there was one blemish on Saturday’s game, it was the performance of longtime Eagles K Jake Elliott. He went 0-2 on field goals against the Commanders, missing one from 43 yards and another from 52 yards, though he did go 3-3 on extra points.
It’s another data point in a rough season for Elliott, who isn’t living up to his usually-reliable standards. He’s just 17-24 on field goals this season — 70.8 percent — which is the lowest mark of his career.
“No,” Sirianni said emphatically during his press conference on Monday, on if they would be bringing in competition for Elliott. “Like I said, [we have] a lot of confidence in Jake. I love the roster the way it is, and like I said, I have a ton of confidence with Jake, and that he’ll rebound from whatever setbacks that he has.”
For his career, Elliott is a 83.5-percent field goal kicker. The former fifth-round pick out of Memphis by the Bengals has spent his entire professional kicking career with the Eagles, with his best season coming in 2023 when he went 30-32 on field goals (93.8 percent), including 7-8 on field goals of 50 yards or more, and 45-46 on extra points (97.8 percent).
The Philadelphia Eagles Travel to Buffalo with a Big Game on the Line
The Eagles have locked up their division and a playoff spot, but they’re still jockeying for position in a loaded NFC playoff picture. The Seahawks currently occupy the No. 1 seed in the NFC at 12-3, with the Bears right behind them in the No. 2 seed at 11-4.
Not far behind, the 49ers and Rams both sit at 11-4 as well but are currently in wildcard positions given the Seahawks are a game ahead in the same division. Any of those four teams could wind up winning the top seed and bye into the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.
The Eagles aren’t out of it yet, either, but they need to win out to have a real shot. At 10-5, they would need to win out, have the Seahawks lose out and the Bears, Rams, and 49ers to all lose at least one game. Then Philadelphia would need to hope they come out on top of all the tiebreaker scenarios — but none of that matters if the Eagles can’t go on the road and win in Buffalo this weekend.
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