The Washington Commanders' 2025 season concluded not with a whimper, but with a resonant bang. On January 4, 2026, the team traveled to Philadelphia and delivered a 24-17 upset victory over the Eagles, snapping their rival's three-game winning streak and, more importantly, costing Philadelphia a chance at the NFC's No. 2 playoff seed.
The win improved Washington's final record to 5-12, securing them third place in the NFC East behind the Eagles (11-6) and Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1), and ahead of the New York Giants (4-13). While the season's overall narrative was one of injury and disappointment, the finale provided a glimpse of resilience.
Johnson's Veteran Leadership The story of the game was under center. With franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) shut down for the final three games and backup Marcus Mariota ruled out with a cut on his throwing hand and a quad injury, the Commanders turned to 39-year-old veteran Josh Johnson. In his first start of the season, Johnson provided steady, mistake-free management, allowing the run game and a opportunistic defense to control the tempo.
The Deciding Drive Tied 17-17 in the fourth quarter, the Commanders engineered the game-winning drive. It was catalyzed by not one, but two pass interference penalties called on the Eagles' defense in the end zone. Those flags placed the ball at the 2-yard line, where Johnson connected with tight end John Bates for the go-ahead touchdown. Bates, a reliable target all season, secured his fifth touchdown reception of the year.
Defensive Stand The Commanders' defense, which struggled for much of the year, rose to the occasion in the final minutes. With the Eagles driving to potentially tie or take the lead, the Washington pass rush generated pressure, and the secondary held firm on a critical fourth-down stop to seal the victory. The win was a small consolation for a unit that ranked last in the NFL, but it demonstrated the competitive spirit that persisted despite the record.
Looking Back, Looking Forward The victory was a symbolic end to a season defined by adversity. Over 30 Commanders missed games due to injury, illness, or suspension in 2025. Jayden Daniels, in his second year, started only seven games before the elbow injury that had plagued him earlier in his career resurfaced. The offensive line was a revolving door, and key defensive players like Daron Payne served suspensions. Yet, in the final game, a patchwork lineup found a way to win, providing a positive note on which to enter a critical offseason. The performance, especially from reserves and veterans on short-term deals, will give the front office valuable evaluation data as they plot their course for 2026.