|
The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders are meeting for an NFC East showdown Thursday that has major implications on who can take the divisional crown. A win would give the Eagles two fewer losses than the Commanders and boosts their chances of taking the NFC East to 77%, per ESPN Analytics. But if they lose? That drops to 39%. Meanwhile, the Commanders would see their division title odds jump to 61% with a win but slide to just 23% if they lose. Analytics aside, there are two participants that are uniquely qualified to speak to the magnitude of this game: Washington tight end Zach Ertz and Philadelphia wide receiver Jahan Dotson. Ertz, a second-round pick by the Eagles (No. 35 overall) in the 2013 NFL draft, spent nine seasons in Philadelphia, racking up three Pro Bowl selections and the NFL record for most catches in a single season by a tight end. After being traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, he penned an emotional farewell letter to the city of Philadelphia and the Eagles organization. "Philadelphia is home. ....This isn't going to be the last you'll see of me here in this city," he said in his final Eagles news conference. Dotson was selected by the Commanders in the first round (16th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft. Washington traded Dotson and a fifth-round pick to the Eagles for a third-round pick and two seventh-round selections in August. "I'm not gonna take it personal until I see Washington," Dotson said after the rare intradivisional trade. This week, however, both players downplayed the idea of a revenge game. "I'm just trying to treat it like a normal week, it's a short week," Dotson said. "The main thing is the main thing, that's to come out on top and get the W. ... It's going to happen regardless twice a year, so it happens when it happens and my job is to come in and be ready and help my team get a win." "Obviously everyone knows how I feel about that place; special place in our hearts, was there for a long time. Will be great to see people I haven't seen in a long time but at the same time I'm just excited to go out there and play. I'm not making this any bigger than it needs to be, " Ertz told reporters earlier this week."I have friends on the team but the team has changed a lot as well. To play as a visitor I don't know what the reception is going to be but I'm excited to go out and play." Ertz signed a one-year deal with Washington in March, setting the stage for this high-stakes reunion -- but he and Dotson aren't the only players who have suited up for both teams. On Thursday, he returned to Philly as a team captain for Washington, joining the ranks of standout players who've suited up for both Washington and the Philadelphia Eagles.  Carson Wentz (Eagles 2016-2020; Washington 2022)Philadelphia made Wentz the highest-drafted FCS player in history by selecting him at No. 2 in 2016. In his first season, Wentz started all 16 games for the Eagles, guiding them to a 7-9 record. He set an NFL record with 379 completions for a first-year player, a milestone that Justin Herbert later topped with 396 in 2020. Coincidentally, he kicked off his second season facing Washington, then led the Eagles to an 11-2 record in 2017 before an injury sidelined him during their Super Bowl run. As an Eagle, Wentz went 4-1 against Washington. After his Eagles career ended, he had a brief stint with Washington in 2022, going 0-1 against Philadelphia while Washington went 0-2-1 overall against the Eagles that season.
DeSean Jackson (Eagles 2008-2013, 2019-2020; Washington 2014-2016Drafted 49th overall by Philadelphia in 2008, Jackson quickly became one of the most explosive playmakers in franchise history. His unforgettable "Miracle at the Meadowlands II" punt return against the Giants in 2010 cemented his status as a Broad Street legend. As an Eagle, Jackson went 5-7 against Washington. During his Washington tenure, he posted a 2-4 record against Philadelphia, including a memorable 81-yard touchdown against his former team in his first game back at Lincoln Financial Field.  In 2023, he signed a ceremonial contract to retire with the team that drafted him. "Philly will always be home; that's why I wanted to come back and retire as an Eagle, it just sits right with me, I feel like I should have never left," Jackson said. "What we had in Philly was great -- it's a part of the history."
Ryan Kerrigan (Washington 2011-2020; Eagles 2021)Washington's first-round pick in 2011 (16th overall), Kerrigan got well acquainted with Eagles quarterbacks, racking up 13.5 sacks against Philly over the years -- though Washington managed just a 6-14 record against their rivals during that stretch. During his time with the team, he earned four Pro Bowl selections and became the franchise's all-time leader in sacks. He joined Philadelphia for the 2021 season, going 1-1 against Washington in his lone season as an Eagle. According to Kerrigan, playing Washington twice a season didn't influence his decision to sign with Philadelphia He signed a one-day contract to retire with Washington in 2022, and has been the Commanders' assistant defensive line coach since September 2022.
Brian Mitchell (Washington 1990-1999; Eagles 2000-2002)After establishing himself as one of the greatest return specialists in NFL history with Washington, Mitchell joined the Eagles and continued his excellence in the return game. The former fifth rounder ranks second on the NFL's all-time all-purpose yardage list with 23,330 yards, trailing only Jerry Rice, and holds the top spot for combined yardage among non-wide receivers. His 13 special teams touchdowns are the second most in NFL history, just behind Devin Hester, while his nine punt return touchdowns place him third, following Eric Metcalf (10) and Hester (14). As a member of Washington, Mitchell went 11-9 against Philadelphia, while posting a 4-2 record against Washington during his Eagles tenure. He signed a one-day contract in 2009 to retire with Washington.
Donovan McNabb (Eagles 1999-2009; Washington 2010)The Eagles selected McNabb second overall by 1999 and he went on to hold several franchise records -- including wins and total touchdowns. He played 148 games, completing 2,801 passes for 32,873 yards and 216 touchdowns, while also rushing for 3,249 yards and adding 28 rushing touchdowns. McNabb spent 11 of his 13 seasons with the Eagles, leading the team to eight playoff appearances, five NFC East titles, five conference championship games and a Super Bowl appearance. He was memorably traded to Washington on Easter Sunday in 2010. His tenure there lasted just one season though, going 1-1 against Philadelphia while throwing for 478 yards and 3 touchdowns in those matchups. As an Eagle, McNabb dominated Washington with a 13-7 record. In 2013, Philadelphia retired his No. 5 jersey on the same day he officially retired from the NFL and was inducted into the team's hall of fame.
Art Monk (Washington 1980-1993; Eagles 1995)Selected 18th overall by Washington in the 1980 draft, Monk became one of the NFL's all-time great receivers, achieving a 19-13 record against Philadelphia and helping Washington secure three Super Bowl titles. To this day, he holds several franchise and league records -- including being the first player to record a touchdown reception in 15 consecutive seasons (1980-1994). His brief Eagles stint in 1995 saw him go 0-2 against Washington in his final NFL season. The Hall of Famer's consistent excellence made him a respected figure, though he's primarily remembered for his Washington career. He formally retired with Washington in 1997 and said he'll always consider himself a member of the franchise.
Sonny Jurgensen (Eagles 1957-1963; Washington 1964-1974)The Hall of Fame quarterback split his 18-year career between the two NFC East foes. He began his career with the Eagles as a backup, primarily serving as the holder for field goals and extra points. He became Philly's starting quarterback in 1961 -- the same year he earned his first of five Pro Bowl nods. It was also his first of five seasons as the league's passing yards leader. A few years later, he became a Washington legend. In his final season in 1974, at age 40, Jurgensen topped the NFC with a passer rating of 94.5, while splitting time at the position with Billy Kilmer. With Philadelphia, he went 5-6-1 against Washington, while with Washington he posted an 8-7-1 record against the Eagles. Washington retired Jurgensen's No. 9 jersey in 2022, and he is also in the team's ring of fame. This story contains reporting from ESPN's John Keim.
|
