The stakes are very clear: A win for the Eagles gives them the NFC East title. A win for Washington (and some help from around the league) pushes the Commanders into the postseason. This is, in every sense of the word, a game with great importance, and that's why Sunday at Northwest Stadium is so intriguing: The Eagles put their franchise-record 10 straight wins on the line on Sunday (1 PM, FOX) against a team that wants to get back at Philadelphia for a loss five weeks ago.

Great scenario. Great storylines. Let's get to the matchup …

1. Washington is a different team at home

The numbers say it all: The Commanders average 411.1 total yards per game at home in 2024 (that ranks second in the NFL, behind Detroit), and the Commanders average 183.5 rushing yards per game (best in the NFL) and have scored 29.7 points per game at home. They have controlled the clock and the game, averaging 32 minutes, 8 seconds in time of possession. These are impressive numbers, and they give you the understanding that Washington has a great level of comfort at home and feels the home-field advantage. Clearly, the Eagles need to play well, and they've done that on the road, losing only at Tampa Bay this season.

2. A fast start is a great way to play

What a difference 10 first-quarter points made last week for the Eagles in their big win over Pittsburgh! Quarterback Jalen Hurts got into a rhythm early and spread the football around and had his receivers into the game from the jump and the Eagles cruised to a relatively sweat-free win. Given the way Washington has played at home, the best way to start is to come out and put points on the board right away. Make Washington play from behind. Make that offense become one-dimensional. It is all a great vision, a wonderful theory, and it certainly won't be easy. Washington has won its last two games and the Commanders are feeling like they have something going on defense.

3. CB Marshon Lattimore and his impact

Wide receiver A.J. Brown stood at his locker on Friday and talked about Marshon Lattimore – "He's a great corner and I'm always excited to go against great players for the sport, honestly." – and so the challenge is out there. Lattimore made his Washington debut last week and played 49 snaps without a pass going his way. He changed the way the Commanders were able to play coverage in the win over New Orleans. So, what does that mean for this game? Will Lattimore match up with Brown and allow the Washington secondary to play straight up against Brown and DeVonta Smith, and load the box to stop Saquon Barkley and the Eagles' running game? Washington's rookie cornerback, Mike Sainristil leads Washington with 11 passes defensed, two interceptions, and he gave the Eagles great competition in the first meeting.

4. Containing WR Terry McLaurin

This is something the Eagles did exceedingly well the first time the teams met. McLaurin had just one reception for 10 yards as rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell did a terrific job against McLaurin. But the veteran wide receiver has been on a tear with five touchdown catches in the last three games and he is quarterback Jayden Daniels' go-to player. McLaurin is one of the NFL's best receivers and he is a big-play threat on every snap. Can the Eagles take him out of the equation as they did five weeks ago? Certainly, Washington will give some different looks and find ways to get the ball to McLaurin, so this is going to be a fun chess match to watch.

5. Round 2 against Jayden Daniels

Five weeks ago, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was playing with sore ribs and he just looked like a player who had taken some shots and needed a break. He got one in the form of the bye week. Now he's fresher and playing that way. Daniels had 11 carries and 66 yards last week to go along with a fine passing performance – he was 25-of-31 for 226 yards and two touchdowns in the win over New Orleans. What will the approach be this time against Daniels, who was dominated (191 passing yards, much of it in the late-game final drive, 18 rushing yards, one interception) in the Eagles' win in Week 11. The Eagles want to keep Daniels from hurting them with his legs and they want to get in his face – he was sacked eight times last week at New Orleans.

6. The Eagles are on a roll and want to keep it that way

A lot of it comes down to this: The Eagles are playing fast, physical football with minimal mistakes. Can they continue that on Sunday? Can they run the football with Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell and quarterback Jalen Hurts against a defense they ran for 228 yards on in Philadelphia? Can they get the ball out to the wide receivers? Who wins at the line of scrimmage? Philadelphia is playing with great confidence and sense of purpose. The team understands what is on the line here: A win means the NFC East, a critical step forward in the stretch run of the regular season.