NFL NFC Championship Best Bets For Sunday (January 26): Commanders vs Eagles Betting Odds & Player Prop Bets

The NFC Championship is finally here, and we have an NFC East rival showdown between the Washington Commanders (12-5, 5-3 away) and the Philadelphia Eagles (14-3, 8-1 home).

(Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

One game away from the biggest stage, the Commanders and Eagles will each compete for a trip to the Super Bowl. The Eagles are the favorite to win Super Bowl LIX at +175 odds, who are looking for their first Super Bowl win since the 2018 season. Last appearing in the 2023 Super Bowl vs the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia is on the verge of returning.

We can't count out the Washington Commanders, who have the highest odds of winning the Super Bowl, at +850. This team is special, from the 52-yard Hail Mary pass to defeat the Bears earlier in the season to knocking off the No. 1 Detroit Lions. Talk about defying the odds. This is a team that's won seven straight games. Polishing off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions in the first two rounds, can they upset on Sunday?

By designing the front office and drafting quarterback Jayden Daniels, this is a Commanders team that should be taken seriously. Arguably the Rookie of the Year, Daniels has delivered at an exceptional level and then some. Now, Daniels can make history as the only rookie quarterback to advance to a Super Bowl.

What are the odds that the final two NFC teams are NFC East rivals? No matter the outcome, bettors are in for a real treat. Two of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL, it will surely be a battle between Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels. And then, of course, we can't forget about Saquon Barkley and the elite Eagles defense.

Odds Are Current As Of January 26 AT 11 A.M. ET

If you're looking to bet and cash out on the NFC Championship game, you've come to the right place! Here at Ballislife Bets, I've gathered my three best bets and player prop picks for the big showdown on Sunday.

Placing all plays as separate bets, I have an NFL betting record of 57-37 in January. Let's keep the hot streak going and cash out on these unique bets!

The early matchup, kick-off between the Commanders and Eagles will begin at 3:00 p.m. ET. Set to air on FOX, the Eagles will have home field advantage.

Let's analyze the current odds and my best player prop bets for Sunday's matchup between the Commanders and Eagles!

Are you in search of further NFL NFC, AFC Championship and sports betting promotions? We have compiled a list of the best sports betting offers here. 

NFL NFC Championship Bets: Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles FanDuel Odds For January 26

MONEYLINE

• WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: +235
• PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: -290

SPREAD

• WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: +6.5 (-120)
• PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: -6.5 (-102)

OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)

• OVER: 47.5 (-110)
• UNDER: 47.5 (-110)

BEST ODDS FOR WASHINGTON COMMANDERS VS PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Caesars Sportsbook offers the best odds at -110 for the Eagles, who are -6 point spread favorites at home.
• Bet MGM provides the best odds at +240 for the Washington Commanders to win the moneyline outright.
• BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook currently offer the best odds for the game totals. BetMGM offers the best value for the under (47.5) at -110, while Caesars offers the best value for the over (47) at -110 odds.

2024-2025 HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUPS: COMMANDERS VS EAGLES

• December 22, 2024: Commanders 36, Eagles 33 (Washington +4, Over 47)
• November 14, 2024: Eagles 26, Commanders 18 (Philadelphia -4.5, Under 49.5)

Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles Injury Report

COMMANDERS

1. Sam Cosmi, G: OUT
2. Jeff Driskel, QB: Questionable
3. Javontae Jean-Baptiste, DE: Questionable
4. Jordan Magee, LB: IR
5. Daron Payne, DT: Questionable

EAGLES

1. Britain Covey, WR: IR
2. Nakobe Dean, LB: IR
3. Jack Driscoll, OT: IR
4. Cam Jurgens, C: Questionable
5. Byron Young, DT: IR

   *Per Adam Schefter, Commanders downgraded DT Daron Payne to out for Sunday’s NFC Championship game due to knee and finger injuries.

NFL NFC Championship: Commanders vs Eagles Predictions for Sunday, January 26

 Player Prop Bets Sunday: Saquon Barkley

GP: 16  | Carries: 345 | Rushing Yards: 2,005 | AVG: 5.8 | Rush TD: 13 | Rush Long: 72 | Rec TD: 2 | Receiving Yards: 278

• Over 24.5 Longest Rush (-113 FanDuel)

My first best bet for Sunday, I placed one unit on Eagles running back Saquon Barkley to record over 24.5 longest rush vs the Commanders for -113 odds. Let's face it, Barkley is a monumental reason for the Eagles success, and has been running over teams left and right. While I have full faith Saquon will take over on the ground, his rushing yards prop line is slightly inflated at 125.5 yards. For this reason, I've chosen to take the longest rush.

Arguably the best, strongest back remaining in the NFL playoffs, can anyone truly stop Barkley? Averaging a career-high 5.8 yards per carry, Saquon operates behind a fairly solid offensive line. While the line hasn't been great over the last 4-5 games of the season, Barkley's put up over 600 rushing yards over the last 5 weeks.

• Tallying over 2,000 yards on the ground, how can we forget Barkley's season high 72 yard touchdown run vs the Rams back in November?

And of course, Saquon had the most famous run of his life, rushing for 78 yards in the snow in last week's divisional showdown against the Rams. When the time matters, don't give Barkley room, because he will break lose.

Will Saquon Barkley Run Right Through The Commanders?

Second in the NFL behind Derrick Henry with 17 20+ rushes, Barkley led all NFL running backs with seven 40+ rushes. In the most important game thus far, I do believe the back will break lose for over 24.5 rushing yards. Here's why.

This is a Commanders team that has been exposed against the run more than once. Allowing the fourth most rushing yards among running backs (113.8 yards per game), opponents averaged the second highest yards per carry (4.8) against the Commanders.

While the Commanders remain in the hunt for a Super Bowl ring, their defense against the rush hasn't changed. Allowing 5.4 yards per attempt, teams are rushing for an average of 105.5 yards against them. In the first round, we saw Bucky Irving and Baker Mayfield rush for a combined 100 yards. In addition, Irving himself rushed for a long 19 yards.

Although Washington captured a 45-31 victory over the Lions last week, Detroit exploited major holes on the defense end. While Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for a 105 yards with a longest rush of 33, Jameson Williams was equally effective. I highly doubt the Eagles will use their receivers in the backfield, that was a brilliant play by Ben Johnson.

Of course, we saw Williams take off for a 61 yard bomb from the backfield, which is something to look at.

Final NFL NFC Championship Betting Prediction: Saquon Barkley Over 24.5 Longest Rush (-113 FanDuel)

So far Barkley has averaged historic numbers in two postseason games. Averaging 324 rushing yards against the Packers and Rams, the back has a longest rush of 47.5 yards. While that touchdown run last week might have skewed the numbers, Saquon had an average 34.5 longest rush this season.

Through 16 regular season games, Barkley's had a longest rush of 24.5+ yards in eight of them which included a 39 and 68 yard run against the Commanders back in November and December. Soaring over this player prop line in three consecutive head-to-head matchups, I'm confident in this again Sunday.

Overall, the Commanders rank no 27 in EPA Rush, and the Eagles are the top rushing team in the NFL. Averaging a longest rush of 53 yards in two games vs the Commanders this season, Barkley should find room once again Sunday. Especially with 55 rushing attempts in the last two meetings.

• No. 22 in defensive EPA, I truly don't believe the Commanders will stop much of the run game. Give me Saquon Barkley to record over 24.5 longest rush on Sunday. 

 Player Prop Bets Sunday: DeVonta Smith

GP: 13  | Receiving TD: 8 | Targets: 89 | Receiving Yards: 833 | Average: 12.3 | Long: 49 | First Down: 42

• Over 19.5 Longest Reception (-114 FanDuel)

My second best bet and prediction for Sunday, I placed one unit on Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith to record over 19.5 longest reception for -114 odds vs the Commanders on Sunday.

Yes, the Eagles have relied heavily on Saquon Barkley and the running game. With No.1 receiver AJ Brown having been abysmal over the last few weeks, I'm turning to Smith. Over the last three weeks, Brown has tallied 60 total receiving yards. Collecting a combined 24 yards vs the Rams and Packers, is there trouble in paradise between Hurts and Brown? For that reason, I've veered away from all AJ Brown player props.

With that said, I've directed my attention to DeVonta Smith. One of the best WR2 in the NFL, he's a quick, speedy receiver, who can make the big plays down the field. While both Smith and Brown were mainly MIA in last week's matchup vs the Rams, Smith had previously averaged 83.75 receiving yards through the previous four weeks.

Likely to line up opposite of cornerback Mike Sainristil, Smith should have the easier matchup of Eagles receivers. And all year long, Smith has been a viable long reception receiver for Jalen Hurts.

Has DeVonta Smith Replaced AJ Brown As The Eagles WR1?

Aside from last week, we've seen Smith go long, and that's why I feel I grabbed this line at the perfect time. This year the receiver has tallied:

• 49 longest reception vs the Cowboys
• 22 longest reception vs the Steelers
• 27  longest reception vs the Panthers
• 21 longest reception vs the Commanders
• 46 longest reception vs the Jaguars
• 45 longest reception vs the Bengals
• 45 longest reception vs the Browns
• 21 longest reception vs the Saints
• 25  longest reception vs the Packers

That's pretty impressive if you ask me. Hurts no. 2 option in the regular season behind Brown and Goedert in the playoffs, Smith logged in a longest reception of 20+ yards in all but four games. Now Smith faces a Commanders team that gave up nearly 143 yards to receivers during the regular season.

Led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, this is an Eagles team that ranked no. 10 in the NFL in passing yards per attempt (7.1). While Hurts hasn't thrown for over 200 yards since December 15, that's not to say Smith won't eat.

If anything, Smith leads all receivers aside from Goedert with 76 yards and 8 receptions in the post season. Now the Eagles get a Commanders team that's allowed the fourth most yards to receivers in the NFL playoffs (174).

Final NFL NFC Championship Betting Prediction: DeVonta Smith O 19.5 Longest Reception (-114 FanDuel)

Just last week, bettors witnessed Amon-Ra St. Brown (34), Tim Patrick (22), and Jahmyr Gibbs (23) all soar over the 19.5 longest reception mark. The week prior, Buccaneers receivers Mike Evans (23), Jalen McMillan (26), and Cade Otton (20) all hauled in a longest reception of 20+ yards.

Tallying 50+ receiving yards in three of the last four weeks, Smith should easily notch this line. Averaging a longest reception of over 28 yards this season, Smith hauled in a 21 yard bomb vs the Commanders in November.

More importantly, Smith has hauled in a longest reception of 20+ yards in eight of the last home games.

• I'll take DeVonta Smith to record a longest reception of 19.5 receiving yards on Sunday. 

 Player Prop Bets Sunday : Jake Elliot

GP: 17  | Field Goal: 28-36 | Field Goal %: 77.8 % | PTS: 131 | 50+: 1-7 | 40-49: 8-9 | 30-39: 10-11| 20-29: 9-9

• Over 6.5 Kicking Points (-130 FanDuel)

I always told myself I would never bet on a kicker, yet here we are. This time I'm taking Eagles kicker Jake Elliot to record over 6.5 kicking points for -130 odds vs the Commanders Sunday,

Yes, I know Elliot has had somewhat of a down year. Spending all eight years of his NFL career with the Eagles, Elliot has the lowest field goal percentage (77.8 %) since the 2020 season. While inconsistent through the season, Elliot's been hanging on in the playoffs.

When the time counted, Elliot nailed not one, but two field goals in the snow vs the Rams last Sunday. While we could argue Saquon Barkely was the unsung hero of last game, it was Elliot who made up for his mistakes. Tied 13 all, the kicker drilled a 44 yarder to put the Eagles up by three points in the second quarter.

• While 1-3 on extra point attempts, Elliot notched a 37 yarder to put the Eagles up 22-15. It was from there, Barkley iced the cake.

Can Jake Elliot Redeem Himself Against The Commanders?

Yes I know Jake Elliot nearly cost the Eagles the entire season last weekend. However Washington allows teams to score over 59 % in the red zone, which ranks 21st in the NFL. I do expect Elliot to rack up 2-3 points alone from extra attempts. Defensively, the Commanders have had trouble holding up vs the Eagles, allowing them to score 4-7 from the red zone.

Racking up 10 points vs the Commanders, Elliot had a solid 10 point outing vs the Packers in the first round. Again, Elliot finished 1-2 in extra point attempts, yet finished 3-3 from the 30-39 range. We are talking about one of the most reliable kickers in the game, who finished the season with a 97.9 % extra field goal percentage. With a season long 50 yard field goal, he has range.

As for the weather, Philadelphia may see much different conditions compared to last week. With weather expected to hover around 40 degrees at tip-off, wind gusts of 10-12 mph may have a slight impact on Elliot. However, Elliot finished with 8 points vs the Commanders back in November 14. Although Elliot missed two field goals from 40+, he was successful in 2-3 extra point attempts. If this happens this week, I'm banking on the Eagles to put up plenty of points on the board.

• Through two games vs Washington this year, the Eagles scored 59 total points.

Final NFL NFC Championship Betting Prediction: Jake Elliot Over 6.5 Kicking Points (-130 FanDuel)

I love this player prop, especially given Elliot has six total extra point attempts in their last two outings. 6/9 in two games vs the Commanders, Elliot recorded 15 points in their last matchup. Soaring over this line in four straight head-to-head matchups, Elliot averaged just over 11 points vs Washington in that spam.

Overall, I do believe this prop line is set too low, especially for a kicker thats notched over 6.5 points in six straight games. Even with missed kicks, Elliot has a combined 20 points over the last two games. No. 8 in NFL field goal attempts, Elliot finished no. 5 in the NFL in extra points made (54).

Now that the weather isn't a huge factor (for now), the Eagles remain a top powerhouse offensive team (27.2 PPG). Middle of the pack in points allowed per game (23), this is one of my strongest plays for Sunday. In addition, this is a Commanders team that allowed over 7.0 fantasy points to opposing kickers. Kickers alone tallied 2.1 points based off extra kicks alone vs Washington.

• I'll take Jake Elliot to record over 6.5 kicking points on Sunday. At the end of the day, often close playoff matchups come down to a single field goal. 

Bonus Bet

• Austin Ekeler Over 2.5 Receptions (-188 FanDuel)