Washington’s coaches and players speak to the media
It’s been a busy week for the Washington Commanders as they prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game on Sunday. This will be the third meeting between the two teams this season, and the victor goes to the Super Bowl, and wins the series 2-1. Dan Quinn spoke to the media yesterday, and got another turn behind the mic before today’s practice.
First up were his two coordinators, with DC Joe Whitt Jr up first. He talked about playing more zone coverage against the Detroit Lions to muddy up the middle for Lions QB Jared Goff. That strategy worked, and Washington forced five turnovers, four of them courtesy of the veteran QB. Stopping Saquon Barkley has been the goal of every team that has played the Eagles this season, and that won’t be any different on Sunday. Whitt Jr said you can bottle him up, but then he’ll break free for an explosive run, and those plays can’t happen.
Joe Whitt Jr
LIVE: HC Dan Quinn, OC Kliff Kingsbury and DC Joe Whitt Jr. speak to the media https://t.co/i7ILAT3TWW
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 23, 2025
More zone coverage vs the Lions:
Joe Whitt Jr. said the plan against the Lions was to play more zone even of that meant allowing more yards, but to also make the view “cloudy” for Jared Goff in the hopes of his defense making plays on the ball. That worked.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 23, 2025
Mental approach to this team:
Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. on the microphone today.
About building a new culture in Washington, Whitt Jr. said, “you have to be a little bit crazy to be here because the way we do things is not the normal way.” pic.twitter.com/TSdw3dq8wd
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 23, 2025
Commanders D.C. Joe Whitt Jr.: “The way we live here is different. … You have to be a little bit crazy to be here because the way we do things is not the normal way and we don’t want it to be the normal way.”
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 23, 2025
Saquon Barkley’s explosive runs:
Joe Whitt Jr., “We have to do whatever we have to do to keep Saquon from hitting those explosive runs.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 23, 2025
Jonathan Allen:
Commanders DC Joe Whitt on Jon Allen’s play since coming back from surgery: “He’s been playing better as he’s been coming along, and I think he’s going to play his best ball here.”
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 23, 2025
Staying focused:
Whitt: “We can be the team that started to turn and if we keep on staying focused and win this game we can reap the rewards at the same time and that rarely happens.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 23, 2025
Road games:
Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. loves playing on the road.
Whitt Jr. and the players ready for the Linc and those Philly fans.
He said, “that’s the best feeling in the world, going into somebody else’s house and it’s quiet.” pic.twitter.com/tec4NARKDz
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 23, 2025
Whitt: “I love love love playing on the road. … no better feeling than to walk out of that place and it’s quiet.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 23, 2025
Bobby Wagner
Jayden Daniels:
.@Bwagz on his relationship with @JayD__5 pic.twitter.com/wduRCmRT8w
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 24, 2025
LB Bobby Wagner on his trash talk with Jayden Daniels: “You got to treat him like the child that he is.” pic.twitter.com/vJYHys2t0c
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) January 23, 2025
Stopping Saquon Barkley:
Bobby Wagner on stopping Saquon Barkley: “This is going to be a game about discipline.”
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 23, 2025
Underdogs in the playoffs:
Bobby Wagner on playoff run – the two times they said we’re underdogs I think we played our best ball pic.twitter.com/Zg9eijUumZ
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 23, 2025
Jer’Zhan Newton
Playing the Eagles again:
Commanders rookie DT Johnny Newton with a big ole smile “s***, we get to play the Eagles again.” pic.twitter.com/hkHtFSXt4M
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 23, 2025
Who wants it more?:
The #Commanders are days away from their NFC Championship showdown with Philly. The teams have met twice already this season, but this time is for all the marbles.
What will it boil down to?
Rookie DT Johnny Newton: “Whoever’s the toughest and who wants it more.” pic.twitter.com/K0eDLJAtIp
— Natalie Spala (@_nataliespala) January 23, 2025
Jalyn Holmes
Stick to the basics:
Sunday is looming. A trip to the Super Bowl is on the line.
Commanders DT Jalyn Holmes said “gotta stick to the basics” pic.twitter.com/Km2bOFyYpF
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 23, 2025
Kliff Kingsbury
LIVE: HC Dan Quinn, OC Kliff Kingsbury and DC Joe Whitt Jr. speak to the media https://t.co/i7ILAT3TWW
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 23, 2025
(Starts @ 13:20)
Vic Fangio:
Kliff Kingsbury said Eagles DC Vic Fangio “must be a great teacher” because whoever they plug in does their job. Kingsbury said the Eagles have “the best defensive spacing I’ve ever seen.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 23, 2025
Terry McLaurin:
Kingsbury on McLaurin: “one of the best I’ve seen at attacking the ball in the air.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 23, 2025
“It’s about the players not the plays”:
Kliff Kingsbury = players coach
The Commanders offensive coordinator always takes input from his players on what plays to call during the game.
Kliff said, “it’s about the players, not the plays.” pic.twitter.com/RWPAPT583a
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 23, 2025
Olamide Zaccheaus
Execution and taking care of the ball:
Commanders vs. Philly Part 3.
The stakes on Sunday could not be higher.
WR Olamide Zaccheaus said, “just comes down to playing ball. Obviously we are familiar with them and they’re familiar with us. It’s just going to come down to execution and taking care of the ball.” pic.twitter.com/0y8LvfHG47
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 23, 2025
John Bates
NFC Championship game:
So many different players have been stepping up this season for the Washington Commanders.
I had a great chat with TE John Bates today.
He’s looking forward to playing in his first NFC Championship game. pic.twitter.com/pQGSZmkTTl
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 23, 2025
Tyler Biadasz
Beat Philly:
Love the direct, short answer here from Commanders center Tyler Biadasz.
He said, “only one goal is to beat Philly” pic.twitter.com/FWK6VceQP9
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 23, 2025
Trent Scott
Next man up mentality:
No Sam Cosmi, enter Trent Scott.
He’s ready to go on Sunday pic.twitter.com/DMbxsoRcsn
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) January 23, 2025
Dan Quinn
LIVE: HC Dan Quinn, OC Kliff Kingsbury and DC Joe Whitt Jr. speak to the media https://t.co/i7ILAT3TWW
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 23, 2025
(Starts @ 27:55)
Finding identity/ceiling:
@Commanders coach Dan Quinn said his team hasn’t reached its ceiling. The confidence he has in his team is still on display before the most important game in franchise history in nearly 35 years. #NFL #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/1dqj6RGTwz
— Lake Lewis Jr (@LakeLewisJr) January 23, 2025
Dan Quinn: “we have found our identity… we haven’t found our ceiling.”
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 23, 2025
Jonathan Allen:
Dan Quinn addressing the media. Said Jon Allen’s most recent game against the Lions was the most impactful since he came back from his injury. Speaks to the work he’s put in to getting healthy and ready to contribute
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) January 23, 2025
Saquon Barkley:
Quinn said with Barkley, there’s a start and stop feature about his game that makes him unique. He’s got rare change of direction, and the vision behind the line make him a difficult challenge
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) January 23, 2025
Mental improvement:
Quinn said the Commanders have gotten better on the field, but they’ve also improved “between their ears.” They’re as mentally tough as they’ve ever been, and Daniels’ growth has been a big part of that
— Zach Selby (@ZachSelbyWC) January 23, 2025
Jayden Daniels:
Dan Quinn on when he knew Jayden was something special pic.twitter.com/mFINcK5uP2
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 23, 2025
Practice notes
Heating up the field:
NFC Championship practice vibes… had to thaw the field to get back outside: pic.twitter.com/AGqiYmiXaC
— John Keim (@john_keim) January 23, 2025