1) The Eagles offensive line is a weapon. Just watch how the unit blocked on Saquon Barkley‘s opening-play touchdown sprint and Jalen Hurts‘ 9-yard touchdown run around the left side. The Eagles rushed for 229 yards and SEVEN touchdowns. And that was with both centers, Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens, banged up. The offensive line powered the Eagles’ Super Bowl run two seasons ago, and what is remarkable about this unit is it absorbed the retirement of sure-fire Hall of Famer Jason Kelce without missing a step. The health of Dickerson and Jurgens is something to watch over the next two weeks, though. Dickerson started the game because Jurgens had a back injury, but Dickerson was soon spotted limping badly on the sideline. Jurgens had to take over after halftime.

2) Barkley is the Eagles’ hammer. If the Commanders had any thought that they could win by executing long, clock-chewing drives that kept the Eagles’ offense off the field — the Commanders’ first drive of the game took more than 7 minutes and resulted in a field goal — Barkley immediately provided a reality check. His 60-yard touchdown run on the Eagles’ first play from scrimmage exhibited not just his devastating combination of power and speed, but his ability to flip the game immediately. Sirianni called it a good tone-setter. Barkley rushed just 15 times — it should be more, by the way — but he averaged 7.9 yards per and had three touchdowns. Barkley, who already is as beloved a teammate in Philadelphia as he was in New York, will be the feel-good story of Super Bowl week.

“A lot of these things come down to how you finish,” Hurts said after the game. “And I think being able to lean on [Barkley] when we’re trying to bring things home, I think that’s a huge impact he’s made for us. And, obviously, when he does it early, it doesn’t really matter who gets the party started, just for us to gain some momentum as an offense and gain a rhythm, I’d say. Rhythm is the word, gain our rhythm as an offense and keep going.”

3) The Eagles passing game lives. The Eagles probably didn’t really need it to beat the Commanders, but Philly had to be encouraged to see the passing game rev up again. After passing for 131 yards and 128 yards in the Eagles’ two previous playoff games, Hurts went 20-of-28 for 246 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. His ability to move — we can stop worrying about the well-being of his left knee — certainly helped. But his fourth-and-5, 31-yard drop in the bucket to A.J. Brown down the left sideline right before the two-minute warning at the end of the first half should allay any concerns about Hurts’ touch and his connection with his No. 1 receiver. That will likely be much more important in the Super Bowl. Nick Sirianni said he is mystified by the criticism surrounding Hurts. He said the Eagles don’t care how they win. “I don’t want anyone leading this team but him,” Sirianni said. Hurts certainly looked untroubled. He lit a victory cigar in the locker room. “I guess he let me out of my straight jacket a little bit today,” Hurts said.