The Eagles lost to the Washington Commanders 32-21 despite having many opportunities, as a result of four errors. With an 8-1 record, the Eagles have a one-game advantage over the rest of the NFC East. With a 5-5 record, the Commanders are still very much in the mix. But the Washington offense controlled the game with the running attack, retaining possession for 40:24. And converting 12 third-down opportunities as the Commanders forced four turnovers.
Jalen Hurts, the quarterback, completed 17 of 26 passes for 175 yards, two touchdowns, an interception, and a passer rating of 94.2. Hurts scored a rushing touchdown as well in the opening frame. On 12 carries, running back Miles Sanders picked up 54 yards. Quez Watkins, a wide receiver, had 80 yards receiving. But lost a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter on a 50-yard reception.
Here is a detailed game summary.
The 1st Quarter
The defense was about to force a three-and-out when safety Reed Blankenship hit punter Tress Way on fourth down. Earning him a roughing-the-punter penalty. It had no benefit for the Commanders. The very next play saw defensive end Josh Sweat strip quarterback Taylor Heinicke of the ball. Which was later recovered by defensive lineman Marlon Tuipulotu at the 18-yard line for Washington.
But the Eagles promptly took advantage of the error by running into the end zone three times in a row. With 12:21 remaining in the first quarter, quarterback Jalen Hurts gained 12 yards on a planned QB keeper. Before sneaking the ball in from one yard out two plays later to score the game’s first touchdown and make it 7-0. If you’re keeping track at home, the Eagles have the most strip-sacks in the league this year with seven. Following the touchdown, the Eagles are second in the NFL. With 67 points scored off turnovers.
Because Antonio Gibson scored from one yard out on the Commanders’ ensuing 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Washington successfully converted three third-down opportunities. But the final one involved a crossing route ball from wide receiver Terry McLaurin to Heinicke of 26 yards. With five minutes left in the first quarter, the score is 7-7.
The Eagles scored twice in two drives. Hurts were threading quick darts to A.J. Brown, Jack Stoll, and Zach Pascal in order to move the chains. DeVonta Smith, however, was the one who made the drive’s two crucial plays. Smith moved the ball to the Washington 33-yard line by converting a third-and-10 situation with a wide receiver screen. Then, Smtih moved the ball to the 6-yard line by drawing a pass interference call on Benjamin St-Juste. With 1:30 remaining in the first quarter, Hurts completed the drive by faking a quarterback draw. And passing to tight end Dallas Goedert across the middle to make the score 14-7.
The 2nd QUARTER
The Commanders reduced the Eagles’ lead with a 44-yard field goal by Joey Slye, but not before an unexpected development. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. was stopped on 3rd-and-1 from the Eagles’ 22 by defensive end Brandon Graham and linebacker T.J. Edwards. The Commanders appeared to go for it on 4th-and-1 and even snapped the ball to Curtis Samuel, the wide receiver who was crossing the formation. But Washington assessed a delay of game penalty.
A defensive end with a potential injury On the field goal drive for the Commanders, Josh Sweat left the game. Hurts make his third season-high interception pass. At the Washington 14-yard line, safety Darrick Forrest intercepted the throw going deep for Brown, who was in double coverage. The ball was properly placed in Brown’s arms, according to the replay, but Forrest removed it.
The Commanders took advantage of Sweat being back on the field for the Eagles with a touchdown drive to take a 17-14 lead. Robinson’s 1-yard touchdown run gave Washington 86 yards in 16 plays. Samuel gained one yard after taking a handoff on a jet sweep to help Washington convert three third downs and a fourth down. On third down, the Commanders are 8 of 11, and on fourth down, they are perfect. With 1:39 remaining in the first half, the Eagles will receive the ball back. Washington is up by 22:43 to 5:38 in the battle for possession time.
The eagles’ offense swiftly ends with a three-and-out. On first down, Kenneth Gainwell dropped the ball, on second down he made a catch for five yards down the left sideline. And on third down Hurts’ pass to Brown was incomplete because the wide receiver slipped.
The Eagles will trail in the second half for the first time this year. As the second quarter came to an end, the Commanders added a 58-yard Slye field goal. Giving them a 20-14 advantage going into halftime. The Commanders were in a position to score thanks to a 15-yard pass from Heinicke to wide receiver Dyami Brown. The second half will begin with the Eagles having the ball.
The 3rd Quarter
To begin the second half, the offense went three-and-out. On third-and-4, cornerback Kendall Fuller intercepted a pass intended for A.J. Brown.
Despite Darius Slay’s competent coverage, Heinicke went over the top to McLaurin along the right sideline for a 41-yard gain after the Commanders laboriously obtained two first downs and successfully handled two 3rd-and-1 situations. Javon Hargrave’s sack of Heinicke on third-and-goal from the 3-yard line allowed the Eagles to force another Slye field goal for the Commanders. With 5:13 left in the quarter, the score is 23-14.
The 4th Quarter
DeVonta Smith trimmed the Commanders’ lead to 23-21 with 14:54 left in the game by scoring on an 11-yard touchdown reception on the first play of the fourth quarter. Miles Sanders ran three times for the Eagles to begin the drive on the ground. And gain their first first down since the second quarter. Hurts’ completion to wide receiver Quez Watkins for a gain of 16 yards over the middle. And Goedert’s subsequent catch of 15 yards placed the Eagles in a position to score.
When C.J. Gardner-Johnson intercepted a deep throw meant for McLaurin, it gave the Eagles possession of the ball once more. Gardner-Johnson was flagged for unnecessary roughness earlier in the drive after a late hit that went out of bounds. But he more than made up for it. With 12:24 remaining in the contest, the Eagles take the ball at their own 7-yard line. On each of their previous five drives, the Commanders had scored.
Dallas Goedert fumbled, giving the ball back to the Commanders. Jamin Davis, a linebacker, ought to have received a facemask penalty. The defensive tackle John Ridgeway batted the ball out as Goedert was falling to the ground. At the Eagles’ 34-yard line, Davis recovered the fumble after the penalty was missed.
Following the error, Slye added a 55-yard field goal to increase the Commanders’ advantage to 26-21 with 7:33 left to play.
Another spectacular play, this time by Quez Watkins, appeared to put the Eagles in a scoring position. He gained 51 yards on a deep post, went down, got up, and St-Juste took the ball away from him. With his recovery and return, Forrest gained 12 yards. The Eagles had three tonight, including two in the fourth quarter, after only three in the first eight games.
With 3:26 left, the Eagles had a shot, but they failed to convert after Montez Sweat sacked Hurts on third down. The ball was thrown away by the Eagles. There are 1:54 left in the game after using all three timeouts. At its own 47, Washington will assume control.
Heinicke took a knee on third down because he was unable to find an open receiver. To prolong the drive and end the game, Brandon Graham, who was pursuing him. He ran him over and was penalized for unnecessary roughness.
After the Eagles attempted to keep the ball alive on a last-second desperation play. The game was decided by Casey Toohill of the Washington defensive end recovering a fumble for a touchdown.
