The Washington Commanders have come a long way in less than a year. And in another season or two, they might be a Super Bowl contender.
The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t ready to give up the NFC East yet though.
The Commanders battled the Eagles hard but couldn’t generate much offense, fell way short on a pivotal fourth-down gamble and eventually fell to the Eagles, 26-18. Saquon Barkley played the closer, scoring on two long touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to put away the Commanders. The Eagles improved to 8-2 and for the moment they turned back the challenge of the Commanders (7-4), who are a game and a half behind Philadelphia in the division.
The Commanders are coming. They might be a Super Bowl contender in a year, with Jayden Daniels leading the way. But they still need at least one more offseason to build up the roster. The Eagles are already there, with a roster that has a star-filled offense and a defense that keeps improving and came up big Thursday night. While the Detroit Lions are the talk of the NFL, Philadelphia’s six-game winning streak has shown the Eagles are still a threat to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Washington should be excited about its future. But the Eagles showed the Commanders that the present still belongs to them, at least for a little while longer.
The Commanders had a tough game against the Steelers last Sunday, but they were the team that looked more ready to play early on.
The Eagles had a decent drive on their first possession but missed a field goal. The Commanders’ defense dug in a bit, then Daniels led a touchdown drive. Brian Robinson Jr. was stood up at about the 2-yard line but drove the pile into the end zone for the score. That was an early statement.
Defenses led the way in the first half, or perhaps it was just typical rough play on short rest for a Thursday night game. The Eagles finally put together a drive inside the Commanders’ end zone late in the first half but it stalled and they settled for a field goal. Jake Elliott, who missed two kicks in the first half, made the 21-yarder. The Commanders took a 7-3 lead into halftime.
Thursday night was supposed to be one of the best matchups of the entire season, a game between one of the league’s biggest surprises in Washington trying to take back first place of the NFC East. On a Sunday, it might have lived up to that. Through the first half, it was tough for either team to get into a rhythm.
Finally, in the fourth quarter, the Eagles woke up.
Eagles take a lead in 4th
The Eagles didn’t score their first touchdown until the fourth quarter. Barkley was tackled at the 1-yard line and a Hurts tush push was automatic from there. Elliott missed yet again, this time hooking an extra point wide left. The Eagles led 12-10.
The Eagles’ defense played well, and the Commanders made a decision that backfired. Robinson was stopped twice on second- and third-and-short. Instead of a field goal to take the lead, the Commanders went for it. Daniels bobbled the snap, tried to run wide but was stopped well short of the first down. That was a turning point in what was a close game.
The game got away from Washington after that. Barkley rushed for a 23-yard touchdown, then Reed Blankenship caught a rare interception from Daniels. Barkley scored a 39-yarder after that and a game that was close for three quarters, with the Commanders looking like they could pull off an upset, had turned into a blowout.
The Eagles have done a great job building a Super Bowl contender. They’ve drafted well. They have added key free-agent additions including Barkley, who went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season on Thursday night and has given the offense the playmaker in the run game that makes the offense very diverse.
Washington could look at its opponent on Thursday night and see what it needs to do to win the NFC East in the future. The Eagles’ win was a reminder of how much work they’ve already put into being one of the NFL’s elite teams.
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Dallas Goedert comes down with the onside kick and that will do it. Quite a win for the Eagles after a slow start, and it’s their sixth straight.
Not so fast!
Replay shows Zach Ertz had both feet in while catching the ball on the two-point conversion and that means two points for the Commanders. That turns this into a one-score game and we’ll have an onside kick coming.
TOUCHDOWN: Commanders make final score moderately more respectable
Jayden Daniels finds the Eagles’ old friend Zach Ertz for a five-yard touchdown, but the two-point conversion fails. 28 seconds left.
TOCUDHOWN: Another for Saquon Barkley turns this into a rout
This went south quickly for the Commanders. Saquon Barkley scores from 39 yards out to put his team up 16 with 4:38 left. He’s up to 146 rushing yards, 52 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He’s visibly overjoyed on the sideline.
Jayden Daniels opens the Commanders’ drive with a pass straight to Eagles safety Reed Blankenship. It’s Daniels’ third interception of the season and that should just about do it.
TOUCHDOWN: Saquon Barkley rips off 23-yard run to give Eagles two-score lead
Yeah, this ain’t going well for the Commanders. Saquon Barkley makes them pay for their fourth-down decision with a 23-yard touchdown, which puts him at 100 yards for the night. Jake Elliott makes the extra point — barely — to put the Eagles up two scores with 4:58 left.
Eagles avoid disaster after the ball gets punched out of Dallas Goedert’s hands. Grant Calcaterra comes down with it at the Commanders’ 30.
Commanders go for it on fourth down, but Jayden Daniels gets hammered well short of the first down. The Eagles get the ball back on their own 26.
A field goal… would have been helpful there.
Saquon Barkley now has nine touches which have ended at the one yard line, most in all of football
The Eagles still make it to the end zone. Seven straight runs after the non-facemask results in Jalen Hurts punching it in from the one-yard line.
And then Jake Elliott misses the extra point. Woof.
We’re headed to the fourth quarter with the Eagles crowd very unhappy after the refs picked up a flag. Commanders DT Phidarian Mathis grabbed the underside of Devonta Smith’s helmet, which was initially called a facemask. However, it still should have been a personal foul.
Instead, the Eagles will have 3rd-and-8 when the fourth quarter begins.
Another short possession for the Commanders leads to a punt fielded at the Eagles’ 25. Jayden Daniels certainly looks like he’s playing with a hand that isn’t 100%.
Commanders hold the Eagles to another field goal. This still feels very much like a Thursday night game.
Meanwhile, Jayden Daniels had a cut on his throwing hand superglued.
Saquon Barkley’s biggest gain tonight was nine yards. He just ripped off a catch and run for 43 yards. Eagles in the red zone now.
Daniels’ pass falls incomplete on an another third down and the Commanders settle for a field goal, but only after a delay of game penalty changed it from a 40-yarder to a 45-yarder.
First big swing of the third quarter is a questionable pass interference penalty on third down. Eagles rookie Cooper Dejean grabbed Noah Brown’s jersey a little, but not nearly enough to affect a route that Jayden Daniels just didn’t hit.
Austin Ekeler returns the ball, Austin Ekeler fumbles the ball and the Commanders recover the ball, and we’re underway in the second half.
Jalen Hurts in medical tent
Jalen Hurts was being evaluated for a concussion, according to Kaylee Hartung. However, he appears to be all right, running to the locker room at halftime on his own.
Halftime: Commanders 7, Eagles 3
Halftime Stats
Commanders total offense:
Jayden Daniels 9-13, 95 yards
Brian Robinson 33 yards, 5 carries, 1 TD
Austin Ekeler 5 catches,
Eagles total offense: 174 yards
Jalen Hurts 10-19, 101 yards
Saquon Barkley 66 yards, 15 carries
A.J. Brown 3 catches, 42 yards
* Jake Elliott 1-for-3 on field goals
Field goal, Philadelphia: Commanders 7, Eagles 3
An 87-yard drive stalls out at the 3-yard line with the Eagles not able to get in the end zone.
Jake Elliott kicks a 21-yard field goal for his first make and Philadelphia’s first points of the game with 19 seconds left in the first half.
Liberty what now?
Al Michaels might need a halftime snack or power nap after calling the Liberty Bell the “Liberty Bowl” on the Amazon telecast.
2-minute warning
Philadelphia has a 1st-and-10 from their 48-yard line after the 2-minute warning.
Eagles need to get points from this drive, which is beginning pretty well. moving 38 yards in five plays.
Austin Ekeler drops a 3rd-and-9 pass
Washington has to punt after Austin Ekeler dropped a pass on 3rd-and-9. That was a bad one. He was wide open.
Eagles take over at their 10 after a 36-yard Tress Way punt.
Eagles again go 3-and-out
Since moving the ball well on their opening possession, the Eagles haven’t been able to establish a rhythm on offense. They go 3-and-out again after an incomplete pass to A.J. Brown on 3rd-and-4.
Washington takes over at its 24 following a 44-yard punt by Braden Mann.
Eagles take over at their 26-yard line after a 39-yard punt by Tress Way.
Jayden Daniels sacked on consecutive plays
On 1st-and-10 from the Washington 37, Brandon Graham sacks Jayden Daniels for a 4-yard loss. Then Josh Sweat gets to Daniels for an 8-yard loss.
Jake Elliott misses 2nd field goal of the game
Jake Elliott is 0-for-2 after missing a 51-yard attempt.
The Eagles’ drive cratered after Jalen Hurts was sacked on 1st-and-10 from the Washington 36 and took a 13-yard loss. A trick play that blew up badly.
End of 1st quarter: Commanders 7, Eagles 0
Philadelphia will have 2nd-and-3 to begin the second quarter after a 7-yard rush by Saquon Barkley.
Commanders go 3-and-out
Eagles will get good field position after forcing Washington to punt from their 12-yard line.
Philadelphia takes over at the Commanders’ 48 after a 44-yard kick.
Eagles punt again
Jahan Dotson drops a pass on 3rd-and-4 and Philadelphia has to punt.
Commanders take over at their 6-yard line after a 51-yard punt, a 10-yard return and illegal block penalty on Noah Igbinoghene.
TOUCHDOWN, Commanders for 7–0 lead
After an 18-yard run by Brian Robinson, the Commanders’ back scores on a 1-yard run for the first touchdown of the game.
Zane Gonzalez’s extra point kick gives Washington a 7–0 lead.
34-yard gain by Austin Ekeler on a short pass
On first down, Austin Ekeler gains 34 yards on a short pass out of the backfield from Jayden Daniels.
Jalen Hurts sacked
Jalen Hurts is sacked by Frankie Luvu on 3rd-and-8 from the Eagles’ 22-yard line.
After the 2-yard loss, Braden Mann punts 38 yards to the Washington 42.
Jordan Dickerson is back in at left guard for the Eagles’ second possession.
3-and-out for Washington
The Commanders go 3-and-out on their opening drive after Jayden Daniels throws incomplete to Noah Brown on 3rd-and-4.
Tress Way punts 51 yards and the Eagles will take over at their 9-yard line.
Jake Elliott misses 44-yard field goal
A promising opening drive for the Eagles stalls after a holding penalty on Mekhi Becton on 2nd-and-12 from the Washington 25. Following a 10-yard run by Kenneth Gainwell on 3rd-and-22, Philadelphia settles for a field goal attempt.
BUT… Jake Elliott misses from 44 yards.
Dickerson had his right leg rolled upon.
Eagles’ Landon Dickerson injured
Eagles guard Landon Dickerson was slow to get up after a first-down run by Saquon Barkley. He limped off the field without assistance and is currently on the sideline.
Eagles get the ball first
Commanders won the coin toss and deferred. Eagles will begin the game on offense from their 30-yard-line after a touchback.
Saquon Barkley made this fan’s night
1st place in the NFC East on the line tonight
Currently, the Eagles are in first place at 7–2 with the Commanders trailing at 7–3. That could change with a Washington win.
Commanders keep facing Heisman Trophy winners
Intriguing article on Thursday from The Athletic’s Ben Standig: There are 11 active Heisman Trophy winners currently in the NFL. Two of them — Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota — are on Washington’s roster. After tonight, the Commanders will have faced the other nine this season.
Week 1 — Baker Mayfield (2017) Week 3 — Joe Burrow (2019) Week 4 — Kyler Murray (2018) Week 5 — Jameis Winston (2013) Week 6 — Derrick Henry (2015), Lamar Jackson (2016) Week 7 — Bryce Young (2021) Week 8 — Caleb Williams (2022) Week 11 — DeVonta Smith (2020)
For what it’s worth, Washington is 5–2 in those games.
Commanders and Eagles inactives for TNF, Week 11
Marshon Lattimore is out for the Commanders after being acquired from the Saints due to a hamstring injury. The hope is that he’ll be ready following Washington’s bye in Week 12.
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