The Eagles finally had a first-possession, first-quarter touchdown en route to 21 first-quarter points, and it appeared the Eagles would run away to an easy victory. That did not happen.
The Eagles had 263 yards at halftime and only 75 in the second half to finish with 338. The offense and defense struggled in the second half but were a DeVonta Smith drop away from winning the game.
They have lost 2 games this season due to costly 4th quarter drops.
The loss of their franchise Quarterback loomed large. Jalen Hurts leaving the game injured showed everyone who had questioned what he brings to the Eagles offense what it looks like without him.
Eagles’ Offense
The loss of QB1 Jalen Hurts was not felt just in the passing game but also in the rushing. Mobile QBs are the cheat code for RB rushing yards in today’s NFL. If teams are playing two high safeties, it opens up the run game, and you have an additional player in the box. The Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, have exposed this mismatch all season long. If the opposing edge rusher crashes on the RB, the play is modified for a QB keeper. This aspect of their offense was sorely missed.
Jalen Hurts left the game in the first quarter after the 11th play due to a concussion on a designed run. He had 41 yards on three carries before exiting the contest. The dynamic he brings to the field is hard to quantify, but everyone saw today what the offense misses when he is not there.
Kenny Pickett entered the game after the refs forced Jalen Hurts to the blue medical tent and immediately threw a reception to AJ Brown. His second pass was another AJ Brown catch, and the third was also to AJ, resulting in a touchdown. Pickett played as well as expected but did not do enough to overcome a 22-point 4th quarter from the Commanders. Kenny was 8 of 11 in the first half and only 6 of 13 in the second. He had one TD and one interception.
Saquon Barkley started their first drive with a 20-yard run and ended it with a first possession first quarter touchdown. His second touchdown was a 68-yarder. He is the best and most dynamic RB in the game. He finished with 150 yards on 29 carries and 2 TDs. One hundred twenty-two of those yards were in the first half.
A.J. Brown had 15 targets and hauled eight receptions for 97 yards and a TD. He got the best of Marshawn Lattimore. These two could be facing one another again during Wild Card Weekend. AJ was limited to 23 receiving yards in the second half. The 97 yards pushed A.J. over 1000 yards for his third season in a row with the Eagles. If Brown strings a few more of these seasons together he will finish as the greatest WR in Eagles history.
DeVonta Smith had a very uncharacteristic drop that likely would have gone for a TD, resulting in a win. He finished the contest with 6 receptions for 51 yards. There are no concerns with Smitty heading into the postseason.
Grant Calcaterra’s struggles to block have become a liability. They could benefit from inserting a blocking TE, like Jack Stoll. The Eagles need Dallas Goedert back for the Super Bowl run and another tight end in the draft with a high pick. Calcaterra did not have a target in the game.
Jake Elliott missed his 6th field goal attempt over 50 yards. Overall, he had a good game, going 4 for 5, and did make a 50-yard field goal to give the Eagles the lead with less than four minutes remaining. It was an encouraging improvement, but they need him to play better. I also wonder if Elliott is unable to send kickoffs into the endzone. Mann has taken over those duties this season, is that because of a loss of leg strength?
Eagles’ Defense
Fangio blitzed too often and allowed too many explosive plays. The defense struggled in the red zone, which is unusual for them this season. They have only allowed a touchdown on 48% of those possessions. They gave up 3 of 4 versus the Commanders.
Stopping QBs who are twitchy in the pocket continues to be the Achilles heel of this defense. They have struggled with QBs who move around the pocket all season. Jayden Daniels took that to another level Sunday, as he is a true mobile running QB.
The Eagles blitzed 38% of Jayden Daniels dropbacks, they have only averaged 18% during the season. This seemed to be an attempt to make something happen defensively. The defense created five turnovers and gave up 36 points. Nick Sirianni stated the struggles well in his postgame.
“Sloppy with penalties, sloppy with too many men on the field, sloppy with our fundamentals.”
Josh Sweat had a big TFL on 4th down to stop Washington’s first drive. Then, he left the game early with an ankle injury. He tried to come back in on a late third down but was not the same. The defense missed his presence and pressures in this one.
Nolan Smith had a sack, a QB hit, three tackles, and two fumble recoveries. He seems to get better every week and is realizing all of that potential that excited the Eagles brass when they selected him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jalyx Hunt had four tackles and set the edge well against the run. Hunt showed off his speed, running down a ball carrier for no gain on a big second down play. Jalyx is improving every time he sees the field but is better in a complementary role at this stage. He played more snaps when Josh Sweat left the field injured. He is a rising force on the Eagles D!
Jalen Carter forced a fumble on the first play of the Commander’s second drive, which Nolan Smith recovered. He continues to bottle up the middle better than anyone in the NFL and constantly fights through double-teams to accomplish it. He finished with three tackles but is always more disruptive than the stat sheet suggests.
Jordan Davis left in the 2nd quarter injured; he was credited with one tackle before leaving the game.
Milton Williams was a force on the line of scrimmage and had one TFL. He continues to put strong play on tape during his contract season.
Zack Baun forced his fifth fumble on the season, the second most in the NFL. He added 11 tackles. His All-Pro season continues.
Nakobe Dean led the team with 12 tackles. He was banged up and left the field for a bit but came back in. The linebacking core continues to be a bright spot for the Eagles defense.
Quinyon Mitchell gave up his first TD, but he had the longest run of plays in the NFL before giving it up. This will only fuel Q heading into the playoffs. The battle of McLaurin and Mitchell should be a fun matchup for years to come.
Cooper DeJean forced and then recovered a fumble. He also caused a receiver to bail out of a catch while seeing him moving in for the hit. He has only been a starter since week six, but his instincts and awareness are those of a wily veteran.
Darius Slay had seven tackles and three PBUs, including the tip that Reed Blankenship picked off. He has been a big part of the Eagle’s defensive backfield success with his play and mentorship. Many people counted him out, but they are better with him on the field.
Reed Blankenship picked off a BP Slay tipped pass, which many thought would end the game, but it was not meant to be. Reed has a flair for the dramatics-ending games and is being known as a closer.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was ejected for two 15-yard personal foul penalties, both for talking. Tristan McCollum struggled in his place. The Commanders scored touchdowns on three of its next four possessions after CJGJ was ejected. His loss was enormous.
Looking Ahead
Staying healthy could be the biggest obstacle the Eagles will face on their way to their second Super Bowl appearance in three years. This loss likely does little to their post-season ranking, but it did show how fast things can come off the rails without their starters healthy.
The Eagles could see Washington in the post-season, possibly as early as the Wild Card round. As big a win as this was for the Commanders, a team led by Jalen Hurts changes this result. I like their chances if they meet up again this season.
The 12–3 Philadelphia Eagles will face the Dallas Cowboys, in Philadelphia, at Lincoln Financial Field next Sunday at 4:25.
As always, Thank you for reading.
Follow me on X @PHLEagleNews
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
