The Philadelphia Eagles’ 29-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on Saturday night not only secured the NFC East crown but also marked the franchise’s first back-to-back division title in 21 years.
A Quiet Moment in the Locker Room
In the visitors’ locker room, Jalen Hurts lifted a black t-shirt that hung over the back of a chair. The message on the front read, “BEEN THERE, WON THAT.” He read the words silently, nodded, and smiled.
The Game That Delivered the Title
The 29-18 win over the Commanders gave Philadelphia the NFC East title for the second consecutive season. Players donned championship shirts and hats, posed for photos with their position groups, and kept the celebration low-key. The new merchandise in the locker room made the significance of the win even clearer.
Why a Back-to-Back Title Matters
Winning the division again is a milestone. The Eagles last repeated a division title in 2001-04, a streak that lasted four years. That achievement occurred 21 years ago, making the current repeat a rare event in the modern era.
Coach Nick Sirianni on the Challenge
“It’s hard. It’s hard to do this,” Sirianni said. “Obviously, in this division, we’ve seen the data says it’s hard to repeat as winners in this division. We’re happy about that. We’ll celebrate it. Got a lot to clean up and then we have a lot more goals on our mind.”
Veteran Voices
Running back Saquon Barkley added, “You gotta be present in the moment, enjoy it. Back-to-back NFC East champions, something that hasn’t been done in 20 years. It’s a big deal. But it’s kind of like you enjoy it now, take a day off and then right back to work. That’s the mindset that we’re going to have and have to have. But it’s important.”
Linebacker Brandon Graham, who entered the league in 2010 and is now 37, said, “It’s cool, man. Because being here for 16 years, it’s never been that in a while. I’ve been waiting on that time and it’s finally here. But now we’ve done this. This is a step in the journey but we got so much more ahead of us that we’ve gotta go accomplish and we’re trying to hold that trophy one more time this year.”
Season Context
The Eagles sit at 10-5 with two games remaining in the regular season. They have secured a playoff spot but still have a chance to improve their seeding. The team’s record reflects a season of ups and downs, yet they remain poised to play meaningful football in January.
Sirianni’s Coaching Legacy
Under Sirianni, the Eagles have made the playoffs five times in five seasons and have won three division titles in four years. He is one of only three Super Bowl-era head coaches-alongside Bill Cowher and Chuck Knox-to reach the playoffs five times and win three division titles in their first five seasons. He is also the only one among them to win a Super Bowl during that span.
Jalen Hurts on the Moment
Hurts echoed the team’s sentiment: “I’ve said it multiple times. These times, they’re rare times. It’s something that we all need to soak in and relish in, in this moment right now. And take it a day at a time as we always have. But keep the main thing the main thing. That’s what we’ve done for 5 years since everybody has collectively been here. That’s been my approach since I’ve been an Eagle.”
Looking Ahead
Sirianni reminded everyone that the celebration is brief: “Everyone is vying to get into the playoffs to do what the ultimate goal is. We’re excited to be there. This division has had so much parity in it throughout the years. To be able to be a back-to-back winner and get ourselves into the playoffs, obviously, our goals are much higher. We’ve raised the expectations of what we expect. We’re pumped to get in but we’ve got more work to do. We’ll go back to work. We’ll celebrate this tonight. Players will be off tomorrow, coaches will be in and we’ll get back to work and try to improve from this game.”
Key Takeaways
- Eagles clinched NFC East title 29-18 over Washington.
- First back-to-back division win in 21 years.
- Coach Sirianni joins Cowher and Knox for playoff/division record.
The Eagles’ achievement is a testament to the team’s resilience and focus. As the season winds down, the organization remains committed to building on this success while preparing for the challenges ahead in the playoffs.
