29-18 victory over Washington secures the Eagles’ fifth straight playoff berth.
A Must-Win Game
The Philadelphia Eagles’ 29-18 triumph over the Washington Commanders on Saturday in Landover, Md., marked the team’s first playoff appearance in five consecutive seasons and the second time in franchise history to achieve such a streak. The win came after a season full of ups and downs, but the Eagles’ resilience shone through.
The game was a roller-coaster. Will Shipley’s fumble on the opening kickoff gave Washington a quick field goal just 3 ½ minutes in. Jake Elliott missed two field-goal attempts, and Washington held a 10-7 lead into the third quarter. A penalty wiped out a touchdown, keeping the Eagles in the fight. In the third quarter, Jalen Hurts connected with Dallas Goedert for a touchdown with 3 ½ minutes left, capping a 17-play drive. Three minutes into the fourth quarter, Saquon Barkley’s 12-yard run after Cooper DeJean’s interception turned a 3-point deficit into an 11-point lead. The Eagles’ momentum was undeniable.
“I thought this was a real character win because a lot of things went wrong for this team in a must-win situation,” the analysis noted. “If you keep fighting, good things generally happen, and that’s what we saw Saturday in Landover.”
Coaching Milestones
Head coach Nick Sirianni has become the fifth coach in NFL history to take his first five teams to the playoffs. Over those five seasons, he has led the Eagles to two Super Bowls, six playoff wins, three NFC East titles and a .700 winning percentage.
The victory also cements the Eagles as the first team since the 2001-2004 era to win back-to-back NFC East titles. The franchise’s ownership, general-manager, and coaching staff are often cited as among the best in football, and the team’s roster is one of the youngest in the league.
Offense in Motion
Jalen Hurts
Hurts completed 22 of 30 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, earning a 111.1 passer rating. This follows a 12-for-15, 175-yard, three-TD performance against the Raiders and a previous game with four interceptions and five turnovers against the Chargers. His current completion percentage stands at 76 %.
Saquon Barkley
Barkley rushed for 207 yards on Saturday, bringing his season total to 1,072 yards with three games remaining. He is the first Eagle with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since LeSean McCoy (2013-2014). His average of 175 yards per game over the last three weeks highlights a solid running game that the Eagles are relying on heading into the playoffs.
Dallas Goedert
Goedert’s 10th touchdown catch of the year tied Pete Retzlaff for the most touchdown catches by an Eagles tight end in a single season. Retzlaff had 10 catches in 1965. Only two other Eagles tight ends have more in the past 30 years: Tony Gonzalez (14 in 2004) and A.J. Brown (11 in 2022).
Wide Receivers
A.J. Brown finished the game with nine catches for 95 yards, bringing him to 73 catches for 935 yards and seven touchdowns. DeVonta Smith had six catches for 931 yards, and both are projected to finish the season with over 80 catches and more than 1,000 yards.
Defense Holds the Line
Vic Fangio’s defensive unit held Washington to 10 points, 178 yards, and 34 rushing yards. Key contributors included:
- Cooper DeJean, who made every play he faced;
- Jordan Davis, a “flat-out beast”;
- Zack Baun, who covered the field extensively;
- Marcus Epps, who has calmed down the second-safety spot;
- Brandon Graham, still performing at a high level;
- Byron Young, who recorded 2 ½ sacks.
The defense’s performance will be tested against the Bills in Sunday’s matchup, but the Eagles have shown no weakness so far.
Special Teams Concerns
Kicker Jake Elliott’s recent performance has raised questions. In the last nine games, he missed seven field-goal attempts, going 11-for-18. His first miss Saturday was a 43-yard attempt, followed by a 52-yard miss after a penalty following a 57-yard attempt. Elliott is the first Eagles kicker to miss seven field goals in a nine-game span since Chris Boniol in 1997. His accuracy since Week 7 sits at 61.1 %, the worst for an Eagles kicker in a nine-game span since Roger Ruzek in 1992.
Despite these struggles, Elliott’s long-range attempts remain a concern, with missed kicks at 41, 48, and 43 yards.
Key Takeaways
- The Eagles’ 29-18 win over Washington secures a fifth straight playoff appearance.
- Nick Sirianni has achieved historic milestones, including two Super Bowls and three NFC East titles.
- Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and the wide-receiver corps are performing at a high level.
- The defense has held Washington to 10 points and will face the Bills next.
- Jake Elliott’s recent field-goal accuracy has been a point of concern.
The Eagles enter the postseason with momentum, a balanced offense, a stout defense, and a roster that blends experience with youth. The team’s performance this season underscores its resilience and sets the stage for a competitive playoff run.
