In a decisive win on Saturday, the Philadelphia Eagles routed the Washington Commanders 29-18 in Landover, Maryland, securing the NFC East title for the second straight year and marking the first back-to-back division crown in the league’s history since the early 2000s.
Quarterback Performance
Jalen Hurts finished 22 of 30 for 185 yards and two touchdowns, earning a 111.1 rating. He also rushed 7 times for 40 yards. Despite a few incomplete throws-including a missed pass to A.J. Brown on a second-down play in the second quarter-Hurts recovered with a highlight touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert on a 3rd-and-goal from the 15-yard line. His scrambling ability was on display as he accumulated 40 yards on the ground.
Running Back Dominance
Saquon Barkley carried the ball 21 times for 132 yards and a touchdown, becoming the third player on the team to surpass 1,000 yards this season. His 12-yard touchdown run was followed by a 48-yard spin move that showcased his elusiveness. Barkley forced six missed tackles, a season-high, for 63 yards after the missed tackles. Tank Bigsby also contributed, rushing 4 times for 37 yards and scoring a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Receiving Highlights
A.J. Brown caught 9 of 12 passes for 95 yards. DeVonta Smith added 6 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown, while Jahan Dotson recorded 3 receptions for 13 yards. Brown’s blocking on Barkley’s touchdown run and Smith’s support on Barkley’s 48-yard run were key moments in the offense’s balanced attack.
Tight End Touch
Dallas Goedert made a perfect 3-catch performance, totaling 32 yards and a touchdown. His 10th touchdown of the season tied a franchise record held by Pete Retzlaff in 1965. The absence of Cameron Latu (stinger) prompted the promotion of E.J. Jenkins from the practice squad, giving him a run on the offensive scheme.
Offensive Line
The line faced a couple of costly false starts in the red zone but otherwise performed well. Hurts was sacked only twice, and the Eagles amassed 200 rushing yards-their second 200-yard game of the season-illustrating the line’s ability to open holes.
Defensive Line
Jordan Davis led the defensive line with six tackles and two tackles for loss. The Commanders’ early rushing success evaporated quickly, with the defense limiting them to 3.5 yards per carry. Brandon Graham and Byron Young each recorded a sack, while Nolan Smith’s hit on Marcus Mariota forced the quarterback out of the game.
Linebacker
Zack Baun recorded nine tackles, remaining the team’s top tackler. With Nakobe Dean out after a hamstring injury in the first half, Jihaad Campbell took over most of the game. Campbell had started the season as the primary linebacker but lost the starting role when Dean returned from the PUP list.
Secondary
Cooper DeJean delivered four pass breakups and an interception, targeting the Commanders’ passing game eight times and allowing only four completions for 32 yards. Quinyon Mitchell also contributed with additional pass breakups, making the secondary a difficult zone for Washington’s receivers.
Special Teams
Jake Elliott missed both field-goal attempts from 43 and 52 yards and a 57-yard attempt that did not count, all falling wide left. His recent inconsistency raises concerns heading into the playoffs. Will Shipley fumbled on the opening play and made a blunder on a return, failing to keep his body in the end zone for a touchback. Sydney Brown made a notable tackle on punt coverage, while Shipley returned to make a big tackle on kickoff coverage.
Coaching
The game capped a 10-5 season, the best record in the franchise’s history under Nick Sirianni’s five-year tenure. The Eagles’ playoff appearances every year and the back-to-back NFC East titles underscore the program’s stability. Sirianni’s decision to go for a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter succeeded but also sparked a fight that led to a right guard’s ejection. Offensively, the team experimented with empty sets and increased tempo, while defensively, Vic Fangio’s unit continued to perform at an elite level. The final score was somewhat misleading due to a garbage-time touchdown.
Key Takeaways
- Eagles secure NFC East title for second consecutive year, first back-to-back in over two decades.
- Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley combine for 185 passing yards and 132 rushing yards, including a 12-yard touchdown run.
- Special teams struggled, with Jake Elliott missing all field-goal attempts and Will Shipley fumbling early.
The victory not only cemented Philadelphia’s division dominance but also positioned the team for a deep playoff run, as the coaching staff and players continue to refine their strategies for the postseason.
