The Washington Commanders were outscored 20-8 in the fourth quarter, losing 26-18 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. Washington entered Week 11 trying to get to 8-2 and reclaim the top spot in the NFC East. That would not be the case.
The game was slow, exposing the Washington offense’s lack of quick thinking and quarterback protection. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. made his presence known early in the first quarter, finishing off a four-play, 58-yard drive late in the first quarter. Robinson was missed in Sunday’s 28-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had been out due to a hamstring issue but recovered in time for Thursday night’s game. Robinson rushed 16 times for 63 yards to complement his one touchdown Thursday night.
Washington’s Offense Completely Silenced
Thursday night’s game started as a complete defensive battle, with both teams failing to break away and take control. The Commanders entered Thursday’s game with many defensive concerns and hopes that cornerback Marshon Lattimore would be ready. With Lattimore out for a second game since his arrival to the Commanders in mid-November, the defense had much to prove Thursday night.
They did well, holding the Eagles to three points up to the fourth quarter. The Eagles scored their first touchdown of the night with 12 minutes left in the game, thanks to an 11-play, 76-yard drive capped off with a “brotherly push” by the Eagles offense at the goal line to Jalen Hurts for the score, cutting the score and taking the lead 12-10. The Eagles added to their lead, scoring again with under five minutes to play, extending their lead to 19. Eagles kicker Jake Elliott had a rough night, missing two field goals (44, 51) and an extra point. Hurts completed 18 passes for 221 yards.
“This is an NFC tough division matchup,” head coach Dan Quinn said before going into halftime. Tough was the right word because the Eagles had the Commanders’ air game grounded for most of the game. Receiver Terry McLaurin, Washington’s top receiver, wouldn’t get a catch until 10:33 left in the fourth quarter at Philadelphia’s 44-yard line. Daniels connected to him for only ten yards. He finished with that being his only catch of the night. Running back Austin Ekeler got most of the touches, catching eight passes for 89 yards.
Daniels Slow, Looked Human For The First Time
Daniels had a hard night, unable to plant his feet and run his progressions. Entering the fourth quarter, he had 21 dropbacks, three sacks, and three hurries. Surprisingly, with under five minutes left in the game, he also threw an interception, a rarity for the rookie quarterback this season. Daniels entered Thursday night’s game with only two interceptions and looked like a typical NFL rookie quarterback, something he’s been far from all season.
The Eagles would make them pay for the pick with a 39-yard run by Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, making it three unstoppable drives that put the Commanders away in under 10 minutes. The Commanders would finally respond with under a minute left in the game with a 15-play, 70-yard drive ending with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion. They would try an unsuccessful onside kick, ending the game.
Final Thought
If there’s any joy to take away from this game, it would be that wide receiver Jahan Dotson didn’t have a breakout game. If you recall, the Eagles picked up Dotson and a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for a third-round pick and two seventh-round picks in the 2025 draft from the Commanders. Outside of that small joy, it was good to see former Eagles player turned Commanders tight end Zach Ertz score in the last seconds of the game.
