Commanders Use Huge Fourth Quarter To Beat The Eagles (12-22-24)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: Washington Commanders
LANDOVER, MD – The Washington Commanders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 36-33, on Sunday afternoon at Northwest Stadium.
Washington (10-5) has earned its first 10-win season since the 2012-13 season, where former rookie Robert Griffin III led them to a 10-6 record, securing the NFC East crown and a playoff appearance.
Philadelphia (12-3) sees their 10-game winning streak snapped. The Eagles lost starting quarterback Jalen Hurts to a concussion in the first quarter after linebacker Frankie Luvu connected with a hit on Hurts who was scrambling and came to the ground hard on his head.
The Commanders used a huge fourth-quarter outing where they outscored the Philadelphia offense 22-6. Philadelphia led 27-14 with 25 seconds left in the third quarter and had Washington in a 4th and 11 situation from the Philadelphia 41. Washington head coach Dan Quinn elected for his offense to stay on the field and go for it as they were on the plus side of the field. Jayden Daniels made a huge play to pick up the first down and more, after stepping up and slipping between three Philadelphia defenders to pick up 29-yards. Daniels capped off the drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to Olamide Zaccheaus into the right corner of the endzone, to make it a one-score game with a little under 13-and-a-half minutes left.
Washington got the ball back, still down one score, and Daniels connected again with a wide-open Zacchaeus down the right sideline. Zaccheaus spun and juked past two defenders into the endzone, giving the Commanders a 28-27 lead.
Kenny Pickett on the ensuing drive converted on two key fourth-down conversions and gave Philadelphia the lead again up 30-28 with over three minutes remaining.
Daniels was picked off by safety Reed Blakership on the next drive after forcing a late crossbody pass to Luke McCaffery with 3:06 on the clock.
Phili made it to the Washington 22, but a key drop by wide receiver DeVonta Smith on a potential game-ending 3rd and five conversions where he was open down the middle of the field on an in-breaking slant route. Philadelphia made a field goal to lead 33-28 with under two minutes left.
Daniels led a nine-play 57-yard drive, finishing off the drive by throwing a nine-yard go-ahead strike to Jamison Crowder in the back of the endzone giving the Commanders a 34-33 lead. Running back Jeremy McNichols converted a two-point conversion all but ending the game 36-33, with six seconds left.
Key Contributor Of The Game
● Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury: In the first matchup between these two teams, the offensive coordinator received criticism from fans after the offense stagnated throughout the game. Many felt Kingsbury played it safe with his play calling and didn’t make the proper adjustments to counter the heavy pressure enforced by the Eagles’ defense. On Sunday, Kingsbury made good adjustments to attack the Eagles’ secondary and throw different looks at them. There was a lot of pre-snap movement and concepts that caused the Eagles’ defense trouble catching on too. Also, the involvement of the entire wide receiver corp allowed them to move the ball well and Daniels completed the ball to eight different players.
Mistakes By Both Sides
Here’s a stat that blew the minds of anyone who watched, covered, listened, and reviewed this matchup. Washington won the game despite turning the ball over five different times (three fumbles and two interceptions). Running back Brian Robinson Jr. had his worst game yet this season and in a Washington uniform. He had two key fumbles on drives, and Washington had excellent field possession. Philadelphia only scored three times out of the five turnovers. Safety CJ Gardner-Johnson was ejected in the third after receiving two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and even defensive tackle Jalen Carter was called for one in the first half. Self-inflicted penalties can’t happen and allowed Washington to extend drives.
Key Statistics
Philadelphia
● RB Saquan Barkley: 29 carries, 150 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, and two scores.
● WR AJ Brown: 8 receptions, 97 yards, and a touchdown
● LB Nolan Smith: 3 tackles, 1 sack, and two fumble recoveries
● K Jake Elliot: 4/5 on field goal attempts
Washington
● WR Jamison Crowder: 2 catches,15 yards and a touchdown
● WR Olamide Zaccheaus: 5 catches, 70 yards and two touchdowns
● WR Terry McLaurin: 5 catches, 60 yards and a touchdown
● QB Jayden Daniels: 24/39 completed passes for 258 passing yards, 5 passing touchdowns, and two interceptions to go along with nine rushes for 81 rushing yards.
● CB Marshon Lattimore: 4 total tackles, 3 solo, and 3 pass deflections
● LB Frankie Luvu: 7 total tackles, 3 solo, 2 tackles for loss, and an interception
Up Next:
Washington hosts the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football.
Philadelphia returns home for an NFC East matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at 1 pm.