Eagles Beat Commanders in Rare Saturday Night Game, 29–18

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders faced off in an uncommon Saturday matchup, with both teams on markedly different trajectories. The Eagles are in pursuit of another significant playoff run, while Washington has endured an underwhelming season, having sidelined promising young quarterback Jayden Daniels due to an elbow injury. With the absence of key players, this game became a demonstration of team depth and potential future contributors.

Ultimately, the Eagles relied on Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and a formidable offensive line to secure a 29–18 victory.

Washington Strikes First After Early Fumble

The game commenced in the most unfortunate manner for Philadelphia. On the initial kickoff, rookie returner Will Shipley fumbled the ball, allowing Washington to recover at the Eagles’ 26-yard line.

Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. propelled the Commanders forward with bruising runs both up the middle and around the edges, achieving substantial yardage. However, the Eagles’ defense tightened its grip in the red zone, thwarting two pass attempts from Marcus Mariota. Consequently, Washington settled for a short field goal, taking an early 3–0 lead.

Hurts responded decisively on the ensuing drive. He utilized his mobility to scramble and connected with DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown on quick, effective passes. In the red zone, Hurts found Smith on a brief pass to the right, resulting in a touchdown that put the Eagles ahead 7–3 late in the first quarter.

Croskey-Merritt Powers Washington to Halftime Lead

During the second quarter, Washington showcased what their future rushing attack might resemble. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt stepped up, breaking free from arm tackles and driving the pile forward. Mariota connected with Terry McLaurin deep once, after which Croskey-Merritt and Rodriguez exchanged carries near the goal line.

After several attempts within the 5-yard line, Croskey-Merritt finally managed to push the ball across the line for a 1-yard touchdown. The successful extra point put the Commanders ahead 10–7.

The Eagles attempted to counter before halftime, but kicker Jake Elliott struggled, missing three long field goals, including attempts from 52 and 57 yards. Washington entered the locker room with a slim 10–7 lead, a minor highlight in an otherwise tough season.

Hurts and Goedert Flip the Game

The second half began with a scare for Washington. Mariota connected with Treylon Burks over the middle, but he later sustained a hit that forced him to exit the game, bringing backup quarterback Jacoby Johnson into the game.

The Eagles capitalized on this opportunity. Hurts orchestrated an extensive drive, with Barkley gaining valuable yards and Dallas Goedert making significant contributions across the middle of the field. Hurts concluded the drive by finding Goedert on a short route to the right, resulting in a 15-yard touchdown. This score put Philadelphia back in the lead at 14–10, and they would not relinquish it again.

Barkley and Bigsby Slam the Door

Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles' offensive line asserted its dominance. Barkley exploited open lanes and evaded tackles effectively. He capped one drive with a 12-yard touchdown run, extending the score to 21–10.

Later, Barkley made the most significant play of the game with a remarkable 48-yard run down the left side to the Washington 26. Rookie Tank Bigsby entered the game and maintained the pressure, scoring on a 22-yard run. Barkley then executed a successful two-point conversion run, increasing the lead to 29–10.

Commanders’ Late Fight Is Not Enough

In a commendable display, the Commanders continued to fight. Johnson connected with Deebo Samuel Sr. and tight end Ben Sinnott on short passes, while Rodriguez demonstrated strength with several impressive runs. Rodriguez finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown, and Joshua McNichols added a successful two-point conversion run, reducing the score to 29–18.

Washington's attempt at an onside kick was unsuccessful, allowing the Eagles to drain the remaining clock with Bigsby and backup quarterback Tanner McKee taking kneel-downs.

Looking Ahead

For the Eagles, this Saturday victory illustrated a winning formula that could prove effective in January: a physical running game, smart decision-making from Hurts, and a defense capable of bending without breaking.

For the Commanders, the game represented an opportunity to focus on the future. With Jayden Daniels nursing his elbow, the experience gained by players like Johnson, Croskey-Merritt, Rodriguez, and Sinnott holds greater importance than the final outcome. Although the loss is disheartening today, the Commanders remain optimistic that this experience will prepare them for the eventual return of their young star quarterback next season.