Eagles Stage Comeback to Beat Washington Commanders 38-31
LANDOVER, Md. — In yet another intense matchup between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles, the Eagles came out on top with a 38-31 victory on Sunday afternoon. With this win, the Eagles improved their record to an impressive 7-1 for the season. The team now sets its sights on a crucial NFC East showdown against the Dallas Cowboys before heading into the bye week.
Let’s dive into the performances of individual players in this week’s report card:
Quarterback:
Jalen Hurts had a stellar game despite nursing a left knee injury. He completed 29 out of 38 passes for 319 yards and an impressive four touchdowns, earning a passer rating of 135.7. This was only the second game in Hurts’ career where he threw four passing touchdowns. In fact, Hurts joins an elite club of Eagles quarterbacks who have completed 75% of their passes for over 300 yards and four touchdowns in a game.
Grade: A
Running back:
D’Andre Swift had a decent game, rushing for 57 yards on 16 attempts and recording one touchdown. However, a costly fumble by Kenny Gainwell inside the 5-yard line in the second quarter overshadowed their performance. The Eagles’ running game has been lacking in recent weeks and needs improvement.
Grade: C+
Receiver:
A.J. Brown had a standout performance against the Commanders with eight catches on eight targets, accumulating 130 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Brown’s performance over the past six weeks has been exceptional, making him the first player in NFL history to achieve 125+ receiving yards in six consecutive games. DeVonta Smith also had a solid game with 7 catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. Julio Jones also contributed with a touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.
Grade: A+
Tight end:
Dallas Goedert had a relatively quiet day, catching four passes for 36 yards on seven targets. However, his 16-yard catch on 3rd-and-2 in the fourth quarter proved crucial for the team. Backup tight end Grant Calcaterra suffered a concussion and had to leave the game.
Grade: B
Offensive line:
The offensive line provided excellent pass protection, allowing Hurts to throw for 319 yards and four touchdowns while only being sacked a couple of times. However, the running game struggled, managing just 59 yards on the ground. The offensive line will need to work on improving their run blocking.
Grade: B+
Defensive line:
Haason Reddick had a solid game with one sack, one forced fumble, two quarterback hits, and three tackles. The Eagles managed to sack Sam Howell only once during the game. Reddick had another potential sack, but Howell threw the ball to no one to intentionally ground it. The defensive line experienced some injuries but persevered through the game.
Grade: C+
Linebacker:
The Eagles continue to rotate their linebackers, which is somewhat surprising. Nakobe Dean led the team with 12 tackles and two tackles for loss. Sean Desai, the defensive coordinator, seems to be experimenting with different linebacker pairings, suggesting that no pair has definitively stood out.
Grade: C+
Secondary:
Reed Blankenship made a pivotal interception in the fourth quarter, providing a much-needed spark for the Eagles’ defense. However, the secondary struggled overall, allowing Washington’s quarterback, Howell, to complete 75% of his passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns. They made some adjustments in the second half but still have room for improvement.
Grade: D+
Special teams:
Britain Covey had a solid punt return for 25 yards, while the kick return coverage prevented any significant gains for Washington. Kicker Jake Elliott was perfect, scoring on his only field goal attempt and converting all five extra points. Punter Braden Mann had a good game with two punts for 117 yards, but one resulted in a touchback.
Grade: B
Coaching:
Head coach Sean Desai faced a challenging task against the Eric Bieniemy-led offensive unit of Washington. While Bieniemy seemed to have the edge in this matchup, the Eagles’ coaching staff responded well to adversity, finding ways to win even when games don’t go according to plan. However, the decision to continue playing Gainwell in the red zone backfired in the first half.
Grade: B
The Philadelphia Eagles have shown resilience and determination throughout the season, finding ways to win even when the odds are against them. With a well-earned victory over the Washington Commanders, the team now sets its sights on a crucial game against the Dallas Cowboys in their quest for NFC East dominance.