Philadelphia Eagles (8-2) – Washington Commanders (7-4): 26-18
Diesel. Between inefficiency and missed field goals, the Eagles took a while to get into their match. But as the match progressed, they imposed their will on Commanders who were a little too fair, whether in defense or in offensive efficiency.
Philadelphia was certainly not helped by a big head shock suffered by Jalen Hurts (18/28, 221 yards – 10 races, 39 yards, 1 TD) before halftime. Examined for a suspected concussion, the quarterback was finally able to return to the game. It was he who scored the touchdown which put his team in front in the last quarter, before Saquon Barkley (26 races, 146 yards, 2 TDs – 2 rec, 52 yards) comes to kill the match with a little festival.
Jayden Daniels (22/32, 191 yards, 1 TD, 1 int – 7 races, 18 yards) had a more difficult evening, including a decisive interception.
Saquon Barkley frees the Eagles
No touchdowns were scored by Philadelphia during the first three quarters of this game. We had to wait until the start of the last period to see Jalen Hurts enter the end zone. But with Jake Elliott on a bad night (2 missed field goals), the extra point was missed.
The score is therefore 12-10 for Philadelphia, and the visitors remain within shooting range. Washington finds itself in 4th & 2 on the opposing 26 yards. A field goal would give them the advantage, but Dan Quinn is greedy. He tries. Jayden Daniels is stopped while trying to go to the ground.
Five actions later, Saquon Barkley runs 23 yards for the KO touchdown (19-10). Especially since in the action that follows, Daniels is intercepted! Barkley does it again, this time with a 39-length run for another touchdown (26-10)!
The match changed. Zach Ertz (6 rec, 47 yards, 1 TD) scores and captures the two-point conversion against his former team to bring the Commanders closer (26-18). But it's too late. The onside kick is covered.
The Commanders jostled then tired
Things started off pretty well for the Commanders, with a touchdown on their second possession, on a run from Brian Robinson (16 races, 63 yards, 1 TD). But then, not much. Three punts to end the first half. And relatively short possessions, which forced the defense to come back more and more often to expose themselves to the more dominant Eagles in the trenches.
The vicious circle was underway: less rhythm for the attack, more fatigue for the defense. And the Eagles machine ended up unfolding: field goal, touchdown, touchdown and touchdown on the last four drives.
In addition to finishing the job offensively, the Eagles recovered well after their difficult start to the game on defense. Terry McLaurin (1 rec, 10 yards) was contained, there were no deep options for Daniels and most players were level.
The NFC has found its bosses.
