LANDOVER, Md. — The Philadelphia Eagles faced a challenging setback in their quest for the NFC’s top seed as they fell to the Washington Commanders 36-33 on Sunday. The game took a crucial turn early when quarterback Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion just minutes into the contest. Hurts was ruled out after sustaining blows to his head during a run, and Coach Nick Sirianni did not have any updates on his condition following the game. “I haven’t spoken to our medical staff yet,” Sirianni remarked. “Anything related to head injuries is beyond our control.”
The Eagles, now faced with uncertainty regarding Hurts’ availability for the upcoming home game against the Dallas Cowboys, may have jeopardized their chances for a first-round bye in the playoffs. Receiver DeVonta Smith expressed frustration with the team’s performance, mentioning a dropped pass that could have helped secure a first down late in the game. “We didn’t play our game. We hurt ourselves with penalties and other mistakes, but we still had an opportunity to win,” he said.
In a surprising turn of events, the Eagles’ touted defense allowed Washington’s rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to throw for five touchdowns and accumulate 339 yards through the air. The run game for the Commanders saw Saquon Barkley rush for 109 yards and two touchdowns in the opening quarter before being limited to just 41 yards for the remainder of the game. The shift in defensive strategy from the Commanders following Hurts’ exit played a significant role in Barkley’s diminished production.
Kenny Pickett, who took over as quarterback, completed 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards, tossing a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown but also throwing an interception. This marked Pickett’s first notable game since transitioning from the Pittsburgh Steelers. He reflected on his performance, saying, “I just tried to focus on my preparation, but at the end of the day, I had to just go out and play. There are definitely some plays I wish I could have back.” Pickett had X-rays on his injured ribs and anticipated further medical evaluation.
Despite challenges, Pickett received support from teammates. Barkley acknowledged his efforts, stating, “I don’t believe in moral victories, but I have to give credit to Kenny. He came in and put us in a position to win, which is all we could ask for.”
The blame didn’t solely rest on Pickett’s shoulders, as the Eagles lost key players in the second half, including defensive end Josh Sweat, tackle Jordan Davis, and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was ejected after receiving two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Gardner-Johnson later took to social media, expressing frustration over his ejection, claiming, “I respectfully got kicked out for nothing” and emphasizing his passionate play. Referee Shawn Smith confirmed that the second penalty was due to taunting an opponent.
Looking ahead, the Eagles need to secure one more victory to clinch the NFC East title, along with one of the top two playoff seeds in the conference. After facing the Cowboys next week, they will conclude their regular season against the New York Giants, who currently sit at the bottom of their division.
