PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Hurts continued to play despite suffering a severe hit to his head, while Saquon Barkley propelled his team to a decisive victory in the fourth quarter, crucial for maintaining the NFC East lead. Coach Nick Sirianni remains undeterred by any criticism, steering the team to further success. The Eagles (8-2) have firmly established themselves as contenders for the Super Bowl.
Recently, the Eagles have demonstrated an impressive performance, winning six consecutive games following their bye week. Their current standing places them just behind the Detroit Lions (8-1) for the best record in the NFC. Following their 26-18 win over the Commanders (7-4), the Eagles are in control of the NFC East, with a division title and home playoff game now appearing highly likely barring an unexpected collapse.
“I believe our players have been giving maximum effort, and positive outcomes often follow such dedication,” stated Sirianni. Indeed, the team’s performance speaks for itself.
Barkley shone brightly in the game, accumulating 198 scrimmage yards and scoring twice. He carried the ball 26 times for 146 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and also made two receptions for 52 yards. With 1,137 rushing yards achieved over 10 games, Barkley currently leads the NFL, moving ahead of Dallas’s Derrick Henry.
Hurts faced a tough situation in the second quarter when he was tackled head-first into the ground by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu, raising concerns about a concussion. “I guess I beat the protocol,” he humorously remarked, as he remained in the game to finish with 221 passing yards and a crucial rushing touchdown that gave the Eagles the lead.
Under Sirianni’s guidance, the Eagles have achieved a record of 42-19, holding the highest winning percentage in franchise history and ranking second among active NFL head coaches.
While Hurts and Barkley dominate the highlight reels, the Eagles’ defensive unit also deserves recognition for their potential to push the team deep into playoff territory. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter was a consistent force against the Commanders, applying pressure on quarterback Jayden Daniels while effectively stopping the run, with significant contributions from Nolan Smith and Josh Carter, who both sacked Daniels.
The Eagles’ defense restricted Washington to just 264 yards, marking one of their lowest totals this season, while also limiting them to below their season averages for rushing, passing, and conversion rates on third down. A key moment came when the defense made an essential fourth-down stop on Daniels’ scramble in the fourth quarter, providing a momentum shift that solidified the Eagles’ victory.
However, not everything went smoothly. Kicker Jake Elliott experienced a tough performance, missing field goals from 44 and 51 yards and failing to convert an extra point attempt, which allowed Washington to remain close until Barkley secured the win with two late touchdowns. “Jake has been incredibly reliable throughout his career and since I’ve been here as well,” Sirianni expressed. “We believe in him, and he will have opportunities to contribute and help us win.”
Although Elliott has set a franchise record by making seven field goals from over 50 yards in a season, he has struggled this year, missing all four attempts from that distance so far. This was also the first game in his career where he missed three kicks in one outing. “We have great faith in him, and relationships are built through challenging moments,” Sirianni added. “The team holds him in high regard due to his past achievements and character.”
Fortunately, the Eagles managed to exit the game without sustaining any injuries to key players.
In terms of numbers, the Eagles’ six-game winning streak is the longest they have recorded since 2002, tying for the fourth-longest winning stretch in a single season since 2004. It is also the longest winning streak following a bye week since the NFL introduced bye weeks in 1990, exceeding the previous record of four in 1996.
Looking ahead, the Eagles are set to face another evening matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on November 24.