Leading at halftime for the second straight game against a likely playoff contender, the Washington Commanders showed promise, particularly on defense against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“We were able to make our tackles,” linebacker Bobby Wagner noted. “We got a good understanding of their strategy, and they adjusted well.” However, the game took a downward turn shortly after. A pivotal moment was the failed fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter, but concerns looming larger include the defense’s struggle against the run and the health of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, especially following the offense’s two worst performances of the season.
“Losing for the past two weeks means we were anticipating this adversity,” said coach Dan Quinn. “Every team experiences it. The timing varies. I am confident in how we will respond, given the team’s spirit and their commitment to one another in the locker room.”
The Commanders now hold a 7-4 record after a prime-time defeat of 26-18 to the Eagles, just five days after a narrow 28-27 loss to the Steelers. They allowed Philadelphia to gain 140 of 228 rushing yards in the second half, which included two touchdowns by Saquon Barkley.
“Even if you contain him for three quarters, it only takes one play for him to ignite,” Wagner warned, dismissing concerns that he and his fellow defenders were wearing out as the game progressed.
Quinn believed his players “emptied their tanks” and sensed they were close to the breaking point after taking the lead into the fourth quarter.
The offense deserves some criticism as well. The final eight points and total of 75 yards came only in the closing minutes when they were trailing 26-10, with the Eagles adjusting their defense conservatively.
After a 242-yard performance against the Steelers, the team’s yardage dropped to 262 against Philadelphia. “We just weren’t in sync,” remarked running back Brian Robinson Jr., who carried the ball 16 times for 63 yards and a touchdown upon returning from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury. “I can’t quite pinpoint why we couldn’t establish our rhythm, but it’s definitely a collective issue. We’ve got to improve.”
Daniels has been contending with sore ribs since his early exit in a game against Carolina on October 20. Additionally, a cut on his right hand has raised concerns, but the No. 2 pick remains optimistic about his ability to perform. “If I was truly limited, I wouldn’t be on the field,” he stated, noting a drop in his passing completion rate to 59.5% over the last four games, down from 75.6% before that. “No player is completely healthy at this point, especially with a short turnaround. My teammates deserve credit for getting their bodies ready to play.”
The good news is that Robinson’s return bodes well for the offense, which thrives on maintaining balance against opponents. In the first half, he averaged 6.3 yards per carry, though adjustments by Philadelphia curtailed that momentum.
On the flip side, the team is still gaining experience in close games, a process that simply requires time. As of now, Washington has yet to defeat any team with a winning record, with more such matchups looming ahead, particularly against Dallas and Tennessee at home.
“We have to regroup,” linebacker Frankie Luvu emphasized. “We need to bounce back, avoiding the snowball effect to ensure this doesn’t linger and impact the rest of our season because there are plenty of games left. We need to learn from this and move forward.”
In terms of individual performances, tight end Zach Ertz had a strong showing upon returning to Philadelphia. He recorded six catches for 47 yards and scored a late touchdown, expertly keeping his foot in bounds.
Meanwhile, the offensive line, which had previously been a source of unexpected strength, struggled against the Eagles pass rush. Daniels was sacked three times and lost 20 yards, experiencing more pressure than he has in recent games.
Injuries have also posed problems for the team. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who joined Washington from New Orleans via trade, has yet to see action due to a persistent hamstring issue. This break might provide some relief, and although the coaching staff emphasizes patience, general manager Adam Peters acquired Lattimore to contend with elite wide receivers like CeeDee Lamb and Calvin Ridley.
A key statistic from the game was the single reception recorded by top wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who shrugged off the limited targets, stating, “The ball didn’t come my way, so let’s just focus on the next game.”
Looking ahead, the team aims to recover, given that Washington has one of the latest bye weeks in the NFL. Many players are playing through pain, including Daniels. “Utilize this time to take care of your body so we’re ready for the next matchup against another division rival,” McLaurin advised. “Everyone needs to get their mind and body prepared for next week.”