Eagles draw again from Commanders in NFC East showdown

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles extended their NFC East lead, scoring 20 fourth-quarter components to beat the second-place Washington Commanders 26-18 on Thursday night time time at Lincoln Financial Field.

Eagles working once more Saquon Barkley ran for 146 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, whereas quarterback Jalen Hurts put Philadelphia ahead with a touchdown run to begin out the final word quarter. The Commanders took an early lead inside the first quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Brian Robinson Jr.

Here are essential points to know from Thursday night time time for every teams:

The story of the Eagles’ season to date has been the unimaginable play of Barkley and the surprising effectivity of Vic Fangio’s safety. That continued in Thursday’s important divisional win over the Commanders.

On a night when Hurts struggled to get going, the safety saved rookie quarterback sensation Jayden Daniels in confirm and acquired right here up with a key fourth-quarter interception courtesy of safety Reed Blankenship to help create a snowball impression in Philly’s favor. There had been solely modest expectations for the safety coming into the season, nevertheless the Eagles entered the week ranked second in yards allowed per recreation and tied for fifth in components allowed per recreation, figures that stand to hold up after Thursday.

Barkley scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns in a span of 20 seconds to point out what was largely a nail-biter into a comfortable victory for Philadelphia, which has now gained six in a row.

The Eagles’ chances of profitable the division shot up from 63% to 81%, according to ESPN Analytics. They’ll get pleasure from their mini-bye sooner than turning their consideration to a Week 12 matchup in direction of the Rams. It could be their remaining airplane expertise of the widespread season.

Most surprising effectivity: The normally reliable Jake Elliott had a subpar night time time, missing self-discipline goal makes an try from 44 and 51 yards inside the first half. He adopted up with a missed extra degree early inside the fourth quarter after the Eagles went ahead. Elliott entered the game tied for the second-highest self-discipline goal share (90.9%) amongst NFL kickers with 80-plus makes an try since 2021 nevertheless has now missed 5 self-discipline targets this season.

Promising growth: Barkley had his eighth recreation this season with a minimum of 100 yards from scrimmage, basically essentially the most inside the NFL this season. He accomplished with 198 full yards (146 dashing, 52 receiving on two receptions). It was Barkley’s fourth straight recreation with 100 scrimmage yards vs. the Commanders, marking the longest streak in direction of Washington in his career. — Tim McManus

Next recreation: at Los Angeles Rams (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 24)

The Commanders confirmed the NFL they wished to be reckoned with by the first 9 video video games this season. But Thursday night time time proved that they nonetheless weren’t okay to downside for NFC East supremacy, shedding their second recreation in a row and falling 1.5 video video games behind Philadelphia.

The Commanders’ safety restricted explosive Eagles receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith for most of the recreation. But Barkley gashed them as a runner and a receiver, whereas the Commanders couldn’t match his offensive output in direction of certainly one of many NFL’s prime defenses.

Washington has already gained three further video video games than it did all of ultimate season and is ahead of schedule in coach Dan Quinn’s first season. But the Commanders moreover confirmed that within the occasion that they want to win the division, they may need further firepower to struggle the Eagles’ quite a few and explosive assault.

The Commanders averaged a minimum of 5.3 yards per play in each of their first 9 video video games. In the earlier two weeks they’ve averaged 4.1 and 4.2, respectively. That may wish to improve for them to progress earlier being a pleasant shock this season.

Pivotal play: On fourth-and-2 from the Eagles’ 26-yard line with 8:01 remaining inside the recreation, Washington bypassed a self-discipline goal and potential 13-12 lead, attempting to get further components to help a tiring safety. Instead, Daniels bobbled the shotgun snap, which triggered a delay on a QB sweep spherical correct end. Eagles linebacker Zack Baun stopped him 2 yards in want of a main down to point out the ball over to Philadelphia, which scored touchdowns on its subsequent two possessions. The Commanders had reworked their first 11 fourth-down makes an try this season nevertheless now has failed on their earlier two.

Troubling growth: The offense was held to fewer than 300 yards for the second consecutive recreation — albeit in direction of two of the NFL’s prime defenses in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Both defenses triggered points for Daniels, nevertheless the Eagles moreover pressured him consistently. Washington reworked solely 3 of 12 third downs after going 5-14 each week prior to now.

QB breakdown: Daniels had a selected start to the season, nevertheless Thursday was his worst recreation of his youthful NFL career. He was unable to connect collectively along with his receivers Thursday — the wideouts blended for 4 catches and 28 yards. Daniels’ legs haven’t been a component of late; he has rushed for 13 yards beforehand two video video games as teams have carried out properly to keep up him contained inside the pocket. Daniels threw one interception and didn’t truly threaten the Eagles’ safety. — John Keim

Next recreation: vs. Dallas Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Nov. 24)