The Eagles scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Commanders and add some distance to their lead in the NFC East.
The Commanders trailed 12-10 when they were stopped on second down and third and 1. Encouraged by an early-season hot streak, coach Dan Quinn called his rookie quarterback’s number on fourth-and-2 from the Eagles’ 26. Jayden Daniels threw the ball hard, ran to his right, and was pushed out of bounds by linebacker Zac Baun.
The Eagles took control of Downs. A decisive victory would have to wait for the Commanders led by Quinn and Daniels. Shortly after that misfire, Saquon Barkley ran for the first of his two fourth-quarter touchdowns to give division-leading Philadelphia a two-score lead, and the Eagles (8-2) sent the Commanders (7-4) to their second consecutive loss, 26-18 on Thursday night .
“Bold call,” Quinn said. “I would also say we were ready for that moment. Didn’t like the execution. But we’ve been an excellent fourth-down team. Going into it, we knew we had to take our shots against a tough division. We didn’t like the execution or the result, but we were ready for it.”
Zane Gonzalez, promoted from the practice squad with Austin Seibert out with a hip injury, made a 45-yarder in the third quarter for a 10-3 lead. Quinn decided not to give him another shot from about 44 yards out for a 13-12 lead.
“To be the heavy hitters that we want to be, you have to be able to close,” Quinn said. “How do you learn the lesson of closing? That’s who we’re going to be. You knew this adversity was coming. It just comes.”
Daniels completed 22 of 32 for 191 yards and a late touchdown pass. He was intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship late in the fourth, setting up Barkley’s second TD. As for the decisive fourth-down call, Daniels said, “I’m always like, let’s go for it.”
It was a disappointing night for Daniels and top receiver Terry McLaurin , who surpassed 100 yards receiving for the fourth time in the last eight games, accumulating 113 on five catches in last Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh.
McLaurin had just one catch for 10 yards against the Eagles and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
“It happens,” McLaurin said. “I can only control what I can.”
Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship celebrates with teammates after his interception during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagen Images (Bill Streicher-Imagen Images)
Quinn said he would give the Commanders a few extra days off before the stretch run. The Commanders will play four of their next five games at home, starting Nov. 24 against Dallas.
He needs a breather.
While the Eagles had the earliest bye in the NFL in Week 5, the Commanders had the latest bye in Week 14, and injuries are mounting after a relatively healthy start to the season.