The Commanders fell to 3-5 with a 38-31 loss to the Eagles on Sunday at FedEx Field. Here are four takeaways from the game.
Quick passing game sparks offense in defeat: After a dreadful performance in last week’s loss to the Giants, the Commanders’ offense moved the ball more efficiently than it has all season behind Sam Howell. The second-year quarterback completed five quick, short passes to four different receivers on Washington’s opening possession, part of a game plan that effectively neutralized the Eagles’ pass rush and eventually led to explosive plays downfield. Howell threw long touchdown passes on Washington’s next two drives.
Howell completed 24 of 26 passes for 226 yards in the first half and finished 39 of 52 for 397 yards, including a career-high four touchdown passes. Howell was sacked at least four times in each of Washington’s first seven games, but the Eagles only got to him once, in the fourth quarter. Some credit for keeping Howell upright goes to Tyler Larsen, who replaced free agent acquisition Nick Gates at center, and Chris Paul, who started at left guard in place of the injured Saahdiq Charles.
Late interception, drops spoil upset bid: Howell made one of his first mistakes of the game midway through the fourth quarter, when Eagles safety Reed Blankenship intercepted a high pass intended for Terry McLaurin deep in Washington territory. Two plays later, Julio Jones’s touchdown catch gave the Eagles their first lead. A pair of uncharacteristic drops by McLaurin on low throws by Howell on Washington’s ensuing drive led to a turnover on downs.
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Washington’s defense forced a three-and-out, but officials ruled an apparent third-down catch by Dotson on the Commanders’ next possession was incomplete, and the call was upheld on replay review. Haason Reddick registered the Eagles’ first sack on the next play, which led to another touchdown and a 38-24 Philadelphia lead.
Dotson, who dropped the potential game-tying touchdown in last week’s loss at New York, was one of the biggest beneficiaries of Washington’s rejuvenated offense. The second-year wideout had five catches in the first half and finished with eight, for a career-high 108 yards.
Commanders’ defense forces two key turnovers: Washington was in position to get back to .500 thanks in part to its opportunistic defense. In the second quarter, with Washington leading, 14-3, and the Eagles in the red zone, Kam Curl forced a fumble by running back Kenneth Gainwell. Phidarian Mathis, who was making his season debut after missing the first seven games with a calf injury, recovered the ball at the Washington 7.
Trailing 17-10, the Eagles marched down the field on the opening drive of the third quarter and had a first and goal at the 1-yard line after Benjamin St-Juste was penalized for pass interference in the end zone. Predictably, Philadelphia called a quarterback sneak on the next play, but Jalen Hurts fumbled, and Washington cornerback Kendall Fuller recovered. Hurts, who was sacked twice, finished 29 of 38 for 319 yards and four touchdowns.
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A.J. Brown is unstoppable right now: Brown, who had nine catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ Week 4 win over Washington, set an NFL record with his sixth consecutive game of at least 125 yards receiving. Brown finished with eight catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns, including a dazzling one-handed grab in the end zone with St-Juste in tight coverage late in the first half.
Brown’s second touchdown came on a third-and-long in the third quarter, when he beat Commanders rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr. for a 25-yard score that tied the game at 17. Earlier in the drive, DeVonta Smith converted a fourth down with a catch that appeared to hit the ground, but Washington Coach Ron Rivera decided not to challenge. Smith added seven catches for 99 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown grab on which a busted coverage left him wide open.
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