The Philadelphia Eagles suffered a stunning 36-33 defeat at the hands of the Washington Commanders on Sunday, a loss compounded by an early injury to starting quarterback Jalen Hurts and a myriad of mistakes throughout the game, The Associated Press reports.
The Eagles’ winning streak came to an abrupt end, potentially jeopardizing their chances for the top seed in the NFC playoffs and a coveted first-round bye.
Hurts exited the game in the first quarter after sustaining two separate blows to the head, first when his head slammed against the ground on a run and then after a hit to his helmet by Commanders’ linebacker Frankie Luvu. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni offered no update on Hurts’ condition following the game. Hurts’ status for next week’s crucial home game against the Dallas Cowboys is now uncertain.
In Hurts’ absence, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett entered the game, seeing his first meaningful action since December 2023. While Pickett completed 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards and one touchdown, he also threw an interception, leaving room for improvement. Pickett himself acknowledged plays he wished he could have back. He also underwent x-rays for a rib injury following the game.
Despite Pickett’s efforts, the Eagles’ offense struggled to maintain consistency. Running back Saquon Barkley had a dominant first quarter, rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns, but was largely contained after that, gaining only 41 yards the rest of the way. This was partly due to the Commanders’ defense crowding the line of scrimmage after Hurts’ exit, limiting the Eagles’ rushing attack.
The Philadelphia defense, typically a strength, was unable to contain Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who threw for five touchdowns and 339 total yards.
Penalties also plagued the Eagles, and a key dropped pass by wide receiver DeVonta Smith late in the game further sealed the Eagles’ fate. Smith acknowledged the team’s errors.
Injuries and ejections added to the Eagles’ woes. Edge rusher Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Jordan Davis were sidelined with injuries, while safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Gardner-Johnson took to social media to express his frustration with the ejection, while referee Shawn Smith stated the second flag was for taunting an opponent.
Despite the loss, teammates rallied around Pickett.
The Eagles will need to regroup quickly as they host the Dallas Cowboys next week. They still need one more victory to clinch the NFC East title and secure a top-two playoff seed. They close out the regular season against the New York Giants.
