Eagles vs. Commanders: 3 Wildcards, 4 Flops, 14 Stars

Indeed, the Philadelphia Eagles have moved to 8-2 after defeating the Washington Commanders Thursday night. It was their sixth straight win, and made them one of the top teams in the NFL.

What makes this win remarkable is how the Eagles turned the game around. Despite trailing 10-6 going into the fourth quarter, they exploded offensively to secure a 26-10 victory.

This win wasn’t just another notch on the belt; it’s a critical step in their pursuit of the NFC East title and possibly the No. 1 seed in the conference. Let’s break down the key contributors (and disappointments) in this game with our list of winners, losers, and wildcards.

Winners

1. Vic Fangio’s Defense: The Backbone of Success
   Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is proving to be the Eagles’ modern-day Jim Johnson.
   However, the Eagles have been nearly impenetrable on defense over their last six games, allowing just six offensive touchdowns.

2. Saquon Barkley: The Offensive Engine
   Again, Saquon Barkley was the man on display as he slashed for 26 times, 146 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two catches for 52 yards through the air. He’s been the Eagles’ centerpiece with 134.7 yards per game, well ahead of anybody else in the league.
3. The Offensive Line: Dominating the Trenches
   I give credit to the Eagles’ offensive line for their incredible blocking in an incredible rushing attack. They averaged 5.7 yards a pop on the ground, running the ball 40 times for 228 yards. Cam Jurgens was the unique mention, he bullied defenders and did a great job of setting the tone for the run game.
4. Quinyon Mitchell: Lockdown Corner
   Terry McLaurin boasted the Commanders’ top receiver, but Quinyon Mitchell shut him down, holding him to one catch for 10 yards. His stellar performance strengthens his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year, even though he hasn’t received enough recognition nationally.
5. Zack Baun: Defensive Star
   Baun was everywhere on the field, leading the Eagles with 15 total tackles and making critical plays, including a fourth-quarter stop that shifted momentum. His consistent All-Pro level performance is turning heads, and he’s become a cornerstone of this defense.

This week they came up against a ranked third in points per game and fourth in yards per game Commanders offense. Fangio’s unit stonewalled the Commanders, making few scoring attempts. This could be a good year for the Eagles defense ranking among the best in the NFL.

Losers

1. Terry McLaurin: A Non-Factor
   The Commanders’ top wideout was completely neutralized, recording just one reception for 10 yards. Quinyon Mitchell made sure McLaurin couldn’t impact the game.
2. Jake Elliott: A Day to Forget
   The usually reliable kicker had a nightmare performance, missing two field goals (from 44 and 51 yards) and an extra point. Elliott’s struggles are becoming a concern as he’s now missed five field goals this season, matching his total from the previous two seasons combined.
3. Jayden Daniels: A Rookie Reality Check
   The Commanders’ rookie quarterback had a rough outing, missing key throws and struggling against the Eagles’ relentless defense. Daniels has promise, which was not living up to it with his play, and it was a step backwards that questions his readiness.
4. The Refs: Questionable Calls
   Fans were scratching their heads at some of the officiating decisions, namely a face mask penalty on DeVonta Smith that was then waived off. They could have had a huge impact on the game.

Wildcards (IDKs)

1. Jalen Hurts: Slow Start, Strong Finish
   Hurts started the game off sluggish, and it didn’t take long to demonstrate why, holding the ball too long and throwing over a multitude of receivers. But he struggled in the first half, and turned over the ball, helping the Bucks lose. Admire his ability to rally, but it would be nice if he got off to a better start.
2. Nick Sirianni: Questionable Decisions, but still Winning
   Sirianni keeps winning, and eyebrows are being raised over how he makes certain decisions. His choices have always been non confident — from conservative play calling on 3rd-and-22 to not taking 2 point conversions.
3. Dallas Goedert: Five catches for 61 yards were good, but a fumble nearly cost Goedert the Eagles. Luckily, backup tight end Grant Calcaterra recovered it and did not allow a potential disaster.

Conclusion

This win proves the Eagles have the resilience and can close out games. Both Barkley and Mitchell starred to give the team a strong finish to the season. However, those areas are weakest — specifically, kicking and decision making — and must improve if they are to keep winning.

But the Eagles must stay on the road to get what they are aiming for.