Saquon Barkley rushed for 146 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, Jalen Hurts ran for the go-ahead rating after being evaluated for a concussion, and the Philadelphia Eagles stretched their lead within the NFC East with a 26-18 win Thursday evening over Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders.
The Eagles (8-2) gained their sixth straight since their bye, though this one got here with a severe scare.
Hurts’ head was spiked into the turf by linebacker Frankie Luvu within the second quarter, and the $255m quarterback’s head bounced off the bottom. Hurts rolled over, face down, and grabbed his helmet. He was examined within the sideline medical tent however stayed within the recreation, ending with 221 yards passing.
With the Eagles main 12-10 within the fourth quarter, Washington have been in vary for a go-ahead subject purpose and coach Dan Quinn elected to go for it on fourth down. Daniels scrambled and was stopped for no acquire, and fewer than three minutes later, Barkley scored on a 23-yard run.
Jake Elliott made the additional level after lacking his earlier strive – together with two of his 4 subject purpose makes an attempt – to provide the Eagles a two-score lead.
Daniels, who completed 22 of 32 for 191 yards and a late landing go, was intercepted by security Reed Blankenship on Washington’s subsequent play. A dozen seconds later, Barkley completed off the Commanders (7-4) with a 39-yard landing run.
With 1,137 dashing yards by way of 10 video games, Barkley moved forward of Baltimore’s Derrick Henry for the NFL lead. Each veteran operating backs have been signed as free brokers within the offseason.
Washington entered with an opportunity to take over first place within the division however left with its second straight loss.
Elliott, who missed subject targets of 44 and 51 yards, was extensive left on the additional level after Hurts’ one-yard tush-push landing within the fourth quarter. He made subject targets of 21 and 31 yards.
Elliott holds the franchise document with seven subject targets of fifty yards or extra in a season however has missed all 4 makes an attempt from 50-plus in 2024.
The matchup was hyped as the most important recreation on this NFC East rivalry in almost 30 years, however the first half-hour had all the thrill of a preseason recreation.
Maybe affected by the massive hit he absorbed, Hurts had an ineffective first half. He underthrew receivers – notably a pair of instances to DeVonta Smith – and hung his head when a go try with no close by open receiver sailed out of bounds.
Brian Robinson Jr ripped off an 18-yard run to the 1-yard line and punched in a landing on the following play for a 7-0 lead within the first quarter. Zane Gonzalez kicked a 45-yard subject purpose within the third quarter for a 10-3 lead.
However Gonzalez, promoted off the follow squad with Austin Seibert coping with a hip harm, didn’t get one other alternative late within the fourth. The Commanders have been stopped on second- and third-and-1, and Daniels, the No 2 total draft decide, was stuffed on Philadelphia’s 26.
The Eagles took over and Hurts immediately linked with Dallas Goedert for a 31-yard acquire. Goedert fumbled however the ball was scooped up by fellow tight finish Grant Calcaterra.
Barkley scored three performs later.
Zach Ertz, who performed for the Eagles from 2013 by way of 2021, had a landing catch within the closing minute after which bought each ft down at the back of the top zone for a two-point conversion that bought the Commanders inside eight. Washington tried an onside kick however Philadelphia recovered.
