December 22, 2024   7 MIN READ

Until We Meet Again

Commanders Upset Of Birds Sets Stage For Playoff Rematch

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LANDOVER, Md. – The atmosphere permeating throughout the parking lots across Northwest Stadium depicted a high-stakes game between two divisional opponents

The colors of the Washington Commanders were only slightly more prevalent than the various shades of green that typically infiltrate the enemy’s tailgate space.

But while the Commanders, winners of two consecutive games and building momentum, had much to play for, so did the Eagles, who failed to seize their opportunity to win the NFC East.

While the game often resembled a roller-coaster, Eagles talent wasn’t able to win out Sunday afternoon, as they fell to the Commanders, 36-33, and will return to Philadelphia to enjoy the holiday, reset, and lick their proverbial wounds.

The Commanders (10-5) returned serve on back-to-back Eagles field goals, with quarterback Jayden Daniels executing a 9-play, 57-yard march, punctuated by a 9-yard touchdown to Jamison Crowder for the game-winner.

The seesaw battle had seemingly reached a turning point when Eagles kicker Jake Elliott connected on a 50-yard field goal – his first 50-plus make of the season – to put the Eagles ahead by two.

On the ensuing drive, Eagles cornerback Darius Slay tipped a pass intended for Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, with the pass landing in the waiting hands of safety Reed Blankenship.

But the Eagles settled for another Elliott field goal after Devonta Smith’s wide open third-down drop at the Washington 14-year-line, only extending their lead to 33-28 instead of moving the chains, opening the door for the Commanders’ comeback.

Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels made pivotal plays late, including a 29-yard run in the waning moments of the quarter and four-yard touchdown strike to former Eagles wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus to bring the Commanders within six with just over 13 minutes remaining.

Daniels also added a 49-yard touchdown to Zaccheaus thanks to a blown coverage that let the veteran receiver pull away from cornerback Kelee Ringo. Zaccheaus also eluded safety Reed Blankenship, who took a poorly angle on the tackle.

The Eagles need one win in their final two games, or a Washington loss, to clinch the NFC East. More importantly, a Lions win Sunday over the Bears almost guarantees the Eagles will be the No. 2 seed in the playoffs – and likely welcoming the Commanders back to the Linc for a Wild Card matchup and third meeting this season between the rivals.

Jayden Daniels Eagles getty

GETTY IMAGES: Despite Washington’s five turnovers, Jayden Daniels’ five TD passes sunk the Eagles.

Let’s get to the observations.

* Eagles inactives: QB Tanner McKee (3rd QB), WR Britain Covey, CB Eli Ricks, OL Nick Gates, OL Darian Kinnard, and OL Trevor Keegan. S Sydney Brown became just the second Eagles player this season to clear concussion protocol within the week, joining LB Ben VanSumeren. No WR/PR Britain Covey (neck) for the third consecutive game, which meant that rookie Cooper DeJean was back returning punts. 

* P Braden Mann’s opening kickoff was short of the landing zone, giving the Commanders the ball at the 40-yard line. Good pressure from edge rusher Nolan Smith on the first play forced a hasty incompletion on a pass to former Eagles WR Olamide Zaccheaus and CB Darius Slay provided blanket coverage, logging a pass breakup on a pass over the middle to WR Jamison Crowder.

Faced with a 4th-and-1 play following a short dump off to RB Brian Robinson, EDGE Josh Sweat comes up with the stop for no gain, returning possession to the offense. Great hold for the Eagles’ defense despite beginning with series with suboptimal field position.

* Complementary football once again for the Eagles, as the Commanders WR Luke McCaffrey returned a first quarter kickoff 47 yards – looked like LB Oren Burks and CB Kelee Ringo lost outside contain – and on the ensuing play, RB Brian Robinson fumbled the ball on a carry on which he failed to gain yardage. DT Jalen Carter forced the fumble and EDGE Nolan Smith recovered, setting the offense up at the Eagles’ 43.

* Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, on the second offensive series, sustained a hit on the heels of a 13-yard run that prompted officials to send him to the sideline. In relief of Hurts, Kenny Pickett completed his first three passes for 20 yards. Pickett on his third completion tossed his first touchdown as an Eagle, a 4-yard dart to WR A.J. Brown to extend the lead to 14-0. On the following series, with Hurts being evaluated for a concussion, Pickett forced a pass to Brown amid a sea of Burgundy and Gold, which was intercepted by LB Frankie Luvu at the Eagles’ 25.

The Commanders capitalized in five plays, with rookie QB Jayden Daniels finding veteran WR Jamison Crowder – who got behind S C.J. Gardner-Johnson – for a 6-yard touchdown to cut the Eagles lead in half.

* Early in the second quarter, it was announced that both Hurts and RB Will Shipley were ruled out with concussions. Shipley’s play came on Kenny Gainwell’s 26-yard first quarter kickoff return. Shipley, the lead blocker, was blown up on the play and slowly walked to the sideline before taking his helmet off and taking a knee.

* Following his 45-yard bomb in the second quarter, WR A.J. Brown officially eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving barrier for the third consecutive season. A pillar of consistency, Brown, in just three seasons, is not only the best player on the Eagles, but also the best at his position in team history.

* When LB Nakobe Dean left the field with an injury, he was replaced by the veteran Burks, who has played in more than 100 career games, and made an instinctual play against the run to knife through and corral RB Chris Rodriguez for only a two-yard pickup. Dean returned the following series, but it should be considered a luxury to have someone like Burks available off the bench.

* Not exactly a banner day for the Eagles’ special teams unit, with Mann failing to reach the landing zone on the opening kickoff, a 47-yard kickoff return allowed, and an unnecessary roughness penalty called on rookie LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. And while the unit gained Sydney Brown, it lost Shipley – a core third phase contributor and personal protector on punt – early in this one.

* The matchup between Brown and Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore was always going to be chippy, but the opening drive coming out of the break perhaps best encapsulated the battle, as Lattimore was flagged twice – one play apart – for defensive pass interference on two passes thrown his way down the right sideline. In total, Lattimore was tagged with three defensive pass interference penalties merely drives apart – all working against Brown in coverage. For a quarterback with limited reps with the starting unit, Pickett was smart to take advantage of a vulnerability to generate yardage.

* For as impactful as S C.J. Gardner-Johnson can be – the veteran produced an interception in the second quarter and has delivered some punishing licks – he picked up two unsportsmanlike penalties and was disqualified from the game in the third. That simply can’t happen. Gardner-Johnson, as a defensive leader, needs to have more self-control in the moment. Tristin McCollum replaced Gardner-Johnson in the lineup.

* Shoddy tackling and undisciplined football were the direct result of the Commanders’ go-ahead score early into the final frame. Daniels uncorked a deep shot with 9:18 remaining to former Eagles WR Olamide Zaccheaus, who pulled away from CB Kelee Ringo and dodged a tackling attempt from S Reed Blankenship on his way into the end zone, completing the 49-yard play. The penalty on the play was on the Eagles, who were called for having too many men on the field. Zaccheaus reached the end zone twice against his former team.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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1 Comment

  • Spencer

    Great analysis as always here and on post-game live. However, I’m calling on Geoff to eat a little more crow. For all the hand wringing (not just by him) about the pass game the past 4 or so weeks—this is what ACTUAL MEDIOCRE pass play looks like. Every year, we hear people wondering aloud what guys like Tua would do in the Eagles offense (hint: he has an Eagles-level receiving corps and a creative playcaller this year; it has not gone well at all). Then we get a small sample of Minshew/Mariota/Pickett going in with all the weapons and all the o-line protection in the world and lay an egg every year. Hell, Kenny was so mediocre that the Commanders felt compelled to STACK THE BOX against Saquon—in the middle of one of the greatest rushing seasons of all time and after he put up 100 yards in one quarter.

    The level of pass game criticism was approaching levels not seen since the Carson implosion. But all the while, Jalen had a phenomenal TD:TO ratio, was making crucial TD PASSES in much maligned games (Panthers)—and oh yeah, was taking care of the most important QB stat of all—stacking 10 WINS in a row while keeping a cool head the whole time. You don’t have to look far across the league to see great receiving corps with losing records—Dolphins, Bengals, Jets. Let’s give the guy his flowers—yes, in the passing game.