10 Key Takeaways From the NFC East-Clinching Victory Over the Commanders
The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East with a 29–18 win over the Washington Commanders, but the night was more complicated than the final score suggests. Philadelphia moved to 10–5, secured its eighth division title in nine seasons, and locked in a playoff spot, yet the game demanded real adjustments. The momentum shifted, mistakes surfaced, and star players had to step in at key moments. These 10 takeaways explain how the Eagles finished the job and what the win revealed beneath the surface.
Jalen Hurts Set the Tone
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Jalen Hurts delivered one of his cleaner passing games of the season. He finished 22-of-30 for 185 yards with two touchdown passes and a 111.1 passer rating. The numbers reflect efficiency, and the tape shows quick decisions from the shotgun against zone looks. He also added 40 rushing yards on seven carries, which kept drives alive when protection broke down.
Saquon Barkley Brought the Muscle
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Saquon Barkley crossed the 1,000-yard rushing mark, carrying the ball 21 times for 132 yards and a touchdown. His 12-yard scoring run featured broken tackles and forward momentum that pushed the game out of reach. The Eagles rushed for 207 yards as a team, which allowed the offense to stay patient even when drives stalled early.
The Tush Push Is No Longer Automatic
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Short-yardage situations were uncomfortable, especially at the goal line. Three tush push attempts from the 1-yard line gained zero yards and resulted in two false-start penalties. The Eagles entered the game converting 57% of third- or fourth-and-1 situations this season, which ranked 19th in the NFL. The trend continued Saturday and forced Philadelphia to rely on longer red-zone throws.
A Drive That Changed Everything
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The third-quarter touchdown drive flipped the night. It lasted 17 plays, covered 83 yards, and chewed up more than eight minutes of game clock. The possession included multiple penalties, a stopped sneak, a false start, and a wiped-out touchdown. It ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert, which tied a franchise tight end record with his 10th score of the season.
Defense Responded After a Rough Opening
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Washington opened the game with great field position after a kickoff fumble, starting at the Philadelphia 26-yard line. The defense held firm and allowed only a field goal, which mattered later. From that point on, the Commanders managed very little on the ground and finished with 90 rushing yards on 26 carries.
Jordan Davis Controlled the Middle
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Jordan Davis had six tackles, including four solo stops, while consistently occupying space inside. Washington attempted to attack the interior run defense, and it rarely worked. Davis also showed improved penetration by continuing a season-long trend that has expanded his role beyond early-down run defense.
Cooper DeJean Delivered the Dagger
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Late in the third quarter, Cooper DeJean intercepted Marcus Mariota near midfield and set up a short field. At the time, the Eagles led 14–10. One play later, Barkley powered in for a touchdown and made it 21–10. Washington never recovered after that sequence.
Wide Receiver Depth Still Feels Thin
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The passing game relied heavily on A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Hurts targeted those two on his first 17 throws, and they combined for 11 catches, 137 yards, and a touchdown. Goedert remains a reliable option, but Jahan Dotson entered the game with just 12 catches on the season, which highlights the lack of proven depth beyond the top names.
Special Teams Raised Concerns
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Mistakes piled up early. Will Shipley fumbled the opening kickoff and later hesitated on another return that resulted in poor field position. Jake Elliott missed two first-half field goals and is now 6-for-11 over his last five games. He has seven misses this season after never missing more than five in any of his first seven years.
Winning Without Looking Dominant
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Philadelphia has not overwhelmed opponents lately, but the results keep stacking up. The Eagles scored 22 unanswered points after halftime and allowed just two first downs in the second half before a late touchdown. At 10–5, they remain in the mix for the NFC’s second seed and head into a marquee road game next week with momentum, even if the process still feels uneven.