The Washington Commanders’ Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles is a massive game on many levels for the franchise. If Washington wins, it is 4-4 and in the middle of the NFC East wild-card race. However, if the Commanders lose, according to Adam Schefter, they will be sellers at Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
How would Washington respond?
Quarterback Sam Howell was excellent in the first half, completing 24 of 26 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Howell had one bad pass on a fourth-and-1 late in the second quarter that should have been intercepted.
Howell’s first touchdown pass was to Terry McLaurin to give the Commanders a 7-0 lead. The Eagles responded with a field goal. Washington marched back down the field as Howell found Jahan Dotson for a 21-yard score.
The Eagles fumbled inside the Washington 10-yard line, giving the Commanders a chance to extend their lead. Another terrific drive by Howell puts Washington into Philadelphia territory. Facing a fourth-and-1, head coach Ron Rivera chose to go for it instead of kicking the field goal. On the aforementioned fourth-down play, Howell’s only bad pass ends another promising drive.
The Eagles made Washington pay, as Jalen Hurts found A.J. Brown on a touchdown reception to make it 14-10. It was a phenomenal catch by Brown.
With 34 seconds remaining, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy kept his foot on the gas, and the Commanders drove into Eagles’ territory, giving them one last chance for points. Kicker Joey Slye drilled a 56-yard field, but the Commanders were called for a false start. No problem for Slye, who splits the uprights on a 61-yard attempt, giving Washington a 17-10 lead heading into halftime, just like the game from four weeks ago.
Philadelphia opens the second half with the football.