When they last met: Washington and Philadelphia

These old rivals last met in Week 3.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Philadelphia 24, Washington 08 – Week 3, September 25, 2022

Jalen Hurts threw three second-quarter touchdowns as the Eagles raced by the Commanders 24-8 at FedEx Field in Landover.

The game was nowhere as close as the 16-point final margin suggests. In fact, the Eagles defensive pressure manhandled the Commanders offensive line as Carson Wentz was sacked nine times and the Eagles accumulated 17 QB hits on Wentz as well.

Though the Commanders defense forced two Eagle punts to begin the game, the Eagles then scored on four of their next five possessions. The Eagles on those five possessions drove 64 yards (field goal), 24 yards (touchdown), 86 yards (downs), 64 yards (touchdown) and 88 yards (touchdown).

The Commanders found themselves down 24-0 as the teams headed to the locker room. Washington’s first-half offense did little to nothing to help out their fatigued defense. On their seven first-half possessions, the Commanders accumulated 13 yards (punt), -10 yards (punt), 23 yards (punt), -1yard  (fumble), 15 yards (punt), 4 yards (punt) and 3 yards (punt).

The sad reality is the Commanders did not score any offensive points until they drove 87 yards in 12 plays on their very last offensive possession. Antonio Gibson scored from one yard out with 1:55 remaining in the game.

The offensive line was so outmatched that the Eagles’ Brandon Graham was the NFC’s defensive player of the week because he produced 2.5 sacks, 6 solo tackles, 5 QB hits, 2 tackles for a loss. If that wasn’t enough, Graham also forced a fumble, and defended one pass.

Hurts completed 22 of 35 for 340 yards, 3 TDs and no interceptions, for a 123.5 passer rating. Wentz on the other hand was 25 of 43 for 211 yards no touchdowns or interceptions for a 71.0 passer rating.

The Commanders defense yielded too many explosive plays as DeVonta Smith collected 169 receiving yards, AJ Brown 85 yards, Even Grant Calcaterra’s lone reception was good for 40 yards.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=none image=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]