Tag: NFC East matchup

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.

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When they last met: Washington and Philadelphia

The last meeting between these two teams is remembered more for what happened after the game.

“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 20, Washington 16 – Week 17, January 02, 2022

Leading by halftime by 9 points, the Washington Football Team could not score in the second half, falling to the Philadelphia Eagles 20-16 at Fed Ex Field in Landover.

Washington moved the ball quite well in the first half with drives of 67, 63, 54 and 57 yards resulting in a 11-yard touchdown by Jaret Patterson and three Joey Slye field goals for a Washington 16-7 halftime lead.

However, four second-half offensive possessions resulted in Washington moving the ball -5, 9, 30 and 55 yards. The final WFT drive began on the Washington 25 with the Eagles having taken a 20-16 lead with 2:21 remaining in the game.

Taylor Heinicke completed five consecutive passes moving the ball to the Philadelphia 35. On second down, Heinicke connected with Patterson to the Eagles’ 30. Then Heinicke again found Patterson for 10 yards to the Eagles’ 20 with 30 seconds remaining.

However, on first down, Heinicke attempted to connect with John Bates in the end zone but was intercepted by Rodney McLeod, sealing the come-from-behind win for the Eagles. Washington had built first-half leads of 10-0 and 16-7, yet the Eagles responded, outscoring Washington 13-0 in the second half.

Immediately following the game, as both teams were leaving the field, a security railing being leaned on by several Eagles’ fans collapsed, leaving the fans on the ground and Jalen Hurts whom the Eagles fans were attempting to reach.