The Philadelphia Eagles won the NFC East championship for the second consecutive season! They pulled off this stunning turnaround with a huge 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday night. In short, quarterback Jalen Hurts was spectacular! He was an efficient 22 for 30 for 185 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. This victory highlights the Eagles’ dominance in the division and reinforces Hurts’ leadership as he has led the team to playoff appearances since becoming the full-time starter in 2021.
Philadelphia then pulled away in the second half with a 22-point effort to ensure their 83-77 victory. Saquon Barkley emerged as a key player for the Commanders, showcasing his skills with 132 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. He had a nice 12-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Pure will would take him most of the way, as he withstood the first hit and drove through tacklers.
Barkley shared his mindset heading into the game, stating, “My mindset this game was run like I’m 230, 235 [pounds].” His angry running style was best on display though with 84 yards rushing after contact. This sum represents his most prolific outing in a contest since 2019.
Jalen Hurts’ performance did not go unnoticed. He further proved why he’s a franchise player for the Eagles, establishing the entire tempo of the game and orchestrating them beautifully to victory. Coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged the significance of clinching the division title, saying, “In this division, we’ve seen the data that says it’s hard to repeat as winners, and we’re happy about that. We’ll celebrate it. We’ve got a lot to clean up. And then, we got a lot more goals on our mind.”
Teammate Jordan Mailata humorously reflected on an unusual pregame moment when fellow player Jordan Davis repeatedly yelled “20 years!” during warm-ups, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and excitement among the players. Davis’s excitement didn’t wane as he repeated his plea running up the tunnel after their upset win.
Even as the Eagles rejoice in their most recent accomplishment, their eyes are set on more long-term goals. With the Commanders game, their claim to being one of the biggest contenders to the 49ers’ throne in the NFC is now encased in granite.
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