Eagles’ offense stifled again in 27-10 loss to Commanders; six-game losing streak is longest since 2012
The Birds jumped out to a 10-0 lead but could not sustain the momentum against one-win Washington and fell to last place in the NFC East.
LANDOVER, Md. — The Eagles’ nightmare of a season continues, and they’re not even halfway through it.
Their skid reached six games on Sunday with a 27-10 defeat at the hands of the Washington Commanders. They squandered an early 10-0 lead, conceding 27 unanswered points to the lowly Commanders in their third collapse in prime time this season.
Here’s our instant analysis from the Eagles’ latest loss:
A series of unfortunate events
In his third start in place of the injured Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee had his worst outing to date, although he wasn’t given much help by his protection.
McKee went 23 for 34 for 212 yards and an interception (72.2 quarterback rating) in the first road start of his career. He was sacked five times, including a costly strip sack late in the third quarter when the Eagles were seeking a comeback down, 13-10.
On third-and-4 from the Commanders’ 37-yard line, rookie right tackle Markel Bell was put on skates by outside linebacker Dorance Armstrong. As McKee was looking to his left, unaware that the pocket was collapsing, Armstrong swatted at the quarterback’s right arm and knocked the ball loose. Commanders defensive tackle Charles Omenihu corralled the loose ball at Washington’s 40.
“I feel like I’ve got to have a better time clock and, we’ll see, possibly better pocket presence as well,” McKee said. “Just either tucking earlier or sliding, whatever it is. I’ll see it on film and I’ll get it fixed.”
» READ MORE: Eagles’ Tanner McKee fails to move offense again, says unit’s issues are fixable
In a tough position, the Eagles defense managed to limit the Commanders to a field goal off the turnover, as Washington extended its lead to 16-10 late in the third quarter.
The Eagles had an opportunity to pull ahead on the ensuing drive. They managed to drive from their own 39-yard line all the way to the Commanders’ 13, as Elijah Mitchell was stopped for no gain on a third-and-4 dump down.
But the Eagles’ comeback attempt was foiled when Bell took a false start penalty, forcing the Eagles to settle for a field goal. Jake Elliott initially made the 36-yard field goal, but it was nullified by Jordan Mailata’s illegal formation penalty.
The Eagles took a 5-yard penalty and were forced to retry. But on the second attempt, this time from 41 yards, Elliott’s kick hit the upright.
“I’ve got to know better and do better, because, personally, I think that penalty kind of sucked the wind out of our momentum,” Mailata said of his penalty.
On a last-ditch fourth-and-25 late in the fourth quarter, McKee tossed a deep ball intended for Darius Cooper into quadruple coverage. Commanders cornerback and former Eagle Rasul Douglas intercepted his pass and returned it to the Eagles’ 37, helping set up a Rachaad White rushing touchdown that gave the Commanders a 27-10 lead after they converted the ensuing two-point try.
» READ MORE: Grading the Eagles' loss to the Washington Commanders
Up-and-down Eagles defense
One week after conceding a season-high 416 yards of offense to the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles defense fared slightly better against the Commanders, but it wasn’t enough.
The Commanders amassed 339 yards of offense, primarily via the arm of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who went 16-for-29 for 217 yards and a touchdown (90.7 quarterback rating).
The Eagles conceded two touchdowns. The first was an 8-yard snag from Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs late in the second quarter. Tight end Chig Okonkwo set a pick on safety Kenny Moore II, who lost a step on Diggs on his way to the end zone. Diggs’ touchdown tied the game, 10-10.
The Eagles bent, but didn’t break as they limited the Commanders to four field goals. But those points added up, as Commanders rookie kicker Drew Stevens contributed 12 points on field goals alone, more than the entire Eagles offense.
That offense didn’t do the defense any favors. McKee & Co. went three-and-out with less than 50 seconds remaining in the first half, squandering an opportunity to score and receive the ball after halftime. Instead, the Commanders started the ensuing drive at midfield, thanks to Luke McCaffrey’s 27-yard punt return. An explosive 20-yard pass to Diggs over the middle helped set up a Stevens field goal to put the Commanders up, 13-10, at halftime.
There were some Eagles defensive highlights, particularly in the trenches. Jalen Carter notched his first sack since his two-sack performance in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. On third-and-9 from the Commanders’ 30 in the third quarter, he had a free shot at Daniels up the middle, as Moro Ojomo freed Carter up on a stunt. His big play forced the Commanders to punt.
In his return from a concussion that sidelined him last week, Nolan Smith Jr. had a fourth-quarter sack of Daniels that forced the Commanders to settle for a field goal that gave them a 19-10 lead.
Zack Baun recovered a fumble forced by Andrew Mukuba against Okonkwo in the first quarter, marking the Eagles’ first fumble recovery of the season. The play preceded Saquon Barkley’s rushing touchdown.
» READ MORE: Sean Mannion is the biggest problem plaguing the Eagles offense. Fire him. | Hayes
Barkley on a pitch count
Like last week, Barkley was on a pitch count as he manages hamstring and back injuries.
He sought to provide a spark for the offense, despite his ailments. He succeeded in the first half as a receiver and as a rusher. On the Eagles’ third possession of the game, McKee connected with Barkley on a wheel route down the left sideline for 24 yards to the Commanders’ 2-yard line.
He was tackled for a loss on the ensuing handoff, but the Eagles went back to him. On second-and-goal from the Commanders’ 3, the Eagles utilized a package featuring seven offensive linemen, with Fred Johnson lined up to the right of Mailata. Willie Lampkin aligned as a fullback in the backfield.
In Wildcat formation, Drew Kendall snapped the ball directly to Barkley, who cut to his right and won a race to the pylon for the touchdown to put the Eagles up, 10-0.
But even though the Commanders were missing starting defensive tackles Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw because of injury, they still managed to make plays against the run. Late in the second quarter, after the Commanders had tied the game, 10-10, Barkley was swallowed up for a loss of four yards by Commanders defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. The play put the Eagles behind the sticks, a deficit they failed to overcome as they ultimately punted.
Mitchell, Barkley’s running mate, also got stuffed for a 3-yard loss on the opening drive of the third quarter on third-and-3 by Commanders safety Nick Cross, forcing the Eagles to punt.
Barkley finished with 30 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Mitchell led the team with 34 rushing yards on 11 attempts. In total, the Eagles rushed for just 91 yards and Barkley’s touchdown on 29 carries.
After the game, Barkley hesitated to answer questions about how he felt while playing through injury.
“It’s football,” Barkley said. “Everybody’s going through something. I’m not trying to make mine seem like it’s any more or less than anybody else. I’m just frustrated because my mind is there, but with the hammy and all that stuff, my body’s not really where I need [it] to be right now. But I’ve just got to keep grinding, rehabbing, and just continue to try to get stronger and get better.”
Injury report
Eagles defensive back Michael Carter II returned to action after missing the last two weeks with an abdominal injury. However, he exited the game in the third quarter with another abdominal injury and was deemed questionable to return.
When Jalen Carter is at his game-wrecking best, he’s as unstoppable a force as there is in the NFL. Such was the case during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run two years ago. But since then, between injuries and uneven play, the defensive tackle’s contributions have been inconsistent. On the heels of general manager Howie Roseman signing Carter to a historic contract, The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane looks at the costs of the extension — both in terms of dollars and cents, as well as roster construction. Plus, Jeff advances storylines for the Nov. 10th NFL trade deadline, and, in his weekly mailbag, addresses some reporting about the Eagles’ salary cap situation. Listen here.
Listen to all episodes here or wherever you get your podcasts.
