Eagles defeat Commanders in decisive division game with 4th quarter surge

The Eagles scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Commanders and add some distance to their lead in the NFC East.

The Commanders trailed 12-10 when they were stopped on second-and-third-and-1. Buoyed by an early-season hot streak, coach Dan Quinn called his rookie quarterback’s number on fourth-and-2 from the Eagles 26.

Jayden Daniels juggled the snap, scrambled to the right and was hammered out of bounds by linebacker Zack Baun.

The Eagles took over on downs. The decisive victory for the Commanders under Quinn and Daniels will have to wait.

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Shortly after that fumble, Saquon Barkley rushed for the first of his two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to give division-leading Philadelphia a two-score lead and the Eagles (8-2) sent the Commanders (7-4) to their second straight loss, 26-18 Thursday night.

“Great call,” Quinn said. “I’d also say we were prepared for that moment. Didn’t love the execution. But we’ve been an outstanding fourth-place team. Going into it, we knew we had to take our shot against a tough division team at We didn’t like the execution or the result, but we were prepared for it.

Plan B was the field goal.

Zane Gonzalez, promoted from the practice squad with Austin Seibert out with a hip injury, made a 45-yarder in the third quarter for a 10-3 lead. Quinn decided not to give him another shot from about 44 yards for a 13-12 lead.

“To be the heavy hitters that we want to be, you have to be able to close,” Quinn said. “How do you learn the lesson of closure? This is what we’re going to be. You knew this adversity was coming. It just does.”

Daniels finished 22 of 32 for 191 yards and a late touchdown pass. He was intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship late in the fourth, setting up Barkley’s second TD.

Regarding the decisive fourth-down call, Daniels said, “I’m always part of, hey let’s go for it.”

It was a frustrating night for Daniels and the top receiver Terry McLaurinwho surpassed 100 yards receiving in last Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh for the fourth time in the past eight games, accumulating 113 on five catches.

McLaurin had just one catch for 10 yards against the Eagles and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

“It happens,” McLaurin said. “I can only control what I can.”

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Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship celebrates with teammates after his interception in the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images (Bill Streicher-Imagn Photos)

Quinn said he would give the commanders a few extra days off ahead of the stretch. The Commanders play four of their next five games at home, starting Nov. 24 against Dallas.

They need a breather.

While the Eagles had the earliest bye in the NFL in Week 5, the Commanders have the latest in Week 14, and the injuries are piling up after a relatively healthy start to the season.

“I feel like we’re going to respond great,” Daniels said. “We’ll rest up and get back to it.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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