The Philadelphia Eagles, despite having a solid lineup of backups, came up short against their arch-rivals, the Washington Commanders. The game was more about the players who didn't play than those who did.
For starters (pun intended), the Eagles' key offensive players were absent from action, with Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, Dallas Goedert, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, and Cam Jurgens not taking to the field. Although Lane Johnson is expected to be back in the lineup for next week's game, his absence will likely have a significant impact on the team's overall performance.
The defensive side of the ball also saw several key players sit out, with Nakobe Dean missing time due to an injury and Jalen Carter not participating in the game. However, with Dean set to return from his injury, the Eagles are looking healthier than many other teams heading into the playoffs.
While some players fared better than others, none of them shone as brightly as DeVonta Smith. The veteran wide receiver went over 1,000 yards for the season and caught three passes for 52 yards in the first quarter alone, leaving his teammate A.J. Brown trailing behind in receiving yards. However, despite this impressive performance, the Eagles' offense was unable to build on it, with McKee's poor performance overshadowing Smith's strong start.
In contrast, rookie Jalyx Hunt had a standout game, recovering a fumble and recording six tackles for the first time this season. His impressive display could make him a re-signing priority in the offseason.
For those who have been clamoring to see Tank Bigsby in real games, his performance did not disappoint. The young running back consistently finds yards after contact and creates space despite being blocked up by opponents.
On the other side of the ball, the Eagles' backup cornerbacks were at fault for a number of pass interference calls and failed to contain Josh Johnson's scrambling abilities. Their lackluster performance left much to be desired.
However, it was Darius Cooper who truly stood out as an example of poor decision-making on the field. The running back's taunting penalty sparked a critical turn in momentum that ultimately sealed his team's fate.
The Lions' last-minute win over the Bears ensured that the Eagles would take the 2-seed spot without their victory, leaving them to face the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. The two teams met in the NFC Championship Game last season and will likely relive some old rivalry when they meet again this year.
In conclusion, while the Eagles may have struggled against the Commanders, there were still some notable performances on display from their players. With a healthier lineup heading into the playoffs, it's possible that we'll see a more competitive team down the stretch.
For starters (pun intended), the Eagles' key offensive players were absent from action, with Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, Dallas Goedert, Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, and Cam Jurgens not taking to the field. Although Lane Johnson is expected to be back in the lineup for next week's game, his absence will likely have a significant impact on the team's overall performance.
The defensive side of the ball also saw several key players sit out, with Nakobe Dean missing time due to an injury and Jalen Carter not participating in the game. However, with Dean set to return from his injury, the Eagles are looking healthier than many other teams heading into the playoffs.
While some players fared better than others, none of them shone as brightly as DeVonta Smith. The veteran wide receiver went over 1,000 yards for the season and caught three passes for 52 yards in the first quarter alone, leaving his teammate A.J. Brown trailing behind in receiving yards. However, despite this impressive performance, the Eagles' offense was unable to build on it, with McKee's poor performance overshadowing Smith's strong start.
In contrast, rookie Jalyx Hunt had a standout game, recovering a fumble and recording six tackles for the first time this season. His impressive display could make him a re-signing priority in the offseason.
For those who have been clamoring to see Tank Bigsby in real games, his performance did not disappoint. The young running back consistently finds yards after contact and creates space despite being blocked up by opponents.
On the other side of the ball, the Eagles' backup cornerbacks were at fault for a number of pass interference calls and failed to contain Josh Johnson's scrambling abilities. Their lackluster performance left much to be desired.
However, it was Darius Cooper who truly stood out as an example of poor decision-making on the field. The running back's taunting penalty sparked a critical turn in momentum that ultimately sealed his team's fate.
The Lions' last-minute win over the Bears ensured that the Eagles would take the 2-seed spot without their victory, leaving them to face the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. The two teams met in the NFC Championship Game last season and will likely relive some old rivalry when they meet again this year.
In conclusion, while the Eagles may have struggled against the Commanders, there were still some notable performances on display from their players. With a healthier lineup heading into the playoffs, it's possible that we'll see a more competitive team down the stretch.