The last time that Josh Johnson has faced the Eagles was in the 2023 NFC Championship Game after a torn UCL injury suffered by 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy at Lincoln Financial Field. The struggles that he had in relief of Purdy in that game surfaced again when he was called into action after to face the Eagles once again on Saturday when Nolan Smith ran over Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota and forced him out of the game with a hand injury.
Saturday’s late afternoon matchup in Landover, Maryland between the Eagles and the Commanders had a little something for everyone. Punishing, late game runs by Saquon Barkley reminiscent of last season’s dominance on the ground. Jake Elliott missing three first half field goal attempts (one that he got a second chance on due to a Commanders off-sides penalty.) A massive brawl after a two-point conversion by the Eagles late in the 4th quarter that was in and of itself a strange call. And Big Dom DiSandro at mid-field making certain that the Eagles players left the game without the contest turning into a five-round UFC Fight, and an uncharacteristic opening-game fumble.
And corgi races at halftime? Why not.
On Saturday evening — the Eagles became the first team to win the NFC East in Back-to-back seasons since they themselves did it twenty-one years ago. Philadelphia has now won the NFC East for the second time in the last three seasons.
The 180th meeting between the Commanders and the Eagles started with a fumble on the opening kickoff. Down 3–0 in the first quarter — Hurts found Devonta Smith for a six-yard touchdown pass. In the third quarter — the Eagles took the lead on a fifteen-yard strike to Dallas Goedert. In the 4th quarter — the Eagles and Saquon Barkley took over. After a twelve-yard touchdown run — he ripped off a 48-yard run capped by a 22-yard Tank Bisby scamper. Barkley then converted a two-point conversion.
After the two-point play was successful and Barkley was slammed to the ground — Darius Cooper and Commanders Defensive Back Will Harris got into a shoving match which then escalated. Washington had two players ejected (Javon Kinlaw and Quan Martin) as well as Steen in the 29–18 Eagles win.
Saquon Barkley eclipsed 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year as an Eagle finishing the game with 132 yards on 21 carries.
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