[ad_1]
With uncharacteristic sloppiness, the Philadelphia Eagles’ bid for an undefeated season is over.
The Washington Commanders turned methodical drives into scores and took benefit of turnover-prone Philadelphia, gorgeous the Eagles 32-21 on Monday night time and sending them to their first loss in 9 video games this season.
Behind Jalen Hurts, the Eagles had been 8-0 for the primary time in franchise historical past and the final crew within the NFL that would make a run at Miami’s 17-0 mark in 1972 and the lone excellent season. The 2007 New England Patriots got here shut, going 18-0 earlier than a Tremendous Bowl loss.
“We began 8-0 collectively, we misplaced this sport collectively, we’re going to maneuver on collectively,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni mentioned.
The Eagles had their shot at perfection slip out of their fingers.
Trailing at halftime for the primary time this season, Hurts appeared to have another huge play left to tug out a victory. He related on a deep ball to huge receiver Quez Watkins on a 51-yard reception late within the fourth quarter trailing 26-21. Watkins hit the bottom, popped up and took off operating, solely to fumble the ball and provides Washington possession.
That was it for the Eagles and their 4 turnovers, a bloated quantity for a crew that had solely three within the first eight video games.
“Flush it and transfer on,” Eagles defensive finish Brandon Graham mentioned.
Graham was flagged for a late pointless roughness name on QB Taylor Heinicke that prolonged Washington’s drive.
“I used to be simply making an attempt to the touch him down, as a result of it simply regarded like he was going to stand up. You simply by no means know. However that’s on me. I personal that one. That’s on me,” he mentioned
He wasn’t alone in making miscues that value the Birds.
AJ Brown had a catch knock off his fingers and switch into an interception. And, Dallas Goedert fumbled within the fourth quarter when linebacker Jamin Davis grabbed the tight finish by the facemask – however no penalty was known as.
Heinicke once more began for injured QB Carson Wentz, the much-maligned former Eagles QB who did play a key function in serving to them win a Tremendous Bowl within the 2017 season. He wasn’t flashy, however environment friendly, going 17 for 29 and throwing 229 yards. Terry McLaurin had 128 yards receiving – together with a 41-yard haul that led to a subject aim. Joey Slye kicked 4 subject objectives.
The Commanders (5-5) additionally spoiled Pittsburgh’s 11-0 begin in 2020.
Hurts was 17 for 26 for simply 175 yards.
The Eagles had been favored by 10 and a half factors and the Commanders reveled in pulling off the upset.
“We had a fabulous time ruining all the things,” the Commanders tweeted.
The Eagles tried to make the Commanders appear to be simply one other bump of their bid for perfection, with the type of early success that they’ve loved this season.
Take, for instance, a roughing-the-kicker penalty that gave Washington a primary down, and new life, on the sport’s opening drive. Eagles defensive finish Josh Sweat merely strip-sacked Heinicke on the subsequent play and the Eagles recovered. Hurts rushed up the center for a one-yard TD and a 7-0 lead.
The Commanders then flashed their first clock-killing drive with a 16-play effort that chewed up greater than seven minutes and ended with Antonio Gibson’s one-yard dashing TD.
Hurts hit the highlight-reel with an ode to former Florida star Tim Tebow with a bounce go to Goedert for a six-yard rating, and the QB struck the Heisman pose in celebration.
The factors off takeaways and Hurts scoring together with his legs and arms had been the important thing components within the crew’s flawless begin, and the Eagles definitely appeared poised to make it a straightforward night time towards a crew they routed 24-8 in September.
The Commanders confirmed a uncommon offensive spark of late and, after scoring 17 factors in every of their final two video games, took a 20-14 lead into halftime. Syle kicked subject objectives of 44 and 58 yards and Brian Robinson added a one-yard dashing rating.
Washington transformed 9 of 12 third downs within the half – it entered twenty sixth within the NFL in third-down effectivity — and crushed the Eagles in time of possession 23:49 to six:11 – the 17:38 TOP disparity was their greatest in a primary half in franchise historical past.
Slye kicked 32 and 55 yard subject objectives within the second half.
The Eagles trailed at halftime for the primary time since final season’s postseason loss at Tampa Bay, and Hurts couldn’t rally them of their first true case of adversity.
Hurts, who didn’t assist his MVP bid, related with wideout DeVonta Smith for an 11-yard rating early within the fourth that pulled the Eagles inside 23-21.
[ad_2]
Source link
