Saquon Barkley scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Philadelphia Eagles extended their lead atop the NFC East with a 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders.
Barkley starred with 146 rushing yards, while quarterback Jalen Hurts returned after being evaluated for a concussion to claim the go-ahead score to give the Eagles (8-2) their sixth straight win.
Hurts’ head was slammed into the turf by linebacker Frankie Luvu in the second quarter, and the $255 million quarterback’s head bounced to the ground. Hurts rolls over, face down, and grabs his helmet. He was checked out in the sideline medical camp but stayed in the game, finishing with 221 yards.
With the Eagles leading 12-10 in the fourth quarter, the Commanders were in range for the go-ahead field goal and coach Dan Quinn elected to go for it on fourth down. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels scrambled and stopped for no gain, and less than three minutes later, Barkley scored on a 23-yard run.
Jake Elliott made the extra point after missing an earlier attempt — along with two of his four field goal attempts — to give the Eagles a two-score lead.
Daniels, who completed 22 of 32 for 191 yards and the last touchdown pass, was intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship in Washington’s next play, before Barkley finished off the Commanders (7-4) with a 39-yard touchdown run.
With 1,137 rushing yards through 10 games, Barkley moved ahead of Baltimore’s Derrick Henry for the NFL lead. Both veteran walk-ons were signed as free agents in the offseason.
Washington entered with a chance to take first place in the division but left with its second loss.
Elliott, who missed field goals of 44 and 51 yards, left corner on the extra point after Hurts’ 1-yard tush-push touchdown in the fourth quarter. He made field goals of 21 and 31 yards.
Elliott holds the franchise record with seven field goals of 50 yards or more in a season, but has missed all four of his 50-plus attempts in 2024.
Statistical leader
Commander Washington
- graduate: Jayden Daniels, 22/32, 191 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- rushing: Brian Robinson, 16 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
- receive: Austin Ekeler, 8 catches, 89 yards
Philadelphia Eagles
- graduate: Jalen Hurts, 18/28, 221 yards
- rushing: Saquon Barkley, 26 carries, 146 yards, 2 TDs
- receive: AJ Brown, 5 catches, 65 yards
The matchup was billed as the biggest game in this NFC East rivalry in nearly 30 years, but the first 30 minutes had all the excitement of a preseason game.
Perhaps affected by the big hit used, Hurts has been ineffective in the first round. He underthrew the receiver – notably a pair of times for DeVonta Smith – and hung his head when trying to pass without an open receiver sailed out of bounds.
Brian Robinson Jr. ripped off an 18-yard run to the 1-yard line and punched in a touchdown on the next play for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Zane Gonzalez kicked a 45-yard field goal in the third quarter for a 10-3 lead.
But Gonzalez, promoted from the practice squad with Austin Seibert dealing with a hip injury, didn’t get another chance in the bottom of the fourth. The Commander stopped at second and third and 1, and Daniels, the draft pick No. 2 overall, filled in the Philadelphia 26.
The Eagles took the pass and Hurts immediately connected with Dallas Goedert for a 31-yard gain. Goedert fumbled but the ball was scooped up by fellow tight end Grant Calcaterra. Barkley scored three plays later.
Zach Ertz, who played for the Eagles from 2013-21, had a touchdown catch in the final minute and then dropped two feet in the back of the end zone for a 2-point conversion that got the Chiefs within eight. Washington attempts an onside kick but Philadelphia recovers.
Score summary
Who said what?
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni: “You can’t be great without other people’s greatness. Saquon was great tonight but the offensive line was great.”
Head coach Dan Quinn: “Bold call (to go in fourth down). I’ll also say we’re ready for that moment. We don’t like execution. We’ve got to take a shot against a tough division team on the road.
What’s next?
The Chiefs will look to get their playoff hopes back on track as they play four of their next five games at home, starting with a visit to the Dallas Cowboys next Friday in another divisional clash.
The Eagles will be in prime time again when they visit the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday evening, early Monday in England.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, the NOW streaming service and the Sky Sports app – giving Sky Sports subscribers access to more than 50 per cent of live sport this year at no extra cost.
