For a while on Thursday, the Washington Commanders looked like they were headed for a statement win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. However, a struggling offense couldn’t take advantage of multiple Philly mistakes, and the Eagles stormed back in the fourth quarter for a relatively comfortable 26-18 win.
Washington’s defense ran out of gas in the second half. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had 56 rushing yards in the first half, but that was on 15 carries. He earned every yard. Things were much different in the second half, as Barkley had no trouble knifing through the Commanders’ defense.
After leading the NFC East for most of the season, Washington is now a game and a half behind the Eagles, who look poised to win the division. The Commanders now receive a few extra days of much-needed rest before returning home to host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12.
Here are five takeaways from Washington’s loss to Philadelphia.