Washington Commanders Notebook: 5 Takeaways From Loss vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Washington Commanders have lost five of their last six games.

For as bad as things have been for the Washington Commanders in their last six games, their 38-31 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at FedEx Field may have been the most deflating. 

Washington went toe-to-toe with the best team in the NFC, but eventually couldn't keep pace as, they were outscored 21-7 in the fourth quarter after pulling ahead 24-17 with 12:03 left in the game. 

While there were positive signs throughout the game, the Commanders fifth loss in six games may prompt franchise-altering decisions with the trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Here are five takeaways from the Commanders' loss to the Eagles. 

Sam Howell's career day goes south:

Through three quarters, Sam Howell and the offense was dealing against one of the better defenses in football. Howell's third touchdown of the game, a seven-yard pass to tight end Logan Thomas gave Washington a 24-17 lead with 12:03 left in the fourth quarter. 

Then the wheels fell off. 

After the Eagles tied the game 24-24, Howell threw an interception to Reed Blankenship three plays later. Philadelphia scored two plays later to get its first lead of the game. 

Howell responded by driving Washington down the field, but back-to-back errant passes from him on third and fourth down lead to a turnover at the Eagles' 40-yard line with 4:18 left in the game. 

With one final chance to tie the game, the Commanders couldn't even get a first down and Howell was strip-sacked on fourth down to effectively put the game on ice. 

On the day, Howell completed 39 of 52 passes for a career-high 397 yards and four touchdowns along with one interception. Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Jamison Crowder and Thomas each had one receiving touchdown.

He was also only sacked once, a far cry from the beating he had taken in the seven previous games when he was sacked at least four times. 

Howell looked the best he had ever looked through three quarters, but a disastrous three-drive stretch in the fourth quarter put a damper on what was a career-day for him. 

Sam Howell threw four touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles / Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Defense breaks late:

Against an offense like the Eagles, the defense can only do so much. 

Washington did its part through three quarters, which included forcing two turnovers inside its 10-yard line. But eventually, they broke down. The Eagles scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, 14 of which came from Howell's interception and a turnover on downs deep in Washington territory. 

No defense can sustain a great start when they're put in bad situations by the offense. The offense's inability to sustain a drive squandered what was otherwise a solid performance minus being able to cover the best receiver in football this season.

No answer for A.J. Brown:

You didn't need to be a rocket scientist to see where I was heading with the last point. 

It didn't matter who covered A.J. Brown, he was getting open. He finished the day with eight catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns, including a leaping one-handed grab. With his performance, he became the first receiver in NFL history to have six straight games with over 125 receiving yards. 

After today, Brown finished the two games against Washington this season with 17 catches for 305 yards and four touchdowns. Luckily for the Commanders, they won't have to see him again this season. 

Poor game management :

The Commanders were in full control through most of the first half, leading 14-3 with two minutes left and they had the ball at the Eagles' 35-yard line on fourth and one. Rather than kicking a field goal with Joey Slye, or running the ball again after Brian Robinson just ran for four yards two plays earlier, Howell dropped back to pass and threw an incomplete pass for a turnover on downs. 

Philadelphia responded by marching down the field and scoring a touchdown to make it 14-10 with 34 seconds left in the first half. A Commanders' record-long 61-yard field goal from Joey Slye made it 17-10 heading into halftime.

Then in the fourth quarter, an unnecessary timeout by Commanders head coach Ron Rivera was followed by Washington not being able to convert on fourth and eight from the Eagles' 40-yard line. Then Rivera wasted another timeout with just over two minutes left in the game by challenging an incomplete pass by Dotson, which was upheld. 

It's an uphill battle as it is against the Eagles. Rivera going for it on fourth down he shouldn't have and mismanaging timeouts in the fourth quarter put the final nail in the coffin for Washington's chances of winning, and possibly his tenure as the franchise's head coach.

Fire sale is needed:

Rumors of the Commanders potentially trading Chase Young or Montez Sweat should become a reality by the time the trade deadline passes. 

At 3-5, it's likely a third straight season that Washington won't make the playoffs. The worst thing the Commanders can do is stand pat. 

Washington should trade other impending free agents and give itself a chance to look at younger players for the rest of the season and see if they fit into the future. Changes shouldn't just stop there, as Rivera's future should at least be discussed in the upcoming weeks. 

With new ownership in tow, Josh Harris will want a clean slate to build the franchise in his image. The trade deadline would be a great chance for Harris to start to lay the foundation he wants and start making the changes that need to be made if Washington is going to one day become a playoff team on a yearly basis.