Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders: Live Updates, Highlights: Philly Prevails Late
When the Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 4, one of the better games of the 2023 season transpired. The two NFC East rivals will meet for a second time in Week 8, with the Commanders looking to avenge a 34-31 overtime loss in the first matchup.
Philadelphia enters this road matchup at 6-1, in control of both the top spot in the NFC East and NFC as a whole. Back in Week 4, receiver A.J. Brown had his best performance in a season that increasingly feels destined for a First-Team All-Pro selection, as he caught nine passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. As you can imagine, quarterback Jalen Hurts had a nice afternoon that day as well, completing 25 of 37 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles will face off with the Washington Commanders in Week 8.
USA Today
While the Commanders fell short of upsetting the Eagles the last time they met, quarterback Sam Howell played well, completing 29 of 41 passes for a touchdown and 40 rushing yards. He was still sacked five times, which has been a common theme for a quarterback taken down a league-leading 40 times this season. But forcing the defending NFC Champions to overtime felt like a moral victory, if such a thing exists in the NFL.
But at 3-4, the Commanders need an actual win this time around if they want to remain in the playoff picture and keep coach Ron Rivera employed. The Eagles are seven-point road favorites, so Washington has their work cut out trying to hang with a more talented Philadelphia team for the second time this season.
You can follow along throughout this afternoon's tilt for the latest live updates and highlights of this matchup between the Eagles and Commanders.
First Quarter
Defensive Drive 1
An eight-play, 27-yard drive for Washington took 5:21 off the clock, but ultimately ended with Washington's Tress Way punting the ball 40 yards, with Eagles returner Britain Covey calling for a fair catch at the eight-yard line.
Offensive Drive 1
Despite a three-yard rush from D'Andre Swift and a four-yard reception from Boston Scott, the Eagles went three-and-out on their first drive after Hurts was unable to connect with Dallas Goedert on third-and-three. Braden Mann punted the ball away 58 yards on fourth-and-three, with Washington's Jamison Crowder returning it 11 yards to their own 38-yard line.
Defensive Drive 2
Washington followed up a 29-yard rush by Brian Robinson Jr. by taking a shot to the end zone, where Sam Howell connected with Terry McLaurin for a 26-yard touchdown.
Offensive Drive 2
An 11-play, 42-yard drive for the Eagles stalled out just in Washington territory, but Jake Elliott hit a 51-yard field goal to get Philadelphia on the board, cutting the deficit to 7-3.
Second Quarter
Defensive Drive 3
This drive for Washington -- which began in the first quarter -- culminated in a touchdown reception by Nazareth High School's Jahan Dotson, a 21-yard pass from Howell to extend Washington's lead.
Offensive Drive 3
Hurts connected with Brown three times on this series for 57 yards, but the drive came to an unceremonious end when Kenneth Gainwell fumbled the ball inside Washington's five-yard line. Kam Curl force the fumble, and Gainwell lost the scramble to recover it, as Phidarian Mathis came away with it.
Defensive Drive 4
On fourth-and-one at the 35 of the Eagles, Ron Rivera elected to keep his offense out on the field. It proved to be the wrong decision, as Howell nearly was intercepted by James Bradberry in an attempt to get the ball to McLaurin.
Offensive Drive 4
After consecutive chunk catches from Smith, Hurts connected with Brown for a 16-yard touchdown, where the receiver made an insane catch. The TD score cut Washington's lead to 14-10.
Defensive Drive 5
A false start penalty by Washington pushed a field-goal attempt by Joey Slye back to 61 yards, but the kicker converted on a new career-long, giving Washington a 17-10 lead going into halftime.
Third Quarter
Offensive Drive 5
Daron Payne forced a fumble on Washington's one-yard line, as Hurts and the Eagles attempted to cap off an eight-play, 74-yard drive with a tush push. Instead, Hurts coughed up the ball, and Kendall Fuller recovered it for the Commanders.
Defensive Drive 6
The Commanders got a little breathing room on an 18-yard completion to Dotson, but ultimately punted the ball away 56 yards from their own 20-yard line. Covey returned it 25 yards to Philadelphia's 49-yard line, setting the Eagles up in tremendous field position.
Offensive Drive 6
The Eagles successfully converted on fourth-and-four at the Washington 45-yard line, with Hurts connecting with Smith for a 17-yard gain. It appeared he had some assistance from the ground, but the Eagles were able to take the next snap before Washington could decide whether they wanted to challenge the reception. The drive ended with Brown, again, enforcing his will on a 25-yard touchdown catch.
Fourth Quarter
Defensive Drive 7
Howell connected with Logan Thomas for a seven-yard touchdown pass, allowing Washington to retake the lead after a drive that took 7:14 off the clock.
Offensive Drive 7
Hurts connected with Smith for a 38-yard touchdown, allowing the Eagles to tie the game after Elliott hit the extra point.
Defensive Drive 8
It had been an excellent day for Howell, but with the game tied 24-24 in the fourth quarter, safety Reed Blankenship picked him off deep in Washington territory.
Offensive Drive 8
Hurts connected with seven-time Pro Bowler Julio Jones for an eight-yard touchdown, the future Hall of Famer's first score with the Eagles.
Defensive Drive 9
Howell made two poor throws to McLaurin on third and fourth down, and was unable to connect on either. The Eagles forced a turnover on downs at their own 40-yard line with 4:18 remaining.
Offensive Drive 9
With a chance to ice the game, the Eagles went three-and-out, gaining just on yard on a rush by Swift. Mann then punted the ball away 59 yards for a touchback, setting Washington up at their own 20-yard line.
Defensive Drive 10
Pass rusher Haason Reddick once again served as a closer, forcing a fumble on a fourth down strip sack of Howell.
Offensive Drive 10
Swift put the game on ice with a seven-yard touchdown run with under two minutes remaining, giving the Eagles a 38-24 lead.
Defensive Drive 11
Howell connected with Crowder for a 26-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 38-31. However, Smith successfully recovered an onside-kick attempt from Washington, locking up a victory for the Eagles.
