The Eagles took down Washington in a crucial divisional battle Monday night, 28-13, to remain in contention for the NFC East crown.
The victory came after a rare fast start from the Eagles’ offense and a second-half shutout from the defense. It also marked the first time this season the Eagles have won back-to-back games.
“I think this group, first of all, is a resilient group,” head coach Doug Pederson said. “I’ve said that a lot. This group doesn’t let a lot bother them. I think what you’ve seen now these last couple weeks, we’ve started getting some guys back healthy a little bit. We’re not there yet, but we’re getting close.”
Quarterback Carson Wentz was 27-of-39 passing for 306 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Wide receiver Golden Tate had his best game as an Eagle with 85 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
Tight end Zach Ertz was right behind him with 83 yards on nine receptions, surpassing the franchise’s single-season receptions record in the process.
Running back Josh Adams impressed again with 20 carries for a team-high 85 yards.
The Eagles began the game with much-needed fast start thanks to a drive that took up more than half the quarter and ended with a touchdown. On second-and-goal from the 6-yard line, Wentz rolled right, cut back, and fired a pass to Tate in the end zone for the wide receiver’s first touchdown as an Eagle.
The offense came up empty on its next two possessions. Washington got on the board with a field goal but lost quarterback Colt McCoy for the game with a leg injury. Former Eagle Mark Sanchez came in and Washington immediately took a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter after a 90-yard run by running back Adrian Peterson.
The Eagles then took the ball and drove all the way to Washington’s 1-yard line, but Washington’s defense stood tall and forced a turnover on downs.
The defense forced another stop to hand the ball back to the offense. The offense once again drove into Washington territory and capped off the drive with a 14-yard touchdown run by running back Darren Sproles – playing his first game since Week 1 – which gave the Eagles a 14-10 lead. It was Sproles’ first touchdown since 2016.
Washington added a late field goal to make it 14-13 at halftime.
After the defense set the tone again with another three-and-out to start the second half, the offense came up empty in the red zone again as a 70-yard drive ended with a Wentz interception in the end zone. Fortunately, the defense got another quick stop, giving the offense the ball back at its own 20.
The following drive took the game into the fourth quarter and included an Ertz reception, his 91st of the season, which set the Eagles’ single-season reception record previously held by Eagles Hall of Famer Brian Westbrook (2007).
Later in the drive, Wentz found wide receiver Jordan Matthews from 4 yards out for his second touchdown of the season. An impressive catch by Tate gave the Eagles a two-point conversion and a two-score lead, 22-13, with 14:10 to play.
The defense began to put the game away on the next possession when linebacker Nathan Gerry picked off Sanchez for his first-career interception. Jake Elliott then added a pair of field goals to put the game out of reach.
With the win, the Eagles improved to 6-6 and will take on the 7-5 Cowboys in Dallas next week with first place in the NFC East on the line.
via: Philadelphia Eagles
