Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was sidelined early in the game against the Washington Commanders due to a concussion, bringing the Eagles’ impressive 10-game winning streak to an abrupt end.
The Philadelphia Eagles faced an unexpected turn of events during their matchup with the Washington Commanders. In the early stages of the game, starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was ruled out after suffering a head injury. On one particular play, Hurts’ head violently collided with the ground, followed by another hit to the helmet by Frankie Luvu, leading to his quick removal from the field. Coach Nick Sirianni later remarked, ‘Anything that has anything to do with the head is out of our hands there,’ indicating the uncertainty surrounding Hurts’ return.
In Hurts’ absence, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett took to the field. The Eagles struggled to maintain momentum, ultimately succumbing to the Commanders with a final score of 36-33. Despite Pickett’s efforts—completing 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards, including a touchdown pass to A.J. Brown—the team failed to secure victory. Pickett himself acknowledged areas for improvement, expressing his need to revisit certain plays, a sentiment echoed by his teammate Saquon Barkley, who commended Pickett for stepping in under challenging circumstances.
The loss was exacerbated by defensive lapses. Philadelphia’s defense, typically a stronghold, faltered as Washington’s rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, capitalized with five touchdown passes and a total of 339 yards. Saquon Barkley, although starting strong with 109 yards and two touchdowns early on, found his performance hindered after Hurts’ exit, as the Commanders focused on shutting down the rushing attack.
Key mistakes contributed to Philadelphia’s downfall. DeVonta Smith’s late-game drop and numerous penalties were costly. ‘We shot ourselves in the foot,’ Smith admitted, recognizing missed opportunities to clinch the game. The absence of several key players during the second half, due to injuries and ejections, added further challenges for the Eagles.
In addition to Hurts, the Eagles played without injured edge rusher Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Jordan Davis. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected following a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which he later contested on social media. Despite these setbacks, the Eagles remain in contention for the NFC East title, needing one more win to secure a top-tier postseason seed as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Philadelphia Eagles will need to regroup swiftly as they face crucial games ahead. The uncertainty surrounding Jalen Hurts’ return adds pressure to an already challenging situation, with the team striving to secure their position in the playoffs.
