NFL 2024: Saquon Barkley scores two late touchdowns as Philadelphia Eagles defeat Washington Commanders 26-18

nfl Friday 15 November 2024 12:40, UK

Saquon Barkley scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Philadelphia Eagles stretched their lead at the top of the NFC East with a 26-18 win over the Washington Commanders.

Barkley starred with 146 rushing yards, while quarterback Jalen Hurts recovered after being evaluated for a concussion to claim the go-ahead score to give the Eagles (8-2) a sixth straight win.

Hurts' head was spiked into the turf by linebacker Frankie Luvu in the second quarter, and the $255 million quarterback's head bounced off the ground. Hurts rolled over, face down, and grabbed his helmet. He was examined in the side-line medical tent but stayed in the game, finishing with 221 yards passing.

With the Eagles leading 12-10 in the fourth quarter, the Commanders were in range for a go-ahead field goal and coach Dan Quinn elected to go for it on fourth down. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels scrambled and was stopped for no gain, and less than three minutes later, Barkley scored on a 23-yard run.

Jake Elliott made the extra point after missing his previous try - along with two of his four field goal attempts - to give the Eagles a two-score lead.

Daniels, who finished 22 of 32 for 191 yards and a late touchdown pass, was intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship on Washington's next play, before Barkley finished off the Commanders (7-4) with a 39-yard touchdown run.

With 1,137 rushing yards through 10 games, Barkley moved ahead of Baltimore's Derrick Henry for the NFL lead. Both veteran running backs were signed as free agents in the offseason.

Washington entered with a chance to take over first place in the division but left with their second straight loss.

Elliott, who missed field goals of 44 and 51 yards, was wide left on the extra point after Hurts' 1-yard tush-push touchdown in the fourth quarter. He made field goals of 21 and 31 yards.

Elliott holds the franchise record with seven field goals of 50 yards or more in a season but has missed all four attempts from 50-plus in 2024.

Washington Commanders

Philadelphia Eagles

The matchup was hyped as the biggest game in this NFC East rivalry in nearly 30 years, but the first 30 minutes had all the excitement of a preseason game.

Perhaps affected by the big hit he absorbed, Hurts had an ineffective first half. He underthrew receivers - notably a pair of times to DeVonta Smith - and hung his head when a pass attempt with no nearby open receiver sailed out of bounds.

Brian Robinson Jr. ripped off an 18-yard run to the 1-yard line and punched in a touchdown on the next play for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Zane Gonzalez kicked a 45-yard field goal in the third quarter for a 10-3 lead.

But Gonzalez, promoted off the practice squad with Austin Seibert dealing with a hip injury, didn't get another opportunity late in the fourth. The Commanders were stopped on second- and third-and-1, and Daniels, the No 2 overall draft pick, was stuffed on Philadelphia's 26.

The Eagles took over and Hurts instantly connected with Dallas Goedert for a 31-yard gain. Goedert fumbled but the ball was scooped up by fellow tight end Grant Calcaterra. Barkley scored three plays later.

Zach Ertz, who played for the Eagles from 2013-21, had a touchdown catch in the final minute and then got both feet down in the back of the end zone for a 2-point conversion that got the Commanders within eight. Washington tried an onside kick but Philadelphia recovered.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni: "You can't be great without the greatness of others. Saquon was great tonight but the offensive line was really good."

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn: "Bold call (to go for it on fourth down). I'd also say we were prepared for that moment. Didn't love the execution. But we've been an excellent fourth-down team. Going into it, we knew we'd have to take our shots against a tough division team on the road. We didn't like the execution or the result. But we were prepared for that."

The Commanders will look to get their playoff hopes back on track as they play four of their next five games at home, starting with the visit of the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday in another divisional clash.

The Eagles will be on in US primetime again as they visit the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday evening, in the early hours of Monday in the UK.

Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app - giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost.