The Philadelphia Eagles' winning streak came to an end as starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was ruled out of the game against the Washington Commanders due to a concussion. Hurts' injury occurred early in the game after taking a hard hit that forced him out of the contest. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett stepped in to replace Hurts but was unable to lead the Eagles to victory.
Despite the setback, the Eagles had a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter. However, a crucial dropped pass by receiver DeVonta Smith proved costly as Philadelphia ultimately fell short in a 36-33 loss to Washington.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles struggled to contain rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who threw for five touchdowns and 339 yards. The Commanders' defensive strategy of focusing on stopping running back Saquon Barkley after Hurts' exit limited the Eagles' offensive production.
Pickett, who saw his first significant playing time since 2023, showed resilience despite the challenging circumstances. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown but also threw an interception. Pickett's efforts were praised by his teammates, who acknowledged his contributions in trying to secure a victory.
Philadelphia's defense faced additional challenges in the second half, playing without key starters due to injuries and ejections. The team's discipline was also called into question, as safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, further complicating the Eagles' efforts to mount a comeback.
With the loss, the Eagles' hopes for securing the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye have been dampened. The team will need to regroup and refocus as they aim to clinch the NFC East title in their upcoming games against the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants to close out the regular season.
For more NFL news and updates, visit AP NFL.
