Philadelphia Eagles vs. Commanders Live Updates: Philly Wins OT Thriller
Since the start of the 2022 campaign, the Philadelphia Eagles have lost just one regular season game that quarterback Jalen Hurts has started. That came when the Washington Commanders upset them 32-21 in Week 10 of last year at Lincoln Financial Field.
Coach Ron Rivera's Commanders will look to replicate that formula Sunday afternoon, as they look to defeat Hurts and the Eagles in Philadelphia for the second consecutive year. It would also be the second year in a row that Washington handed coach Nick Sirianni's Eagles their first loss of the season, which would be quite the feat for a team also looking to reach the postseason in a crowded NFC East.
Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles will face off with Ron Rivera's Washington Commanders in Week 4. (USA Today)
The problem is that the Commanders allowed quarterback Sam Howell to get sacked a whopping nine times last week. After a promising Week 2 performance, Howell tossed four interceptions in a loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 3. In theory, there's nowhere to go but up for Eric Bieniemy's offense.
Most theories, though, don't account for a ferocious interior defensive line that includes Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. For as excellent as the Eagles defensive line was a season ago, Davis' emergence in his second season and the immediate dominance of Carter might make them even more imposing in 2023. If the Commanders couldn't keep Howell upright against the Bills, why would they be able to do so against the Eagles?
You can follow along throughout this afternoon's game for the latest live updates and highlights of this NFC East matchup
First Quarter
Defensive Drive 1: After winning the coin toss, the Eagles deferred to the second half. Howell and Washington put together an impressive 14-play, 75-yard drive to open the game, which receiver Curtis Samuel capped off by rushing for a one-yard touchdown. This was quite the statement by Bieniemy and the Commanders, who took 7:08 off the clock, while also converting a fourth down to open the tilt.
Offensive Drive 1: Hurts and the Eagles countered with a lengthy opening drive of their own, a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with D'Andre Swift rushing for a five-yard touchdown. While not quite as long as Washington's drive, Hurts and the Eagles took 6:35 off the clock with their touchdown drive.
Second Quarter
Defensive Drive 2
After the Eagles failed to pick off a hospital ball thrown by Howell in the end zone, receiver Terry McLaurin recovered a Brian Robinson Jr. goal line fumble for a touchdown. McLaurin also has four catches for 58 yards already.
Offensive Drive 2: Braden Mann punted the ball 34 yards after a *questionable* Landon Dickerson offensive offsides penalty cost the Eagles a successful fourth-down conversion and forced them to concede the possession.
Defensive Drive 3: Washington lost six yards on a three-and-out that Nicholas Morrow capped off with a sack of Howell.
Offensive Drive 3: The Eagles were again forced to punt on this drive. Washington edge rusher Chase Young sacked Hurts on second down, before Hurts overthrew DeVonta Smith deep on third down.
Defensive Drive 4: Washington increased their lead to 10 points on a Joey Slye 27-yard field goal, which came at the end of an 11-play drive.
Offensive Drive 4: After the Eagles successfully converted a fourth-and-one own their own 34-yard line, Hurts linked up with Smith for a 37-yard completion. Jake Elliott kicked a 41-yard field goal to cut the deficit to seven points as time expired in the first half.
Third Quarter
Offensive Drive 5: Hurts connected with Brown on a 28-yard pass to put the Eagles into Washington territory, but a nine-play, 45-yard drive ultimately ended up with Philadelphia settling for a 47-yard field goal from Elliott. Young is starting to pop in the pass rush for the Commanders.
Defensive Drive 5: The Eagles forced a punt from Washington after receiver Jahan Dotson dropped a third-down pass from Howell that would have extended the drive.
Offensive Drive 6: Hurts connected with Brown for a 59-yard touchdown pass, an explosive play that allowed the Eagles to take the lead for the first time Sunday. Kenneth Gainwell then successfully converted a two-point conversion, giving the Eagles a four-point lead.
Defensive Drive 6: The Eagles declined a holding call on Washington right tackle Andrew Wylie on third-and-four, only because Morrow recorded his second sack of the day on Howell to force a punt from the Commanders.
Fourth Quarter
Offensive Drive 7: The bulk of this drive took place in the third quarter, with the drive ultimately sputtering out deep in Washington territory. Elliott hit a 36-yard field goal to extend the lead, but it was still curious that offensive coordinator Brian Johnson played things safely by handing the ball off to Kenneth Gainwell on third-and-11.
Defensive Drive 7: Washington has tied the game after Brian Robinson rushed for a 15-yard touchdown, capping off an 11-play, 75-yard drive.
Offensive Drive 8: After Brown had to break up what would have been a Hurts interception, Mann punted the ball 47 yards, pinning Washington inside their own 10-yard line.
Defensive Drive 8: While Howell rushed for a 20-yard gain earlier in the drive, Washington had to punt the ball away on fourth-and-long. The most impactful play of the drive was Haason Reddick recording his first sack of the season.
Offensive Drive 9: Hurts connected with Brown for a 28-yard go-ahead touchdown with 1:43 remaining. Brown was penalized for taunting.
Defensive Drive 9: Howell connected with Jahan Dotson as time expired in regulation, with the Nazareth High School and Penn State product forcing overtime with a game-tying touchdown catch.
Overtime
Defensive Drive 10: The Eagles lost the coin toss, and Washington elected to receive. Washington was forced to punt, though, after Howell connected with McLaurin but the receiver wasn't able to get both feet down in bounds.
Offensive Drive 10: Elliott capped off a 10-play drive by hitting a game-winning field goal from 54 yards, his fourth of the day. The Eagles are 4-0.
