NFC East Week 6 Wrap-up: Eagles No Longer Perfect; Giants Showed Some Bite
The Philadelphia Eagles were defeated for the first time this year thanks to a smothering Jets defense, while the New York Giants, despite losing their fourth game in a row, actually held the lead in a game for more than 19 seconds for the first time this season (hey, at this point, we'll take whatever moral victories we can get).
The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, barely squeaked by the Los Angeles Chargers while the Washington Commanders rebounded from an embarrassing blowout loss the week prior against the Chicago Bears with a big win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Let's recap the Week 6 action.
Oct 15, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets safety Jordan Whitehead (3) breaks up a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) in front of cornerback Bryce Hall (37) during the second half at MetLife Stadium.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Jets 20, Eagles 14
The New York Jets delivered one of the season's biggest upsets by defeating the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles, 20-14. The Eagles, who were 5-0 entering the game, were the last remaining undefeated team after the San Francisco 49ers (also at 5-0) lost earlier in the day to the Cleveland Browns; with no more unbeaten teams left, the 1972 Miami Dolphins will remain the only undefeated team in NFL history for now.
The Jets, playing without star players Aaron Rodgers, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Joe Tippmann, and Sauce Gardner, as well as cornerbacks DJ Reed, Brandin Echols, and Justin Hardee, pulled off the upset thanks to their opportunistic defense. Although the Eagles outgained the Jets 348-244, New York’s defense forced four turnovers, while their offense wouldn’t lose any themselves. The last of these turnovers would set up running back Breece Hall’s game-clinching 8-yard touchdown run with 1:46 left in regulation.
Although not particularly impressive, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson had a gutsy performance, overcoming a deadly Eagles pass rush and five sacks by completing 19 of 33 passes for 186 yards. His top target was Garrett Wilson, who caught eight passes for 90 yards. Hall had just 39 rushing yards on 12 carries, but he had an additional 54 receiving yards on five receptions, and his touchdown run was the difference in the game.
Despite having both a passing and rushing touchdown, 280 passing yards, and 47 rushing yards, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had one of the worst performances of his career. His three interceptions allowed the Jets to stay in the game throughout, while the last interception cost his team the game.
Wide receiver A.J. Brown was a bright spot for Philadelphia, hauling seven receptions for 131 yards. The Eagles could only generate 80 rushing yards against the Jets’ stout defense; compounding this was an injury to key offensive lineman Lane Johnson, who would not return.
The Jets were forced to punt on their first possession, and the Eagles responded with a massive 19-play, 91-yard touchdown drive that ate up a whopping nine minutes and 47 seconds of clock. The offense picked up seven first downs, and Hurts finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run on 4th and Goal; although he was initially ruled short of the goal line, this call was overturned after a replay review. However, Philadelphia would lose Johnson on this drive for the rest of the game.
New York responded by mounting an 11-play, 50-yard drive that ended just outside the red zone; Greg Zuerlein then kicked his first of four field goals to put the Jets on the board. On Philadelphia’s next drive, Hurts threw his first interception of the game to Quinnen Williams. Still, New York’s offense failed to capitalize and turned the ball over on downs at the Philadelphia 36.
In sharp contrast to their previously massive touchdown drive, the Eagles needed just six plays, two minutes, and 53 seconds to find the end zone again; a 49-yard reception by Brown set up Hurts’s 9-yard touchdown pass to running back D’Andre Swift, extending the Eagles’ lead to 14-3.
However, the Jets would show their resolve and tacked on two more field goals from Zuerlein before halftime. The first came after a 25-yard reception by Hall, which sparked a drive inside the red zone. The second came after Swift lost a fumble that was recovered by Quincy Williams, which allowed the Jets to cut their deficit to just five points at the end of the first half.
The first three drives of the second half ended in punts, but the Jets eventually found great field position at the Philadelphia 36-yard line. They would mount yet another drive inside the red zone, going as far as the Eagles 8, but a 12-yard sack by Hassan Reddick forced New York to settle for Zuerlein’s fourth field goal to cut the Eagles’ lead to two.
But the Eagles’ offense was an outright disaster for the rest of the game. Their next four drives ended in two interceptions, a missed field goal, and a turnover on downs. First, Hurts threw his second interception of the game to Bryce Hall, but this proved inconsequential as the Jets went three-and-out. Next, a 36-yard strike to Brown would spark a drive to the New York 19, but the usually reliable Jake Elliott missed a 37-yard field goal attempt wide right; this was just Elliott’s second miss of the season.
The Jets were forced to punt again, but Hurts would proceed to make the team’s biggest mistake of the game. Facing 3rd-and-9 at his own 46-yard line, Hurts’s pass intended for Dallas Goedert was intercepted by Tony Adams, who returned the ball 45 yards to the Eagles’ 8-yard line.
This time, the Jets finally went for the jugular and took their first lead of the game with Hall’s 8-yard touchdown run; Wilson then created more distance with a successful two-point conversion pass to Randall Cobb, although the Jets still led by just six points.
The Eagles had one last chance to avoid a shocking upset, but the Jets’ defense would only allow two yards in a four-and-out. When Hurts’ deep pass intended for DeVonta Smith on 4th-and-8 fell incomplete, it was victory formation for the Jets, as Wilson took two knees before the team celebrated in front of an ecstatic MetLife Stadium crowd.
Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) reacts after an interception with linebacker De'Jon Harris (45) and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (13) against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Commanders 24, Falcons 16
The Washington Commanders improved their record to 3-3 with a hard-fought 24-16 road win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Despite being outgained in total yards 402-193 and only having the ball for 23 and a half minutes, the key difference was turnovers; Washington forced three turnovers (all interceptions) on defense, while the offense wouldn’t lose any of their own.
Commanders quarterback Sam Howell completed 14 of 23 for 151 yards and three touchdowns while posting a passer rating of 119.7. His top target was Terry McLaurin, who caught six passes for 81 yards. Each of Howell’s touchdowns went to a different receiver.
Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder had a rough day, as he was intercepted three times. He completed 28 of 47 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, but all three of his interceptions were in the second half; two came deep in Washington territory, and one came in the end zone. Ultimately, Atlanta couldn’t recover from the costly turnovers.
The Commanders opened the game by moving 56 yards in 12 plays, with Howell’s 23-yard completion to McLaurin setting up Joey Slye’s 37-yard field goal to begin the scoring. Atlanta responded with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, as Ridder completed passes of 20 and 11 yards to receiver Drake London before throwing a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Pitts to take a 7-3 lead.
Both teams punted on their next drives, but early in the second quarter, the Commanders received an instant red zone opportunity when punt returner Jamison Crowder returned Bradley Pinion’s punt 61 yards to the Atlanta 11-yard line. Washington needed only three plays to capitalize, retaking a 10-7 lead on Howell’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gibson.
Washington would have another short field to work with on their next drive, as the defense forced a turnover on downs at their own 48-yard line. The offense then moved 52 yards in seven plays; an 18-yard completion to McLaurin was followed by Howell’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Curtis Samuel. The Falcons responded with a drive to the Washington 26, but an intentional grounding penalty on Ridder forced them to settle for Younghoe Koo’s 47-yard field goal, making the score 17-10 Washington at halftime.
In the second half, Washington’s defense was the difference. On Atlanta’s opening drive of the third quarter, Kendall Fuller intercepted a pass from Ridder and returned it to the Falcons’ 27-yard line, giving the Commanders’ offense yet another short field to work with. Two plays later, Howell threw his third touchdown pass of the game, a 27-yarder to Brian Robinson Jr.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Falcons cut their deficit to eight points by moving 81 yards in 12 plays. Ridder finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jonnu Smith, making the score 24-16 after the two-point conversion failed.
However, the Falcons’ next three drives ended in two interceptions and a turnover on downs. First, Atlanta moved 82 yards in 11 plays, making it as far as the Washington 2-yard line. However, after a delay of game penalty, Ridder was intercepted by Benjamin St-Juste in the end zone, who downed himself for a touchback.
The Commanders’ offense went three-and-out, but the defense forced Atlanta to go four-and-out, with Ridder’s pass to Pitts on fourth down falling incomplete. The Falcons forced another three-and-out to give their offense one last chance, but at the Washington 34-yard line, Ridder threw his third pick of the game, this one to Jamin Davis, allowing the Commanders to seal the victory.
Oct 16, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Cowboys 20, Chargers 17
In a hard-fought battle on Monday Night Football, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 20-17. With the win, the Cowboys not only improved to 4-2 but are now just one game behind the Eagles for first place in the NFC East.
The game was evenly matched throughout and ultimately came down to Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey’s 39-yard field goal with 2:19 remaining.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a 109.3 passer rating, completing 21 of 30 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown while leading the team with 40 rushing yards. Running back Tony Pollard had 110 all-purpose yards; although he rushed for only 30 yards on 15 carries, he caught six passes for 80 receiving yards. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb caught seven balls for 117 yards.
Most of the Chargers’ offense came through the air, with only 53 yards on the ground. Quarterback Justin Herbert completed 22 of 37 passes for 227 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. His top target was receiver Keenan Allen, who caught seven passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. Running back Austin Ekeler had just 27 rushing yards on 14 carries but also caught four passes for 35 yards.
The Chargers forced a three-and-out to begin the game, and a 26-yard punt return by Darius Davis gave them excellent field position at the Dallas 42. Los Angeles needed just five plays to find the end zone, as Ekeler’s 28-yard reception set up Herbert’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Allen for a 7-0 lead.
Dallas responded right away, driving 75 yards in nine plays. Lamb caught two passes for 34 yards to move the ball into Charger territory, and Prescott finished the drive himself with an 18-yard scramble to the end zone on 4th and 1 to tie the game at seven.
From there, the rest of the first half and the game to a slightly lesser extent would become a defensive battle. The Chargers’ remaining possessions in the half ended in punts; the Cowboys wouldn’t fare much better, as they punted twice before turning the ball over on downs just before the two-minute warning on a failed “tush push” on 4th and 1.
They would get the ball back with 59 seconds left and drive 57 yards to the Los Angeles 14-yard line, but coach Mike McCarthy oddly chose to let the clock run down to three seconds and have Aubrey kick a 32-yard field goal despite having two timeouts and enough time for two shots at the end zone. Nonetheless, the field goal gave Dallas a 10-7 lead at halftime.
Los Angeles began the second half with a 13-play, roughly seven-minute drive to the Dallas 7-yard line, where they faced 4th and 1. Chargers coach Brandon Staley chose to go for it but wound up with no points when Herbert’s pass intended for Joshua Palmer was broken up by DaRon Bland. This would factor into the Chargers’ next possession, as they advanced 43 yards in 10 plays before facing 4th and Goal at the Dallas 6-yard line; this time, Staley chose to take the points, and Cameron Dicker tied the game at 10 with a 24-yard field goal.
The Cowboys retook the lead with an 8-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, set up by a 60-yard reception by Pollard and finished by a 2-yard touchdown catch by Brandin Cooks. But the Chargers received a golden opportunity after being forced to punt on their next drive; a successful challenge by Staley revealed that Dallas’s Jalen Tolbert muffed the punt, and Chargers special teamer Amen Ogbongbemiga recovered the live ball inside the red zone.
A defensive pass interference call on Stephon Gilmore on the next play moved the ball to the Dallas 5-yard line, and four plays later, Herbert converted on 4th and Goal with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Everett, tying the game at 17 with 7:11 left in regulation.
Ultimately, Dallas responded by marching 54 yards in 14 plays for the game-winning score. They converted three third downs (although one was by penalty), while Cooks caught two passes for 25 yards to set up Aubrey’s 39-yard field goal with 2:19 remaining. The Cowboys’ defense did the rest, as Micah Parsons sacked Herbert on the first play after the two-minute warning before Gilmore provided the finishing touch with a game-clinching interception at the Chargers’ 33-yard line.
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