The Eagles scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the Commanders and move within striking distance of leading the NFC East.
The managers were down 12-10 when they were stopped on second and third-and-1. Buoyed by their strong start to the season, coach Dan Quinn named the Eagles' No. 4 and No. 2 rookie quarterbacks jersey numbers “26.''
Jayden Daniels took the snap and scrambled to his right, but linebacker Zach Baun hit him wide.
The Eagles got a down. A decisive victory will have to wait for Quinn and Daniels.
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Immediately after that misfire, Saquon Barkley scored the first of two fourth-quarter touchdowns to give division-leading Philadelphia a two-point lead, giving the Eagles (8-2) a lead over the Commanders (7-0). (4 wins, 4 losses) to two consecutive wins. They lost 26-18 on Thursday night.
“It's a bold decision,” Quinn said. “I would also say we were ready for that moment. I didn't like the execution. But we were a good fourth-down team. We went into the game and we hit shots against a tough division.” We knew we had to do it.'' The team on the road didn't like the result or the content, but they were ready for it. ”
Plan B was a field goal.
Zane Gonzalez, promoted from the practice squad because Austin Seibert was dealing with a hip injury, scored 45 yards in the third quarter to take a 10-3 lead. Quinn decided not to give up another shot from about 44 yards out, leading 13-12.
“To be the slugger we want to be, we have to be able to hit close,” Quinn said. “How can we learn lessons to end this? That's what we're going to do. We should have known this adversity was coming. That's exactly what it is.”
Daniels completed 22-of-32 for 191 yards and a late touchdown pass. He was intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship late in the fourth, setting up Barkley's second TD.
“I'm always one of those guys. Let's go ahead and do it,” Daniels said of the crucial fourth-down call.
It was a frustrating night for Daniels and top receiver Terry McLaurin. McLaurin surpassed 100 yards receiving for the fourth time in the past eight games in last Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh, gaining 113 yards on five catches.
McLaurin had just one catch for 10 yards against the Eagles and cornerback Kunyon Mitchell.
“It's something that happens,” McLaughlin said. “You can only control what you can.”
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Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship celebrates with his teammates after making an interception during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Required Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images (Bill Streicher Iman Images)
Quinn said he plans to give commanders a few more days off before the stretch run. The manager will play four of his next five games at home, starting with a game against Dallas on Nov. 24.
They need a break.
The Eagles had the earliest bye in the NFL in Week 5, while the Commanders had the slowest in Week 14, with injuries piling up after a relatively healthy start to the season.
“I feel like we have a great response,” Daniels said. “We'll rest and get back on track.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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