Commanders Come Up a Few Yards Short in Week 1 Loss to Eagles

The Commanders’ revamped defense held the fort for most of Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia. The unit limited Saquon Barkley on the ground and put pressure on Jalen Hurts. For the most part — the key word being most — Washington kept Philadelphia at bay at Lincoln Financial Field. But it took just four plays to undo all of that progress.

The defense allowed a 64-yard bomb to Dontayvion Wicks in the first quarter, leading to the game’s first touchdown. It gave up a 42-yard run by Barkley, setting up Philadelphia’s second score. Then there was the 22-yard scramble by Hurts on a key 3rd and 18 late, leading to the biggest dagger of them all: a 43-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert that proved to be the difference.

Behind those big plays, the Eagles took the season opener, 24-22, after the Commanders failed on a two-point conversion with just over a minute left in the fourth quarter.

The Washington offense was mostly anemic on the afternoon, failing to reach 40 yards of total offense in the first quarter. But they came alive when it mattered most in the fourth. Stefon Diggs scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels, and a series later rookie Antonio Williams made a fingertip touchdown grab at the goal line to bring the Commanders within two. But a failed shovel pass to tight end John Bates on the two-point conversion sealed the Commanders’ fate.

Daniels finished 18 of 34 for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense sacked Hurts three times, had 10 tackles for loss and put together a strong overall showing. But Philadelphia’s chunk plays and the offense’s slow start proved too much to overcome.

This story will be updated.