Instant observations from Eagles 29, Commanders 18: Eagles clinch back-to-back NFC East title in stilted manner

We are gathered here today to celebrate the life and untimely death of the NFL’s favorite fun fact. “The NFC East has not had a back-to-back winner since 2004” lived 20 lively years, with its most activity often coming in December and May. It was killed mercifully Saturday in Landover, Md., by a Philadelphia Eagles team that clinched its second straight division title in a way that made most everyone think “This is the best you’ve got?” It is survived by Kevin Burkhardt, Spero Dedes, Daryl “Moose” Johnston, Dick Stockton and others.

For their part, the Eagles’ offense and special teams did everything they could to postpone clinching the division. Will Shipley fumbled away the game’s opening kickoff, Jake Elliott missed three field goals, Jalen Hurts missed a handful of open receivers and Nick Sirianni continued his mind-boggling handling of end-of-half situations. Nevertheless, the Eagles prevailed, thanks in part to more stout defense, an interception by Cooper DeJean, touchdown passes by Hurts to DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, and a thumping touchdown run by Saquon Barkley. At 10-5, the Eagles will aim to fight for the NFC’s No. 2 seed, which likely would require beating the Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 17 and then the Commanders at home in Week 18. Asked whether he now regrets the asinine decision to schedule the Eagles and Commanders to play in Weeks 16 and 18, which was derided at the time for it’s anti-drama and ignorance of the Commanders’ obvious coming decline, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could not be reached for comment.

Here are the PHLY Eagles staff’s observations about the 29-18 Eagles win.

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EJ Smith

True to form, the Eagles became the first team in two decades to clinch the NFC East in back-to-back seasons while also leaving plenty to worry about in the grand scheme of things.

The 29-10 win over the Washington Commanders wasn’t the convincing sort the team authored the week before against the Las Vegas Raiders. There were flashes from the offense and the steady dominance from the defense that has become the norm, but there’s also the concerning fact that the Eagles trailed, 10-7, at the start of the third quarter when Washington backup quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered a right hand injury that ended his evening.

Coasting to a win with third-string signal caller Josh Johnson under center for the Commanders should not diminish the fact that the Eagles secured the proverbial hat and T-shirt on the road against a division opponent. Still, the dubious end-of-half handling, Jake Elliott’s kicking woes, and the early offensive inconsistencies still leave questions about whether this Eagles team can hit the ground running in time for the playoffs.

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Fran Duffy

This team really is a rollercoaster on offense, and that makes them tough to peg as the playoffs inch closer. 

On one hand, the talent is the talent. We know what Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert are all capable of on an individual play basis. Any given snap they can make you pay. 

We also know that the product has just not been good enough this season on that side of the ball, and that was absolutely the case in this game. The timing and rhythm was off in the passing game. Penalties were called. Balls were on the ground. Hurts missed throws. Play calling late in the half once again left people scratching their heads. It’s just a really hard group to feel confident in going into the postseason. 

Defensively? That’s a group you can hang your hat on. The run defense can be a bit leaky at times, but the rush was present, the coverage was tight, and there were plenty of good plays to point to against a bad Washington team. They looked how they should look against that unit. 

I wish I felt better about this team, as a whole, than I do right now.

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Bo Wulf

Why did Nick Sirianni go for two up 27-10 with just over four minutes left? It was already a three possession game, and there’s so functional difference between an 18-point and 19-point lead (“No, no,” you say, “Two touchdowns, two two-point conversions and a field goal beats you with 18 points.” To which I say, “Go make a friend.”) Did he want to avoid Elliott missing an extra point despite him having made both second-half attempts? Did he want to offend the Commanders enough to ensure they play hard and dirty in the Week 18 rematch? Was he hoping a key player on offense would get suspended or injured? Did he want to belatedly fight against the charges of game-management cowardice spurred by his handling of the end of the first half?

Anyway, congrats to the Eagles on their NFC East title. Brandon Johnson made a tackle on kickoff coverage.

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Jamie Lynch

Will Shipley, committed to the nothing is ever easy bit. Commendable start to the game. Eagles offense then had a fairly easy drive down the field, which led to DeVonta grabbing a TD to make up for his dropped one about 3 plays earlier.

Jake Elliot has missed kicks in 4 of the last 5 games, this isn’t ideal! Will Shipley stumbles again, making it a not so fun first half.

Absolutely embarrassing effort by the offense to try and draw the defense offsides TWICE on 4th down in the first half. Have some pride in the offense, that’s an embarrassing look.

That Will Shipley 3rd down cowards call early in the 3rd quarter made me want to drink bleach. But fear not, they followed it up with perhaps the ugliest TD drive of all time!

Coop gets an INT & Saquon goes full beast mode for a 12 yard TD & you see how easy beating a bad team CAN be. They just didn’t want to finish them off in the first half when they had every chance to.