Washington Commanders defense shined in the first half but faltered late, allowing key touchdowns in a tough divisional loss to Philadelphia Eagles.
The Washington Commanders, led by head coach Dan Quinn—a renowned defensive specialist and former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator—opened Thursday night’s NFC East clash against the Philadelphia Eagles with a formidable defensive effort. However, the second half unraveled as the defense faltered, leading to a 26-18 loss at Lincoln Financial Field.
Quinn’s defense stifled the Eagles early, limiting Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia offense to just three points in the first half. The Commanders' defensive front generated pressure and stuffed critical third-down opportunities, holding the Eagles to 174 total yards and no touchdowns before halftime. Despite the strong start, the second half saw Washington's defense lose its grip.
Philadelphia capitalized on its rushing attack late, particularly through Saquon Barkley, who delivered two game-defining touchdowns. Barkley’s 23-yard score midway through the fourth quarter capped a physical drive that gave the Eagles a 19-10 lead. On their next possession, Barkley struck again with a 39-yard touchdown run following a Commanders turnover, putting the game out of reach. Barkley finished with 146 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, exposing gaps in Washington’s defense as the game progressed.
The loss drops Washington to 7-4, ceding the NFC East lead to the 8-2 Eagles. Quinn, who brought a defensive identity to the team, faces a critical Week 12 matchup against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, at Northwest Stadium. It’s a chance for Washington to rebound and reassert their presence in the division.
