Quick Takes: Five takeaways from the Eagles 24-8 beatdown on Washington
For the first time since the trade, the Eagles traveled to Washington to face former franchise QB, Carson Wentz.
The Wentz revenge game was anything but, with the Eagles dominating both sides of the ball. Here are my five takeaways from the 24-8 victory at FedEx Field.
Different team, same old Wentz
The old habits of Carson Wentz were on display in this game: poor pocket awareness and the sheer refusal to throw the ball away. The Eagles sacked Wentz three times within the first five minutes and had six sacks by halftime, most in franchise history.
Washington didn’t get into much of an offensive rhythm until the second half, and even then, their efforts were stalled. The Commanders’ offense had -1 yards in the first half and their QB took a career-high nine total sacks on the day. The defense harassed Wentz all day and never gave him a chance.
Sacks today:
- Brandon Graham: 2.5 sacks
- Haason Reddick: 1.5 sacks
- Josh Sweat: 1.5 sacks
- Fletcher Cox: 1.5 sacks
- Javon Hargrave: 1 sacks
- TJ Edwards: 1 sack
Fletcher Cox is getting his sacks early today 💪
— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2022
📺: #PHIvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/OC8Yw9hask pic.twitter.com/MD1qwjJygd
DeVonta Smith records career day
Last year’s first-round pick had the most explosive day of his career, catching eight passes for 169 yards and a spectacular touchdown to end the first half. His 156 yards in the first half are the most by an Eagles player in a half since Kevin Curtis in 2007.
After not recording a single catch in Week 1, Smith posted career-highs in receptions and yards. Darius Slay was correct in his assessment last week; the Eagles indeed have three batmans at receiver.
Devonta Smith going OFF! 154 yards in the first half.
— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2022
📺: #PHIvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/OC8Yw9hask pic.twitter.com/GTeh5Vc6fZ
Jalen Hurts continues strong start to 2022
Even with the early success, detractors were still not impressed with Hurts and his one passing touchdown. The Eagles signal-caller was strictly a pocket passer in today’s game, throwing for 3 TDs and 340 yards after starting the day 1/5 passing.
Hurts becomes the first player in NFL history with at least 900 yards passing and 150 rushing yards in the first three weeks. It’ll be interesting to see where Hurts stands in the MVP race following today’s Chiefs and Bills losses.
MVP chants for @jalenhurts. 👀 pic.twitter.com/X9nnkQ577b
— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2022
Offense stalls in second half
For the second consecutive week, the Eagles failed to score a single point in the second half. With such a big deficit by halftime, it’s possible that Nick Sirianni is taking the conservative approach on offense while allowing the defense to pressure opponents.
If Philadelphia can keep their foot on the gas for all four quarters, they’ll be tougher to beat than they already are.
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Reunion tour continues next week
Following the Wentz beatdown, the Eagles move to 3-0 for the first time since 2016 and return home to face former Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson next week. By all accounts, today might as well have been a home game.
Washington fans are leaving and #Eagles fans are waiving bye pic.twitter.com/7Jk8SrG5pF
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) September 25, 2022
Mandatory Credit: NFL.com
