Eagles

Quick Takes: Five takeaways from the Eagles 38-31 win over Washington

The Eagles moved to 7-1 on the season after yet another tough-fought game against the Commanders.

Behind a 21-point fourth quarter, the Eagles overcame self-inflicted wounds to defeat Washington, who refused to go away down the stretch.

Here are five takeaways from the Eagles 38-31 victory:

AJ Brown makes history

Brown continued his historic streak on Sunday afternoon, catching eight passes for 130 yards and 2 TDs. He logged his sixth straight game of 125+ receiving yards, setting a new NFL record previously held by HOF WR Calvin Johnson.

AJ Brown’s 939 receiving yards through eight games are second to just Tyreek Hill (1,021 yards) this season. Brown may not just be the best receiver right now; he might be the best player in all of football.

Jalen Hurts dazzled through the air

On a bad knee, Jalen Hurts continuously answered the call when Washington got ahead.

Hurts final stats

  • 29/38 — 76% comp.
  • 319 yards
  • 4 TDs, 0 INTs
  • 135.7 passer rating

The Eagles’ offense fumbled away multiple red zone opportunities, one coming on a failed snap during a Brotherly Shove attempt. After Washington took a seven-point lead to begin the fourth quarter, Hurts found a wide-open DeVonta Smith for 38 yards to tie it up. The Commanders never saw another lead.

Clearly hampered by his knee, Hurts stayed strong in the pocket, withstood hits, and delivered on-time throws to his receivers. When Hurts targeted AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, he was 15/15, 229 yards and 3 TDs.

People may have their opinions of the Eagles’ signal-caller, but they can never question his toughness and desire to win. Hurts is the first Eagles’ QB with 300 passing yards, 4 TDs, and 0 INTs in a game since Nick Foles in 2013.

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Julio Jones making plays in 2023

Just as I said when he initially signed in Philadelphia, Julio Jones is still capable of making plays. All tied at 24, Jalen Hurts led the Eagles on another red zone drive and found Jones on a strike that only he could catch.

Jones used his 6-3, 220-pound frame to high-point the ball, absorb the contact, and come down with his first TD since Week 10 of last year. In just his second game with the Eagles, Julio’s veteran presence is already making an impact.

Haason Reddick calls game

If the Phillies had a closer like Haason Reddick, they might be playing in the World Series right now. The Eagles’ defense failed to register a sack until 2:18 left in the fourth quarter when Reddick finally got to Sam Howell on 4th-down.

Reddick is now up to a team-high 6.5 sacks over the last five games and is seemingly always coming up big in pivotal moments.

Eagles defense diced up

One week removed from shutting down Miami’s prolific offense, Sean Desai’s defense got picked apart in a performance eerily reminiscent of Jonathan Gannon last season.

Sam Howell had just two incompletions in the first half; his 24 first-half completions were the most in Washington’s franchise history. Eric Bieniemy got whatever he wanted over the middle and the Eagles, Reed Blankenship’s timely interception aside, couldn’t do much to stop it.

Howell ended the day 39/52 passing for 397 yards and 4 TDs, easily the best outing of his young career.

Eventually, Desai will realize you have to press receivers when QBs are getting the ball out quickly. Let’s hope he makes the necessary adjustments before facing CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys next Sunday.

Mandatory Credit: Getty Images

Victor Williams is the host/producer of The Philly Pod on iHeartRadio and leads all Eagles coverage as co-founder of The Liberty Line.

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  2. Our coordinators need to check themselves
    I believe they’re in way over their heads, I’m thinking if they don’t get this fixed pretty quickly it’s going to be on Sarrianni.
    Very questionable play calling we should have destroyed Washington with no problem with the talent on this team. Where’s the blitz non existent. Go birds

    Reply

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