If not for Washington’s COVID-19 outbreak, the storyline entering the team’s game against Philadelphia on Tuesday would have been about the run game.
The Eagles, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, entered the game with the league’s No. 1 rushing attack, while Washington’s defense boasted the NFL’s fourth-best run defense.
One had to give on Tuesday, and it was Washington that gave — over and over and over — in the 27-17 loss.
The Eagles totaled 238 yards on 41 carries — the most rushing yards allowed by Washington in a game this season by 75 yards. Miles Sanders led the way with 131 yards, while Hurts, who also completed 76% of his passes for 296 yards and a touchdown, scampered for 38 yards and two touchdowns.
The loss is the second straight for Washington (6-8) and severely damages the team’s chances of making the playoffs.
The Burgundy and Gold got out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to two takeaways by Landon Collins. The seventh-year hybrid safety intercepted a pass on Philadelphia’s first drive — after it went through Dallas Goedert’s hands, bounced off his foot and into Collins’ arms — to set up Washington’s first score, a 1-yard dive by running back Antonio Gibson. Collins then recovered a fumble caused by a Montez Sweat strip sack on the Eagles’ next drive, setting Washington’s offense up near midifield.
After a 46-yard deep pass from Garrett Gilbert to wide receiver Terry McLaurin put the offense inside the 10, the drive stalled at the 4-yard line and Brian Johnson made a 22-yard field goal. Gilbert, who was signed off New England’s practice squad on Friday, started in place of quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen, both of whom were on the COVID-19 list.
The rest of the game was dominated by Hurts, Sanders and Philadelphia’s offensive line, as the Eagles scored 20 unanswered points on Hurts’ two QB sneaks and two field goals from Jake Elliott. After the two turnovers and a punt on its first three drives, Philadelphia’s next three possessions were all 75-plus yards and ended in scores.
A 1-yard plunge from Washington running back Jaret Patterson brought the Burgundy and Gold within three points early in the fourth quarter, but Hurts quickly orchestrated an 80-yard scoring drive that ended in a 19-yard touchdown pass to Greg Ward.
Washington’s comeback attempt ended when Gilbert was sacked on fourth down with about 2:30 remaining in Eagles territory.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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