The Washington Commanders pulled off a stunning upset over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, winning 36-33 after mounting a remarkable comeback. The Commanders were down at various points during the game, including trailing by as many as 10 points as the final quarter began, but they refused to give up.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels led Washington’s charge, throwing five touchdown passes, three of which came during the explosive final quarter. The Commanders could not afford to lose hope even after starting their game with five turnovers, including two lost fumbles by running back Brian Robinson Jr. and one by wide receiver Dyami Brown. Despite these setbacks, Daniels found his rhythm and put together a brilliant performance.
The action began heating up as the final quarter started. Washington initially trailed 27-14, but Daniels connected with Olamide Zaccheaus for a 4-yard touchdown pass to spark the comeback. Shortly after, the Commanders forced the Eagles to punt, giving them another opportunity. Daniels, displaying remarkable poise, then found Zaccheaus for another touchdown—this time on a stunning 49-yard strike—to take the lead.
Just as the Commanders appeared ready to control the game, the Eagles responded with back-to-back field goals from kicker Jake Elliott, giving Philadelphia the lead once more with under two minutes remaining. With the clock winding down and the stakes high, Daniels led Washington down the field with impressive precision, culminating the drive with a game-winning pass to wide receiver Jamison Crowder with just six seconds on the clock. The triumphant score put the Commanders up by three points, sealing the victory and sending their fans—still buzzing from the near-miraculous comeback—into celebration.
Daniels wrapped up his day with statistics showing he completed 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards. Although he threw two interceptions, his ability to deliver under pressure on the final drive was nothing short of heroic. “We didn’t do enough,” Eagles running back Saquon Barkley lamented after the loss, reflecting on the missed opportunities for his team. Meanwhile, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, whose ejection played a pivotal role, expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “Respectfully got kicked out for nothing, I play with passion and fire!!” He had been ejected after receiving two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during the game.
Hurts had to leave the game early on due to a concussion, forcing Kenny Pickett to step up as the Eagles’ quarterback. Pickett managed 143 passing yards along with one touchdown and one interception but struggled to ignite the same offensive firepower as Hurts, whose absence proved detrimental for Philadelphia. Hurts had been consistent throughout the season and losing him early hampered the Eagles’ rhythm.
Overall, the Eagles entered the game as heavy favorites, maintaining momentum on a 10-game winning streak before Sunday’s unexpected defeat. They initially got off to a strong start, scoring 21 points during the first quarter through excellent teamwork and offensive execution, with A.J. Brown leading the team with eight catches for 97 yards and one touchdown. Barkley added to the Eagles' ground game, totaling 150 rushing yards with two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to withstand the late-game surge from Washington.
This game not only snapped the Eagles’ winning streak but also marked the Washington Commanders' first 10-win season since 2012, signifying their return to contention. The victory stands as one of the season's most memorable moments and could serve as a key turning point for the Commanders as they aim for playoff aspirations. With the Commanders now improving their record to 10-5 and the Eagles dropping to 12-3, the stakes have been raised for the remaining games this season.
