The Eagles just barely survived a 24-22 scare against the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Jalen Hurts pulled off a ridiculous game-saving 22-yard scramble in the fourth quarter that likely kept the season from starting with a totally unlikely loss. This win, a chaotic nail-biter, has fans buzzing, and it’s fair to wonder what this whole thing actually means moving forward.
Hurts, The Hero, and Clutch Plays
Jalen Hurts definitely answered some serious offseason criticism by winning this one. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns, with two dimes thrown down the middle on third down. Hurts added 46 rushing yards and made some strong throws. That 22-yard scramble with 8:03 to play, where he went off script on a third-and-18? Pure, game-saving clutch. The source says if he doesn’t make that play, the season could have started with a highly unlikely loss. Three plays later, he dropped a 43-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert for a 24-16 lead with 6:06 left. Goedert was a beast all game, reeling in a team-high four catches on five targets for 77 yards and both of his crucial TDs on third down. Hurts prides himself on finding ways to win, and that’s exactly what he did here, ensuring nine different Eagles touched the ball.
It wasn’t just Hurts. DeVonta Smith had a massive 31-yard reception on a third-and-five late in the third quarter, tip-toeing the sideline perfectly to beat former Eagle Rasul Douglas. That play kept a vital drive alive, leading to a Jake Elliott 35-yard field goal and a 17-9 lead. Smith even secured the on-side kick to truly seal the win. And how about defensive tackle Moro Ojomo clamping down on Commanders’ back-up tight end John Bates on that critical two-point conversion attempt with just 1:01 left, preventing the tie? Huge plays, all around. Plus, the Eagles’ third quarter defense was stout, giving up only 48 yards and keeping Jayden Daniels in check. Head Coach Nick Sirianni, by the way, is now an insane 6-0 in season openers and 35-14 overall.
So, What Was The Deal, Though?
Despite the win, let’s be real, this was a much closer call than many wanted. The Eagles “survived a 24-22 scare” against a Commanders team with two new coordinators that “had to do more learning on the job.” The game had “a lot of good, some bad and a pile of ugly.” While Hurts was clutch, the source plainly states he cannot do it alone moving forward. That first quarter was “dismal,” forcing the new revamped Eagles’ offense under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion to turn things around in the second. That second quarter did provide “a good glimpse of what this new revamped Eagles’ offense is supposed to look like,” scoring points. But Commanders’ QB Jayden Daniels, who looked a lot like the player he was two years ago, even “made Cooper DeJean look foolish” on some plays. This win felt like a nail-biter that they probably should’ve put away cleaner, relying too much on last-second heroics.
What’s Next for This Squad?
So yeah, they won. But surviving a scare like that against a team still finding its footing with new coordinators? It definitely leaves you with some questions. Hurts is a winner, and he delivered when it mattered most, but if this team wants to be truly elite, that “ugly” part of the game has to shrink significantly. Can they consistently put together a full four quarters of that second and third-quarter energy? That’s the real test for this squad moving forward. You gotta wonder if this tight win is a sign of incredible resilience or just barely scraping by.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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