It happened. The lights were blinding at Lincoln Financial Field, the crowd was deafening, and by the time the fourth quarter smoke cleared, we finally knew who won the commanders-eagles game. The Philadelphia Eagles walked away with a 26-18 victory, but honestly, that score doesn't even begin to tell the whole story of what went down on that Thursday night. If you just look at the box score, you see a win for Philly. If you watched the game, you saw a heavyweight fight that shifted the entire balance of power in the NFC East.
Washington came in hot. Jayden Daniels has been the talk of the league, and for a good chunk of the night, it looked like the Commanders might actually pull off the upset on the road. They led 10-6 heading into the final frame. Then, Saquon Barkley happened. It was like a switch flipped.
The Turning Point Everyone is Talking About
When people ask who won the commanders-eagles game, they usually want to know how Philly pulled it out after looking so stagnant for three quarters. It basically came down to a disastrous fourth down decision by Dan Quinn and a lightning-fast response from the Eagles' offense.
The Commanders were up 10-9. They had a 4th-and-2 at the Eagles' 26-yard line. Instead of kicking a field goal to go up by four, Quinn went for it. Jayden Daniels got swallowed up. Turnover on downs. From that moment, the momentum didn't just shift; it evaporated for Washington. On the very next play, the Eagles started a drive that ended with Saquon Barkley sprinting 23 yards into the end zone. Then, just seconds later after a Washington interception, he did it again. Two touchdowns in 20 seconds. Game over.
Philly fans were losing their minds.
You’ve got to feel for Daniels a bit. He finished 22-of-32 for 191 yards, one touchdown, and one late interception. He didn't look like the superstar we've seen all season, but a lot of that was due to the Eagles' secondary playing out of their skins. Vic Fangio’s defense has quietly become one of the best units in football, and they made the rookie look, well, like a rookie for the first time in months.
Saquon Barkley is Just Different
We need to talk about Saquon. Honestly, what the Giants were thinking letting him walk is a mystery that might never be solved. He finished the night with 146 rushing yards on 26 carries and two scores. He also added 52 yards through the air. That’s nearly 200 yards of total offense in a game where the Eagles' passing attack was struggling to find a rhythm.
Jalen Hurts had a weird night. He was 18-of-28 for 221 yards. No passing touchdowns. He did get a "Tush Push" score, because of course he did. But for long stretches, the offense looked out of sync. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith were out there, but they weren't the focal point. This was the Saquon Barkley show, through and through.
Defensive Masterclass in the City of Brotherly Love
The reason who won the commanders-eagles game became such a trending topic isn't just because of the rivalry. It’s because both defenses played at an elite level for 45 minutes. Frankie Luvu for the Commanders was everywhere. He finished with two sacks and was a constant thorn in Hurts' side. Washington's defense held the Eagles to field goals for most of the night, keeping the game within reach despite their own offensive struggles.
But Philly’s young corners? Wow.
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Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are playing like seasoned veterans. They didn't give Terry McLaurin an inch of breathing room. McLaurin, who is usually a lock for 80+ yards, was held to just one catch for 10 yards. That is insane. When you take away a quarterback's primary weapon like that, you force him to work through progressions he’s not comfortable with yet. That was the secret sauce for the Eagles' win.
The Jayden Daniels Health Question
There’s been a lot of chatter about whether Daniels is actually 100%. Ever since that rib injury a few weeks back, he hasn't looked quite as explosive as a runner. Against the Eagles, he only had 18 rushing yards. For a guy who usually kills teams with his legs, that’s a red flag. The Eagles' defensive line, led by Jalen Carter and Zack Baun, stayed disciplined. They didn't over-pursue, which kept Daniels contained in the pocket.
Baun is another name people need to start respecting. He had 15 tackles. Fifteen! He’s been perhaps the most underrated signing of the entire NFL offseason. He’s basically the glue holding that linebacker corps together right now.
What This Means for the NFC East Standings
The result of who won the commanders-eagles game basically handed the keys of the division to Philadelphia. With this win, the Eagles moved to 8-2, while the Commanders dropped to 7-4. That’s a massive swing. Philly now has the tiebreaker advantage and a bit of a cushion as we head into the brutal December stretch.
Washington isn't dead, though. Not even close.
They showed they can go toe-to-toe with the big boys in a hostile environment. But they've lost two straight games now. They lost a heartbreaker to the Steelers, and now this. The "honeymoon phase" of the Dan Quinn era is over, and now it's about grit. They need to find a way to get the run game going again, especially since Brian Robinson Jr. looked a little banged up despite his touchdown.
- Eagles Record: 8-2 (First in NFC East)
- Commanders Record: 7-4 (Second in NFC East)
- Key Stat: Saquon Barkley 146 rushing yards
- Key Stat: Terry McLaurin held to 1 reception
The atmosphere in Philly was electric. It’s one of those games that reminds you why NFC East football is just different. The vitriol, the stakes, the sheer physicality—it was all there. Even when the Eagles were trailing, the fans didn't turn. They knew the breakout was coming.
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Actionable Takeaways for Football Fans
If you're looking at the fallout of who won the commanders-eagles game, there are a few things you should keep an eye on for the rest of the season.
First, watch the health of Jayden Daniels. If he can't threaten defenses with his legs, the Commanders' offense becomes much easier to scheme against. Opponents are going to copy the Vic Fangio blueprint: take away the deep ball to McLaurin, keep a spy on Daniels, and force the secondary options to beat you.
Second, the Eagles are officially Super Bowl contenders. It’s not just hype anymore. Their defense is top-five in almost every meaningful category since the bye week. If Jalen Hurts can clean up the slow starts and let the game come to him, this team is going to be very hard to outscore in January.
Third, fantasy managers need to ride Saquon Barkley until the wheels fall off. He is the undisputed engine of that offense. On the flip side, be cautious with Washington players over the next few weeks as they navigate this mid-season slump and try to get their rookie QB back to full strength.
The Eagles won the game on the scoreboard, but the Commanders proved they belong in the conversation. The rematch in Week 16 is already circled on everyone's calendar. That game could very well decide who hosts a playoff game and who has to travel. For now, Philadelphia sits on the throne, thanks to a monster fourth quarter and a running back who looks like the MVP of the league.
Next Steps for Following the NFC East Race:
Monitor the injury reports for both teams heading into next week. Washington has a shorter turnaround mentally after this loss, while Philly has to maintain this high-level defensive intensity against non-divisional opponents. Check the "points against" stats for the Eagles over their last five games—it's the best indicator of why they are winning right now. If that number stays below 20, they aren't losing anytime soon. Keep an eye on the waiver wire for Commanders' secondary receivers like Luke McCaffrey or Noah Brown, as Daniels will likely have to lean on them more if McLaurin continues to see double-teams. Finally, watch the film on Zack Baun; his emergence as an elite linebacker is the biggest roster story in Philadelphia that nobody is talking about enough.