How did the Commanders collapse like they did against the Eagles?
Washington entered the final quarter up 10-6 but was thoroughly outplayed in the final 15 minutes. The Eagles scored 20 consecutive points for a 26-10 clinching lead before Washington scored on their last possession, making the final margin 26-18.
However, did you realize the Eagles actually scored on five consecutive possessions? The problem was not merely the final quarter.
Some background reminds us that the Commanders led 7-0 and could have gone into the locker room up by seven. This is where the game changed, not the failed 4th & 2 in the final quarter.
When the Commanders could have made a statement, the Eagles rose up and drove 87 yards in 15 plays, settling for a field goal to close the half, down only 7-3.
On their first possession of the second half, the Eagles drove 74 yards before again settling for another Jake Elliott field goal, making it 10-6. After a Tress Way punt, it was another long drive, this one 76 yards in 11 plays, which gave the Eagles the lead for good at 12-10.
When the Commanders turned the ball over on downs, the Eagles exploded down the field 74 yards in only five plays for a 19-10 lead. At this point, the Commanders’ defense was absolutely gassed, worn down, and beaten up.
Following Jayden Daniels’s interception, the Eagles only needed two plays to go another 46 yards for their 26-10 lead.
So there it is: dating back to the second quarter, the Eagles drove 87, 74, 76, 74, and 46 yards in five consecutive possessions.
So, Commanders fans can stop talking about the fourth-quarter collapse. The Eagles manhandled the Commanders’ defense on five consecutive possessions, dominating them.
No wonder Dan Quinn decided to go for it on 4th-and-2. He could see what was going down and knew it was not good for the Commanders.
