The Eagles had their worst first half of the season and trailed the Commanders 20-14 after 30 minutes of action at Lincoln Financial Field.
Using an old-school ball control approach, Washington dominated time of possession in the first half and used a 75% conversion rate on third down to capture a lead while frustrating the NFL’s only undefeated team.
Philadelphia was already without Jordan Davis up front, and the secondary seemed disrupted by the absence of slot cornerback Avonte Maddox.
Here are several takeaways and observations from the first half.
Commanders running the ball with confidence
Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson were a concern this week, and both running back were positives in the first half for Washington.
Robinson had 16 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown in the first half, while Gibson contributed eight carries for 23 yards and a touchdown of his own.
Robinson Jr. was physical at the point of attack, and the Commanders continued feeding him in the first half.
Time of possession
If you want to beat the Eagles, you must stop their offense; the Washington offense did its part.
The Commanders ran a league-high 51 plays in the first half and dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 23:49, compared to the Eagles’ season-low 6:11 of possession.
Commanders efficient
Washington has 18 first downs compared to Philadelphia’s nine first downs in the first half.
The Commanders were 9-12 on third downs and converted their only fourth down attempt while racking up 235 total yards of offense.
Eagles offense weapons quiet
It is hard to get freaky when you only have the football for a little over six minutes.
Jalen Hurts was 9-15 passing in the first half for 77 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Washington has held Miles Sanders to one rushing attempt for six yards, while DeVonta Smith leads the Eagles with four receptions for 38 yards.
A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert have been held to one catch each for less than ten total yards.
McLaurin feastin
The Commanders veteran receiver leads all pass catchers with six receptions for 76 yards on eight targets.
