Did resting the starters just cost the reigning Super Bowl champs a crucial home playoff game?
In a Week 18 matchup where Philadelphia rested most of its key players, the Washington Commanders pulled off a gritty 24-17 upset at Lincoln Financial Field, ending their disappointing season on a high note while denying the Eagles a shot at the NFC’s No. 2 seed.
Score Summary
The game saw multiple lead changes, with Washington capitalizing on Philadelphia’s backup-heavy lineup:
1st Quarter: Eagles 7, Commanders 0 – Tanner McKee connected with Grant Calcaterra for a touchdown.
2nd Quarter: Commanders 10, Eagles 3 – Jake Moody’s field goal and additional scoring flipped the halftime lead.
3rd Quarter: Eagles 7, Commanders 0 – Tank Bigsby’s 2-yard TD run (set up by Jalyx Hunt’s fumble recovery) put Philly ahead 17-10.
4th Quarter: Commanders 14, Eagles 0 – Josh Johnson found John Bates for a TD to tie it at 17-17, followed by Chris Rodriguez Jr.’s go-ahead score and a late field goal to seal the 24-17 final.
Turning Points
Early Backup Struggles: McKee’s solid start gave Philly an edge, but red-zone inefficiencies (settling for field goals or turnovers) kept Washington in it.
Fumble and Interception Gifts: Jalyx Hunt’s plays (fumble recovery and INT) fueled Eagles scores, but Philadelphia couldn’t convert enough.
Defensive Pass Interference Calls: Multiple DPI penalties on Philly extended Washington drives, including one setting up the tying TD.
Late Rally: Johnson’s mishandled snap led to a Bigsby TD for Philly, but the Commanders responded with back-to-back scoring drives, including Rodriguez’s touchdown from the 1-yard line.
Failed Final Drive: McKee’s incomplete pass on fourth down with under 2 minutes left sealed the upset.
Standout Performances
Josh Johnson (Commanders QB): Veteran backup orchestrated the comeback, hitting key passes including the tying TD to John Bates.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (Commanders RB): Powerful runs, including the game-winning TD plunge.
Jeremy Reaves (Commanders S): Interception off McKee and strong coverage.
Jalyx Hunt (Eagles LB): Standout with an interception, fumble recovery, and constant disruption.
Tank Bigsby (Eagles RB): 92 scrimmage yards and a TD, providing spark for the reserves.
Tanner McKee (Eagles QB): 21/40 for 241 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; showed promise but struggled late.
DeVonta Smith (Eagles WR): Reached 1,000+ receiving yards on the season with key grabs.
Playoff Implications
The Commanders (5-12) were long eliminated but played spoiler, ending a tough season with pride and positioning themselves for a top-10 draft pick to address needs at quarterback and elsewhere.
For the Eagles (11-6), the decision to rest Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and other starters backfired as the loss—combined with Chicago’s result—locked them into the No. 3 seed. Philadelphia will host the No. 6 San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round, facing a tougher path without the potential divisional-round home game that a No. 2 seed would have provided. The reigning champs now prepare for a rematch with a motivated 49ers squad eyeing an upset.
