Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) hands off to running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
The Eagles have won six games in a row since the bye week, and improved to 8-2 on the season with a 26-18 win over the division-rival Washington Commanders Thursday.
Even if it hasn't always felt like it, the Eagles are very much in control of the NFC East. Heck, they are the chief competition to the 8-1 Detroit Lions for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. It's hard to say right now that Nick Sirianni's squad isn't a Super Bowl contender.
Following another victory, here's five takeaways on the Eagles.
For the fourth time in his career, Barkley has rushed for 1,000 yards in a season. That he's topped that mark in Week 11 gives you an indication of why he's a frontrunner for Offensive Player of the Year, and should probably at least be in the MVP discussion.
Thursday was a case of the more times you get the ball in Barkley's hands, the better odds you have he'll change the game. Barkley was held in check, at least relatively, for most of the night. Until he wasn't.
He had a 43-yard reception in the third quarter, a significant chunk of which came after the catch. His 23-yard touchdown rush in the fourth quarter gave the Eagles' a two-possession lead:
Reminder: Saquon Barkley is an Eagle 🥹
pic.twitter.com/UvgYk9xRkB
For good measure, he really put the game on ice with a 39-yard touchdown rush on the next drive:
Saquon Barkley appreciation tweet 🙏
pic.twitter.com/iWJgrtRhDb
Barkley finished the night with 198 all-purpose yards and the two touchdowns.
As we wrote earlier this month, the contract that the Eagles signed Barkley to is highway robbery for the team.
Speaking of players in the MVP discussion, Daniels was at the beginning of the night. He's the overwhelming favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year. But in the first of what's likely to be countless matchups against the Eagles, Daniels looked mortal.
Some of this might be water finding its level, as the Commanders have collectively outperformed the talent level on their roster for much of the season.
With that said, Terry McLaurin — despite a musical chairs situation at quarterback for much of his career — has been a Pro Bowl level wideout for a long time. The 29-year-old didn't make his first catch of the game until 10:25 left in the fourth quarter. It was largely a credit to the coverage of Quinyon Mitchell, who whether he wins Defensive Rookie of the Year or not, looks like an stalwart after being selected 22nd overall in April:
Jayden Daniels throwing the ball tonight.
What a day for Vic Fangio and the Eagles' defense. Quinyon Mitchell erased Terry McLaurin. Downfield windows were non-existent. Couple big catch-and-runs from the backs but otherwise a stifling performance. pic.twitter.com/fciubA7BNZ
Jalen Carter also continues to show signs of developing into a superstar on the defensive line. He had seven tackles Thursday, four of which were solo and one of which was for a loss.
The first six points of the night for the Eagles came from the right leg of Jake Elliott. However, those were Elliott's third and fourth attempts of the game, hitting a 21-yarder late in the second quarter and a 31-yard field goal midway through the third quarter.
An 11-play, 44-yard drive by the Eagles to open the game ended without any points when Elliott pulled a 44-yard attempt to the left.
Three drives later, Elliott again missed a kick wide left, this one of the 51-yard variety.
It was a very rare disappointing night for Elliott, but part of what's been an uncharacteristically poor season, as noted by Jeff Kerr of CBS:
How rare is it Jake Elliott misses 2 FGs?
Elliott hasn't missed 2 in a game since 2019.
Elliott is 0-for-4 on 50+ yard FGs this season.#Eagles
He also pulled the extra-point attempt wide left after the Eagles scored their first touchdown of the game on a fourth-quarter Jalen Hurts tush push, keeping the Eagles from going up by three points.
Elliott maybe isn't as good as Brandon Aubrey now, or hasn't been mentioned in the same breath as Justin Tucker for much of his career. But he's pretty consistently been one of the better kickers in the NFL, including a year ago when he was a Second-Team All-Pro. He's still only 29 years old, so this isn't someone you worry is just hitting a wall, as the aforementioned 34-year-old Tucker may be. But the Eagles need him to get back on track.
A year ago, it looked like the Eagles were on their way to winning the NFC East for the second consecutive season, which would have marked the first time any team won the division in back-to-back years in nearly 20 years.
Of course, you know by now that the Eagles collapsed after starting 10-1, finishing 11-6 and having to settle for a Wild Card berth while the Dallas Cowboys won the NFC East.
A year later, it appears all but certain that the streak — which seems to be mentioned on every national broadcast involving an NFC East team — will love on another year. Never say never, but the 3-6 Cowboys, who are without Dak Prescott for the rest of the year, don't seem likely to win the division this year.
After tonight's game, the Eagles find themselves in control of the NFC East. But whether it's the Eagles or Commanders, it won't be a repeat winner in the NFC East yet again. The last team to repeat as division champions are Andy Reid's Eagles, who won four in a row from 2001-2004.
The Eagles will have a second consecutive primetime game, as they'll travel to SoFi Stadium to face Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football in Week 12.
