PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Washington Football Team last night at Lincoln Financial Field during a clash of NFC East rivals. Rescheduled from Sunday December 19th due to Covid, this game was big for both teams standing at 6-7 and eyeing a wild card playoff spot.
Washington turned on the heat early in the first quarter, despite being down several key players due to injuries and Covid-19 outbreak. Even though Washington found themselves without either of its top two quarterbacks, Taylor Heinicke or Kyle Allen, and was missing All-Pro guard Brandon Scherff, center Tyler Larsen, cornerback Kendall Fuller, and safety Kamren Curl. The team was still able to jump to a 10-point lead in the first quarter.
Signed only days prior from the Patriots practice squad, eight-year NFL backup-quarterback-turned-starter Garrett Gilbert was able to connect with running back Antonio Gibson for a touchdown and kicker Brian Johnson completed a field goal with 2:47 left in the first quarter.
The second quarter found Washington’s flame starting to flicker out as the Eagles began to flame up. Jake Elliott kicked a field goal halfway through the second quarter to put Philly on the board. Then the Eagles scored again with 1:29 left in the half when Jalen Hurts ran it in for a 1-yard touchdown on a drive that contained 11 plays, 77 yards and took 4:50 off the clock.
As the players left the field at the half, the score was tied at 10-10.
Coming back from halftime, the Eagles were hot out of the tunnel. They scored a touchdown on first drive and stayed on fire with their rushing attack the rest of the game. Philly fans were fired up and the energy in The Linc was smoking.
Washington was able to score another touchdown, but wasn’t enough to keep the Eagles from winning the game 27 to 17.
Now 7-7 with three weeks remaining in the season, it’s up to the Eagles to keep the fire burning in the playoff race as they are tied with the Vikings for final NFC wildcard spot.
Written by Deb Whitcas
