The Washington Commanders picked up the best win of the Ron Rivera era, thoroughly outplaying the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on Philly’s home field and in primetime. They put themselves right back into playoff contention with the win, as they sit 0.5 games back of the 5-4 San Francisco 49ers.
From top to bottom, that was a complete team win for Washington. With their backs against the wall, they were at their best. After snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against the Vikings, the Commanders left no doubt this week. They were the better team, and it was not close.
Washington still has work to do, but they have proven they are capable of beating anyone in the last two weeks. Their defense is legit, Taylor Heinicke has pure magic sometimes, and the roster has legit talent all over.
The Commanders ride a narrow line. They can beat anyone, but also can lose to anyone. Here are three takeaways from the Commanders’ exhilarating win over their division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
Three Takeaways from the Commanders’ thrilling win over Eagles
1. The Commanders out-coached the Eagles
Ron Rivera’s coaching staff can get a lot of flack for poor decisions. Rightfully so. Rivera can struggle with in-game management situations, and calling his timeouts at inopportune times. However, tonight that was not the case. Rivera and his coaching staff out-coached Nick Sirianni and his staff.
The offensive coaching staff knew Washington was playing at a disadvantage with regard to the passing game. They knew dropping Heinicke back over 35 times a game into seven-step drops with five-man protections (like they did with Carson Wentz in Week 3) wouldn’t work. Instead, they pounded the rock.
They weren’t incredibly efficient, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, but Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson were able to grind things out due to the absence of Jordan Davis. It wore out Philly and it set the tone for the entire game.
The Commanders were incredibly efficient across the board on offense, as they stayed ahead of the chains. Washington had six third-and-1s, which helped them control the tempo of the game all night.
The defensive staff was opportunistic. The Eagles averaged 5.6 yards per play, so the Commanders weren’t necessarily efficient. Still, they forced four turnovers and cranked up the pressure on Jalen Hurts when it mattered the most.
Jack Del Rio has molded the defensive unit into a near-elite unit.
2. The Commanders have momentum
Since falling to the Tennessee Titans 21-17, the Commanders have rattled off four wins in five games. The one loss was to the Minnesota Vikings, who just beat the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo to move to 8-1. The Titans are 6-3 and just took the Chiefs to overtime.
The Commanders are playing really well. They have to ride a thin line to win football games because their offense is incredibly inconsistent, but they are executing at a high level. The defense is close to a top-ten unit, if it isn’t already.
Heinicke isn’t great, but he plays with a ton of heart, and his team rallies around him. The re-insertion of Jahan Dotson back into the lineup will only make the Commanders’ weapons more dangerous. They could get JD McKissic back soon, too.
The Commanders are getting healthy at the right time. They are expected to get star pass-rusher Chase Young back this week against the Houston Texans.
The Burgundy & Gold is heating up at the right time. They are 5-5, a half-a-game back of the wildcard in the middle of November. They are in the thick of the playoff race once again. Everyone from the coaching staff down deserves a ton of credit.
To go from being dead in the water and playing in a nationally mocked Thursday Night Football game to taking down the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles to cement their spot in the hunt for a playoff spot is an admirable accomplishment.
The job is not finished by any means, but the Commanders are proving they may flat-out be a good football team backed by an elite defense.
3. Have a night Joey Slye
Usually, the special teams for Washington are headlined by Tress Way. Not today. Slye was 4-for-4 on field goals, perfect on his extra points, and knocked two field goals in from 55-yards plus. He hit a 58-yard field goal going into halftime, which may have been good from 70.
Without Slye, the Commanders’ chances of pulling off the upset diminish. He was automatic all night and was an absolute weapon for the squad. A few missed kicks earlier this year brought some criticism his way but he silenced those.
Quietly, the Commanders’ special teams have rounded into form. Tress Way is punting at a Pro Bowl level, the coverage unit is playing at a high level, and Slye can boot it from 60 yards out. Even Gibson has provided value as a kick returner, and Dax Milne has produced solid returns on punts as well.
This may seem trivial in nature, but special teams are incredibly important, especially for a team that operates with thin margins for error like the Commanders do.
Your Washington Commanders are 5-5, in the thick of the playoff hunt, and playing the best football of the Ron Rivera era. The margins are small, sure, but it was good enough to defeat their undefeated division rivals.
The NFC East is playing like it’s the 1980s again. Last night was a huge win. Enjoy it, Commanders fans.
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