Commanders key numbers, Week 11: Washington falters late at the Eagles

After a nail-biting one-point loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the game against the Philadelphia Eagles was supposed to be a chance to prove that the Washington Commanders' early success was real. It didn't provide an answer, but the loss did bring up a bunch of new questions.

Is Jayden Daniels still hurt? Was the early season success a mirage? Does this defense have what it takes to hold up? Does this team have a WR2 that can step up? When will the drops stop? Has Kliff Kingsbury's offense been figured out?

After averaging 416 yards and 33.75 points during the four-game winning streak, the Commanders' averages have dropped to 345 yards per game and 25.5 points per game over the last six contests. Over the last two, that average drops to 253 yards per game.

During his best year with the Arizona Cardinals, Kingsbury's team started 7-0. During this time, the team averaged 402 yards per game and 32.14 points per game. The team would go on to lose six of their next 10 encounters, averaging 353.7 yards per game and 22.4 points per game. The team ended the season on a whimper with a dismal wildcard loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

We can't blame Kingsbury's offense completely as the defense melted down in the fourth quarter, but the unit wasn't doing the team any favors. Being gifted a decent field position after two missed Eagles' field goals, they could not capitalize. On the two drives following the missed kicks, the offense went three-and-out.

With 10 days before the match-up against a reeling Dallas Cowboys team that will be starting either Cooper Rush or Trey Lance under center, the Commanders have a lot to figure out. Let's get into the key numbers from the Thursday Night Football defeat at the Eagles.

Commanders' key numbers from Week 11 loss at the Eagles

1-3: The Commanders' record against winning teams is now 1-3. It would be 0-4 if it was not for the last-second Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears in Week 8.

10: After holding the Eagles' offense in check for the first half, the defense broke in the second. The defense gave up 10 big plays (passes of 15+ yards and runs of 10+ yards), eight of which came in the second half. The defense gave up passes of 15, 17, 21, 25, 31, and 43 yards and runs of 13, 14, 23, and 39 yards.

0: Terry McLaurin was targeted 0 times in the first half, only the second time in his career that has happened. He finished the game with just one reception for 10 receiving yards and it came with 10:33 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Commanders wide receiving group combined for a total of four catches for 28 yards. That's not going to win you many football games.

63.6: Welcome back, Brian Robinson Jr. Washington's running back duo continues to thrive, combining for 63.6 percent of the Commanders offense. Robinson had 63 rushing yards and a score while adding nine receiving yards. Austin Ekeler was the leading receiver with eight receptions for 89 yards.

20: After turning down what would have been a 43-yard field goal to potentially take the lead and going for it on fourth down, the Commanders' defense saw the Eagles score two touchdowns in 20 seconds. Saquon Barkley scored on a 23-yard run. After Jayden Daniels threw an interception, the backfield weapon scored again two plays later.

7: This game was nowhere near as close as it looked. The Eagles kicker missed two field goals, from 44 and 51 yards, and an extra point, which could have added 7 points to Philadelphia's total. The Commanders also got a garbage time score down by 16 late in the game.

Frankie Luvu also got his 7th sack of the season, tying his career high. He had a sack on 3rd-and-8, forcing a punt, and another on a trick play gone bad for the Eagles, resulting in a 13-yard loss.

59.5: It's clear that Daniels' rib injury is still affecting him. Before exiting the Carolina Panthers game with the complication, the quarterback was completing 75.6 percent of his passes and was on a historic pace. After his rib issue, the No. 2 pick has only completed 59.5% of his passes over the last four games.

His yards per rush have also dropped from 5.64 yards/carry pre-injury to 4.23 yards/carry post-injury, with 0 rushing touchdowns over the last four games. Daniels had four rushing touchdowns through the first four games of the season.

30.8: After the New York Giants game in Week 9, the Commanders had the fourth-best third-down conversion percentage at 45.87%. However, over the last two games, Washington has a 30.8% conversion percentage. The worst part is over that two-game span, the Commanders have allowed their opponents to convert on 50% of their third downs.

118: After holding Barkley to 56 rushing yards in the first half for a dismal 3.7 yards per carry average, it looked like the Commanders' defense would hold the Eagles running game in check. Then, the fourth quarter happened.

The Eagles had more rushing yards in the final period (118) than the other three quarters combined (110), with Barkley carrying it six times for 77 yards in the fourth. In fact, over the final quarter, the Eagles ran the ball 12 times to only two passes.

47: In his first game back in Philadelphia since his nine-year career with the Eagles came to a close, Zach Ertz finished as the Commanders' second-leading pass catcher. He had six catches for 47 receiving yards, the final touchdown, and a miraculous catch on the two-point conversion. Jahan Dotson, on the other hand, finished with the first catch of the game for eight yards, which was followed by a key drop on third down.

The Commanders are at home for four of their final six games, including three winnable contests against the Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, and New Orleans Saints, before their rematch with the Eagles. How will Dan Quinn and his team overcome their first losing streak of the season?

We'll find out next week at Northwest Stadium.

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