5 huge disappointments from the Commanders loss at Eagles in Week 4

Commanders gave up too many big plays

The Washington Commanders' defense went almost an entire half without giving up any back-breaking plays to a potent offense. Then, just before halftime, wide receiver DeVonta Smith made a miraculous juggling catch for 37 yards, setting up the Philadelphia Eagles for a field goal as the half expired.

That would be a harbinger of things to come in the second half when the Eagles added three more passing plays of more than 20 yards to take control of the game. All three were to A.J. Brown. Two resulted in touchdowns and the third set up another field goal.

Rookie cornerback Emmanuel Forbes was the primary victim during a torrid day for the No. 16 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. But, he is a rookie when push comes to shove.

For the game, Brown and Smith caught 16 balls for 253 receiving yards. That’s an average of almost 16 yards per catch. That obviously cannot continue. But I am not the least bit worried about Forbes or the rest of the secondary.

I assume they will learn from this experience and improve as the season goes on. Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste are playing at a fairly high level. Quan Martin is back on the field. And Forbes, despite getting beaten for several big plays by one of the league’s top receivers, looks to me like a young player who belongs on the field.

Disappointed, but not worried.