Philadelphia Eagles defeat Washington Football Team 20-16

January 2, 2022

By Noonefromtampa

First Quarter

Philadelphia won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. Washington started on offense with what was probably their best opening drive of the entire season. After two short runs by Jaret Patterson, Taylor Heinicke hit Cam Sims for 16 yards on third down. Heinicke came right back and hit Adam Humphries for 10 yards on the next play. The big play of the drive was a 24 yard catch by John Bates on a deep out route. Patterson then scored a touchdown on an 11 yard run behind Saahdiq Charles.

The Eagles were able to move the ball down the field on their first drive. After stopping the first running play for no gain, Jalen Hurts hit DeVonta Smith for 30 yards. However, after two running plays picked up another first down, the Washington defense forced a turnover on downs, stopping the Eagles on 4^th and two with a key stop by Matt Ioannidis and Jonathan Allen.

Washington’s offense went back to work on their second drive, resulting in another scoring drive. After two runs by Patterson and DeAndre Carter resulted in a third and one, Heinicke hit Ricky Seals-Jones for 8 yards and a first down. Heinicke then completed a pass to Dyami Brown for 25 yards on a skinny post pattern. Terry McLaurin caught his first pass for 12 yards. Heinicke then made an ill-advised throw which was intercepted; however, the Eagles were called for illegal contact, negating that play.  The Washington drive fizzled out at that point. Joey Slye converted the 31 yard field goal.

Philadelphia next drive started with some short runs, a 12 yard pass to Smith, and 14 yard pass to Dallas Goedert.

Washington 10, Philadelphia 0

Second Quarter

Hurts then hit Boston Scott for 19 yards and Goedert for 18 yards to make it first and goal. Washington was able to stop the Eagles on their first three plays, but on fourth and goal, the Eagles offensive line was able to push Washington defense off the line to allow Scott to score a 2 yard touchdown run.

On their next possession, Washington continued to move the ball against the Eagles defense. The drive opened with 12 yard pass to McLaurin. Wendell Smallwood picked up first down with a 4 yard run on third and three. Heinicke hit running backs Patterson for 12 yards and Jonathan Williams for 11 yards. Washington was able to pick up one more first down on Patterson run before the drive stalled out. On first down, Heinicke was sacked and they failed to convert on third down. Seals-Jones was injured colliding with a FOX camera operator on the sideline. Slye hit the 39 yard field to add three points to Washington’s score.

On the Eagles next drive, Washington was able to put them in a third and eight, but Hurts eluded the pass rush and scrambled for 22 yards. It appeared that there was a false start on the play but it was not called. Washington’s defense was able to contain Hurts after that, sacking him on third down, forcing a punt.

Washington got the ball back on their own six yard line just before the two-minute warning. They were able to drive 56 yards for Slye to kick a 55 yard field goal just before halftime. The drive featured running by Patterson and Smallwood with key catches by Sims for 18 yards and McLaurin for 8 yards.

Washington 16, Philadelphia 7

Third Quarter

Philadelphia started on offense and drove the ball down the field. Hurts hit passes of 8 yards and 13 yards to Goedert, 18 yards to Scott with runs by Scott and Jordan Howard. After a false start penalty made it third a fourteen, Hurts was able to scramble and hit Greg Ward for 27 yards to make it first and goal. After stopping the Eagles on their first three plays, Scott took a pitchout from Hurts to score the touchdown.

Washington went three and out on their next series, including a sack for a 9 yard loss by Josh Sweat. Ryan Winslow had his first punt of the game go 38 yards with a fair catch by Jalen Reagor.

Scott opened the next drive for Philadelphia with a 14 yard run. The Eagles then attempted three straight passes which were all incomplete.  Philadelphia was forced to punt, which was fair caught by Carter.

Washington started in a hole after a false start on their own 9 yard line. Heinicke was able get the ball to McLaurin for 11 yards, and then Patterson picked up the first with a 4 yard run.  Heinicke ran up the middle for 10 yards and another first down. The wheels then came off the bus with a 13 yard sack on third down, forcing a punt.

Washington 16, Philadelphia 14

Fourth Quarter

The Eagles were able to overcome a first down offensive holding call and convert the first down. Hurts hit Goedert for a 13 yard completion and Quez Watkins for 10 yards. The drive stalled out at that point and Jake Elliot hit a 42 yard field goal to give the Eagles their first lead of the game.

Washington was able to move the ball out to midfield behind running from Patterson and Williams and a 12 yard defensive pass interference call on Avonte Maddox. After a horrible screen play that lost 4 yards, Washington gained 10 yards to make it fourth and four. Coach Ron Rivera elected to go for it but Maddox broke up the pass play to Dax Milne.

The Eagles put their league-leading rushing attack to work on the next drive. They ran eight straight times for 28 yards. They attempted their only pass on third and five, but a rush by Jamin Davis forced an early throw which fell incomplete to the turf. Elliott converted the 41 yard field goal attempt.

Washington got the ball back with just over two minutes to go in the game. The drive started with a couple of incompletions before Heinicke hit Bates for 10 yards to pick up the first down. Patterson caught two passes for 14 yards and then Sims caught a 12 yard completion. After another incompletion, Heinicke hit Patterson twice more for 15 yards. At this point, Washington had the ball at the Philadelphia 20 yard line. However, Disaster struck when Bates fell down on a vertical seam route and what was a possible touchdown pass became an interception by Rodney McLeod. The Eagles ran out the clock to end the game.

Philadelphia 20, Washington 16

Heroes

The first half Taylor Heinicke and Washington’s offense.

Joey Slye for a 55 yard field, when was the last time this team had a clutch long-distance field goal?

Zeroes

The second half Taylor Heinicke and Washington’s offense.

Jack Del Rio for not coming up with some adjustments to stop the running attack of the Eagles.