Game Recap: Washington goes down to the Eagles
December 22, 2025
by Steve Thomas
Washington dropped their 11th game of the season to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday by a score of 29 – 18. This was an up and down affair, with Washington actually leading at halftime, but poor play and decisions, along with injuries, eventually took their toll and allowed the reigning Super Bowl champs to get the victory and win their second straight NFC East title.
The game started out in great fashion, with Washington corner Mike Sainristil causing an Eagles fumble on the opening kickoff that was recovered by Cain Medrano. Washington was then able to turn that gift into a field goal courtesy of an 8 play, 24 yard drive that featured four runs by Chris Rodriguez Jr. The drive stalled out at the Eagles goal line and kicker Jake Moody converted a 20 yard field goal. The Eagles and Washington exchanged punts for the next two drives before Philadelphia was able to put together a 63 yard, 7 play touchdown drive to make the score 7 – 3 at the end of the quarter.
Washington began the second quarter with its second straight punt following a 3 and out drive. The Eagles responded with a long 12 play, 65 yard drive; however, Eagles kicker Jake Elliott missed a 43 yard field goal. Washington immediately responded, courtesy of Terry McLaurin’s best play of the game on a contested deep sideline catch for 40 yards. Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt eventually got a 1-yard touchdown to give Washington a 10 – 7 lead. The Eagles then repeated history, with another 11 play, 47 yard drive that ended in two more missed field goals by Elliott, the first at 57 yards that was taken by a Washington penalty and then the second chance kick at 52 yards. The half ended with Washington up 10 – 7.
At the half, quarterback Marcus Mariota was 6 for 10 for 71 yards. Croskey-Merritt had 8 carries for 25 yards, for an average of 3.1 yards per carry, and 1 touchdown, and Rodriguez had 6 carries for 25 yards, for an average of 4.2 yards per carry. McLaurin was the leading receiver with 3 receptions for 53 yards.
Washington took the second half kickoff, but punted in 4 plays after an initial 24 yard completion by Mariota to Treylon Burks. Philadelphia then put together their best drive of the game, going 83 yards in 17 plays to get a touchdown on a 15 yard pass by Jalen Hurts to Dallas Goedert and committing two straight penalties from Washington’s one yard line. However, at this point, Marcus Mariota did not come out for Washington’s next drive due to a hand injury and a possible concussion, leaving third string quarterback Josh Johnson to play the remainder of the game. Johnson threw an interception on the next drive, on a terrible pass intended for Burks. The third quarter ended with the Eagles in the lead by a score of 14 – 10.
The fourth quarter turned Philadelphia’s way in significant fashion. The Eagles were able to earn their third touchdown of the day in a 7 play, 37-yard drive born from the interception that was capped off by a 12-yard touchdown run by Saquon Barkley. The two teams traded punts for the next three drives, with Washington having two three and out drives and the Eagles one. At that point, Philadelphia got their fourth touchdown of the day thanks to a four play drive that featured a 48 yard run by Barkley and a 22 yard touchdown run by Tank Bigsby. The Eagles then successfully made their two-point conversion to put the score at 29 – 10. Washington then got a another garbage-time touchdown in an 8 play drive that featured a defensive pass interference call on the Eagles three yard line and a subsequent 3 yard touchdown run by Chris Rodriguez. However, Washington’s onside kick attempt failed and Philadelphia ran out the clock to get a 29 – 18 victory.
Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota went 7 for 14 for 95 yards and quarterback rating of 72.0 before leaving the game in the third quarter. As his replacement, Josh Johnson was 5 for 9 for 43 yards and 1 interception for a quarterback rating of 28.0. Rodriguez was the leading rusher, with 15 carries for 63 yards, for an average of 4.2 yards per carry, and 1 touchdown. McLaurin didn’t get a reception in the second half but was still Washington’s leading receiver with 3 receptions for 53 yards. On defense, star linebacker Bobby Wagner lead the team with 10 tackles. For the Eagles, Jalen Hurts was 22 for 30 for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns, for a quarterback rating of 111.1. Barkley was the leading rusher in the game, with 21 carries for 132 yards, for an average of 6.3 yards per carry, and 1 touchdown. A.J. Brown was the leading receiver in the game with 6 receptions for 95 yards.
Washington next faces the Dallas Cowboys in Dallas on Christmas Day.