Quarterback Josh Johnson replaced Marcus Mariota in the opening minutes of the third quarter and eventual 29-18 loss vs. Philadelphia Eagles.
In another game that the Washington Commanders had to battle through injuries at the quarterback position, it was the Philadelphia Eagles who controlled the second half en route to a 29-18 finish in DC, moving the Commanders to 2-2 against the division this season.
With the loss, Washington moves to 4-11 on the season.
Washington opened on the right foot after cornerback Mike Sainristil forced a fumble on the opening kickoff, eventually setting up Jake Moody for a 20-yard field goal after the drive stalled at the Eagles’ two-yard line.
But after punting on the first possession, the Eagles’ offense found its grove with a seven-play drive capped off by Jalen Hurts finding WR DeVonta Smith for the game’s first touchdown, putting the Commanders in a 7-3 hole with three minutes left in the first quarter.
The Eagles threatened to extend its lead after a 12-play drive drove the offense just outside the redzone until the Commanders' defense stood tall, highlighted by an impressive chase down by Jordan Magee on DeVonta Smith for a tackle for loss. Two plays later, Jake Elliott's 43-yard field goal said left to maintain the four-point deficit and a chance for Washington to capitalize of the swing in momentum.
And that they did as quarterback Marcus Mariota connected with Terry McLaurin for a 40-yard reception taken down outside of the redone before RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown and sixth of the season, pushing Washington back ahead, 10-7.
Philadelphia wasn't able to capitalize on the final possession of the half after Jake Elliott missed his third field goal of the day, cementing the Commanders' lead at halftime.
But the quarterback depth would take another hit on the opening possession of the second half after Mariota went into the medical tent then locker room with a concussion, vaulting Josh Johnson in at quarterback despite being cleared to return and ruled questionable to return with a right hand injury.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, capped off a 17-play drive spanning over ten minutes with Hurts connecting with tight end Dallas Goedert for a 15-yard touchdown, ending a drive that nearly stalled at the Commanders' one-yard line.
Washington's ensuing possession ended after a poor decision by Johnson gave Eagles' defensive back Cooper DeJean with an easy interception that Philadelphia turned into a touchdown, pushing the deficit to 21-10, thanks to Saquon Barkley bouncing off the Commanders' defenders and their poor tackling inside the redzone to open the fourth quarter.
Down 21-10 with less than seven minutes left and the offense at midfield, head coach Dan Quinn made the surprising decision to punt with the game still in reach, but Saquon Barkley would change the answer to that equation seconds later after a 48-yard run set the Eagles up outside of the redzone before running back Tank Bigsby punched in a 22-yard touchdown, making it 29-10 with less than five minutes remaining.
With now two games left on the 2025 regular season schedule, Washington will now host the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 for a 1 PM kickoff on Netflix.