“When They Last Met” is an ongoing series during NFL seasons, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on Washington’s schedule.
Philadelphia 27, Washington 17 – Week 15, December 21, 2021
Washington jumped to an early ten-point lead; however, Philadelphia stormed back with 20 consecutive points, defeating Washington 27-17 at Lincoln Financial Field in a Tuesday night game.
Because of a COVID outbreak on the WFT, they were without the services of several starters, including their top-two quarterbacks and seven coaches.
Landon Collins intercepted a Jalen Hurts pass at the Philadelphia 26, on the Eagles’ first series, leading to an Antonio Gibson touchdown.
The Eagles drove to the WFT 16-yard line when Montez Sweat hit Hurts in the pocket, causing a fumble which was recovered by Collins and returned 23 yards to the Washington 47.
QB Garrett Gilbert (signed only four days earlier from the Patriots practice squad) was forced into the start. Gilbert found Terry McLaurin for 46 yards to the Eagles’ 7-yard line, but Washington could not punch it in, setting for a Brian Johnson 22-yard field goal.
But from this moment, the Eagles moved the ball up and down the field all game. A Jake Elliott 20-yard field goal and one-yard Hurts touchdown tied the game at 10-10 at the half.
The third quarter was frankly ugly as Washington moved a step slower than the Eagles, who drove on their first third-quarter possession to the one, where Hurts again scored. When Elliott kicked a field goal from 37 yards, the Eagles led 20-10 through three quarters.
Gilbert found Ricky Seals-Jones for 12 yards, then John Bates for 29 yards, setting up Jarret Patterson’s one-yard plunge to draw the WFT to within 20-17 with 11:44 remaining.
However, the Eagles slammed the door shut with their 80-yard, eight-play drive culminating in Hurts’ 19-yard touchdown pass to Greg Ward.
The Washington defense struggled most of the night, yielding 238 rushing yards on 41 carries (5.8 ypc). Miles Sanders led all rushers with 131 yards in only 18 attempts, for an impressive 7.3 yards per carry.
Hurts was 20-26 passing for 296 yards, a monumental 11.4 yards per attempt. Dallas Goedert and Jalen Reagor both had big nights as Goedert caught seven passes for 135 yards and Reagor gained 57 yards, needing only three receptions.
The Eagles out-gained Washington 519-237, maintaining possession for 35:17 compared to Washington’s 24:43.
Gilbert finished his night 20-31, 194 yards, while the Washington running game was nonexistent, as Gibson was limited to 26 yards in 15 carries. Gibson did catch six passes for 39 yards while Seals-Jones had four receptions for 29 yards.