Game Recap – Washington at Eagles
January 4, 2021
By Noonefromtampa
Final Score: WFT 20, Eagles 14
Game Summary
First Quarter
Washington won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Eagles opened with a five play drive that mainly consisted of a 15 yard unnecessary roughing the quarterback penalty on Cole Holcomb against Jalen Hurts on a designed run. The Eagles were forced to punt and Steven Sims fair caught the ball at the WFT nine yard line. Washington then drove 86 yards in 15 plays aided by a 5 yard encroachment penalty to score their first points on an opening drive in a game this season. The drive was a nice mixture of runs and passes: JD McKissic had a 10 yard reception; Steven Sims picked up 18 yards on a jet sweep; Logan Thomas has 18 yards on a screen pass, Cam Sims caught a 16 yard slant; and Terry McLaurin caught the 5 yard touchdown pass. On the next series, Hurts threw an interception to Kamren Curl on a short in to Zach Ertz. Washington was unable to convert a first down, so Dustin Hopkins kicked a 42 yard field for a 10-0 lead.
Score: WFT 10, Eagles 0
Second Quarter
In a drive that started in the first quarter, the Eagles went 75 yards in 10 plays , enhanced by several penalties that extended the drive with first downs. The two longest plays of the drive were a 21 yard pass interference penalty against Kendall Fuller and a 15 yard pass to Travis Fulgham. There were also two defensive holding calls that also gave the Eagles first downs. Hurt finished the drive with a 6 yard touchdown run. WFT was able to pick up 11 yards on the first play of the next series on a nice run by Antonio Gibson, but was then forced to punt after getting stopped. Tress Way punted 45 yards, but the Eagles got a 15 yard return by Greg Ward. The Eagles were able to drive the ball down the field with a 15 yard pass to Jalen Reagor and a 30 yard completion to J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. Then Hurts made his second 6 yard touchdown run. The teams then traded three and out series. After a 20 yard punt return by Steve Sims, Alex Smith drove the offense down the field 55 yards in 9 plays, throwing a 13 yard touchdown to Thomas. The other big play on the drive was a 15 yard completion to Cam Sims.
Score: WFT 17, Eagles 14
Third Quarter
Washington opened the second half with a three and out, thanks to the 3rd sack of the mobility-limited Smith. The WFT defense held strong on the Eagles opening drive, also forcing a three and out. Washington went three and out again after the Eagles punt. The Eagles were able to gain 36 yards on their next series, most of it on a 20 yard Boston Scott run, before being forced to punt. Disaster struck on the next series when McKissic juggled a checkdown pass and the ball was intercepted by Marcus Epps at the Washington 20 yard line. The Eagles moved the ball 16 yards down to the WFT 4 yard line, but on 4th and goal, Doug Pederson elected to go for a touchdown instead of kicking a game tying field goal. Washington was able to move the ball 27 yards before punting.
Score: WFT 17, Eagles 14
Fourth Quarter
In an unexpected move, Nate Sudfeld replaced Hurts at quarterback for Philadelphia. He was nearly sacked for a safety on the first play and threw an interception to Jeremy Reaves on the third play. Smith returned the favor with another interception T.J Edwards when Thomas fell down on his cut. On the Eagles next series, a poor shotgun snap led to a fumble which was recovered by Chase Young who returned it 11 yards. A holding penalty on the first play backed up Washington and they were not able to make a first down. Hopkins kicked another field goal of 42 yards to extend the lead to 20-14. The Eagles were able to pick up a first down on their next series before two sacks by Montez Sweat and Jon Bostic cost them 16 yards, forcing a punt. Steven Sims bobbled the punt but recovered it. Washington was able to move the ball out to midfield where they ended up with 4th and inches at the two-minute warning. Smith was able to draw the Eagles offside with a hard count giving WFT a first down and the ability to run more time off the clock. The Eagles got the ball back with just under a minute to go, but only moved the ball 23 yards before time expired giving Washington the win and the NFC East Division title.
Score: WFT 20, Eagles 14
The Numbers
Points off turnovers: Eagles 0, WFT 6
Turnovers: Eagles 3, WFT 2
Sacks: Eagles 3, WFT 3
Key Injuries
JD McKissic (leg) – returned to game
Jalen Reagor (head) – did not return
Heroes and Goats
Alex Smith, playing on one leg – Hero
Chase Young, willing the team to victory – Hero
NFC East Champs – Heroes all