- 5 months ago
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Fox Sports welcomes you to the following presentation of the National Football League.
00:14Well, it's been two decades since somebody has won the NFC East back-to-back seasons,
00:18but the Eagles, even with the rough few weeks they had recently with a win tonight,
00:23would clinch back-to-back titles over the Cowboys' loss tomorrow against the Chargers.
00:27They want to take care of business tonight, though.
00:30Here in Washington, down to Pam Oliver.
00:33Yeah, Joe, the Eagles will tell you they are not about to fall into a trap
00:37of underestimating the Washington Commanders.
00:40It's a team that's faced a lot of hardship this season,
00:42but they are a division foe, and they have things to prove to.
00:46Had Coach Nick Sirianni telling us that I believe the tape, that he respects the tape.
00:52I see fundamentals, I see effort, I see good coaching.
00:56Dan Quinn gets his team ready to play.
00:59Saquon Barkley expects the Commanders to come out fired up.
01:03Barkley told us, we've got to weather the storm.
01:05They're going to come out with energy.
01:07They're going to come out swinging.
01:09We've got to finish them off today.
01:12Joe.
01:12All right, Pam Oliver, the Hall of Famer, and Spanish-language broadcasts available on Fox
01:18DePortes.
01:19Washington won the toss, deferred with the second half.
01:21The Eagles will get it to begin.
01:24After ending their three-game losing streak last week against Las Vegas,
01:27now trying to win the division.
01:29Commanders ended a losing streak of the run.
01:31They snapped an eight-game steal with a win over the Giants.
01:35And try to play spoiler on this Saturday night.
01:39180th meeting between Washington and Philadelphia.
01:43Off we go from Landover.
01:46Will Shipley from the sixth.
01:48And the Eagles have the ball pop out.
01:53It's on the sideline.
01:54And Washington saying that they've got it, and they do.
01:58Oh, something that has been sorely missed this year.
02:02Very few takeaways.
02:05On the opening kickoff.
02:08They think they've caught one.
02:10No, no, you're going to have to dig it out to figure that out for sure.
02:13So, they're only eight takeaways on the entire season.
02:18That's second to last.
02:19So, from the big storylines, we talked to Dan Quinn.
02:22How do they get more possessions for their offense?
02:25And I'm not sure he dreamed up this start.
02:27One of the big reasons they got crushed in the championship game last year
02:31is that they lost the turnover margin 4-0.
02:34Mike Samra still, as he's taken Shipley to the ground,
02:38punches the ball out.
02:40And then, granted, you've got a very biased group of people
02:46that are standing by him in the sideline season.
02:48Here we go, the final is Washington football.
02:50And there it is.
02:51It's confirmed that it's Washington football.
02:56I mean, you knew they had to have something like this happen
02:58over the course of the game,
03:00but how about in the opening kickoff
03:01as they're trying to pull off this upset?
03:05Unbelievable.
03:06I mean, Samra still, defensive back.
03:08Second year, he's having a good season.
03:12Moved him to outside corner due to some injuries.
03:15And, man, he makes his presence felt here right off the jump.
03:19And it was Kane Medrano that jumped on top of them.
03:23Commanders, one of the worst first-quarter teams in the NFL.
03:26They only have one first-drive touchdown all year.
03:30But we'll begin at the 26.
03:32Marcus Mariota hands it off to Chris Rodriguez.
03:40Rodriguez gets three.
03:41And they made it official this week
03:42that Jaden Daniels is being shut down for the rest of the year.
03:45And so Mariota gets another start.
03:47And there has not been much of a drop-off
03:49when Daniels has been out and Mariota's been in.
03:51Yeah, very similar production.
03:54They're going to get a little more of a rhythm passing game.
03:56Mariota's going to throw to his first read.
03:58A little bit more than Jaden Daniels would.
04:01Jaden Daniels, he liked holding on to the ball,
04:02working through his progression.
04:04Of course, a great scrambler.
04:05So something Cliff Kingsbury's going to continue to rely on here
04:08in the passing game, getting the ball out on time.
04:117-7, first throw.
04:13And Terry McLaurin, who's thrown down by Adairie Jackson.
04:20This offense still no huddle, shotgun more than anybody in the NFL.
04:24But they're running the ball a ton.
04:26Top-five rush offense.
04:27Yeah, they've completely leaned in.
04:29No one runs the ball more on first down.
04:32Just looks completely different than that.
04:35Road to the NFC Championship from a season ago.
04:38The shotgun spread, heavy passing attack.
04:41They've gotten more under center, more run heavy.
04:44Just trying to shorten some of these games
04:46and limit some of the opposing team's possessions.
04:49Well, with Adairie Jackson, they're left tackle today.
04:51Brandon Coleman makes his first start since Week 2 there.
04:54And Chris Rodriguez, who missed last week with a groin injury,
04:57is back in there and running hard here for a pickup of five
05:00against this Philadelphia defense.
05:02And you cannot play any better.
05:04I don't care who you're playing than they did last week,
05:06pitching their first shutout in seven years.
05:08They've had Las Vegas to 75 yards.
05:11And each week, they just continue to creep up into that upper echelon.
05:17They are a top-five defensive unit in pretty much every significant category.
05:21And it all starts with the development and production up front.
05:25Second and five, Rodriguez, right side, trying to get around Phillips.
05:29He does, and he's got a first down.
05:33Chris Rodriguez pushed out by Vaughn.
05:36First and goal for Washington.
05:38We talked about how Dan Flynn mentioned the turnovers being one of the big differences
05:42from last season to this year.
05:45And one of the other big elements, one of the big mismatches of this game,
05:48and no team starts faster than the Philadelphia Eagles,
05:52among the best first-quarter point differential.
05:54And that's something that Washington has really struggled.
05:57So starting fast, I'm not sure if they had recovered, you know,
06:02an opening kickoff fumble start fast.
06:04But certainly, this plays to the model Dan Quinn wanted to play.
06:07The Mariners have only scored 31 first-quarter points all year.
06:10That's like two-and-a-half first-quarter points per game.
06:14Rodriguez swings to the three.
06:15And to your point, against the Eagles,
06:18the game could be over by the end of the first quarter if you're not careful.
06:22Yeah, that's—you know, I was kind of curious.
06:23I thought maybe if Dan Quinn won the coin toss,
06:26he would have elected to take the ball,
06:29give himself the extra possession in the first half.
06:32And little did he know he was going to defer and still possess the ball first.
06:37Four out of the first five plays, run plays for Washington.
06:40Second and goal.
06:41Play action this time.
06:43Sandler in the flats.
06:44Mariotta will heave it out of bounds, and it's third and goal.
06:49This is an area where the commanders have been really good.
06:51They haven't made too many red zone trips, but when they do, third best in the NFL.
06:56Their favorite guy down here, though, Zach Ertz, is out for the season with an ACL injury.
07:00So, Cliff Kingsbury, trying to call for somebody else to feed down here.
07:04And you have to wonder, understanding you're the underdog, knowing how good this Philadelphia defense is,
07:11you're not going to get a ton of red zone opportunities.
07:13Do they treat this like they have two downs and treat it as four-down territory?
07:18Jeremy McDickles comes in a running back.
07:20On third and goal, Mariotta looks to throw.
07:24Back in the end zone and incomplete.
07:26He wanted Burks, who is defended by Dejean.
07:30And they're going to take points.
07:31Yeah, once they decided to throw the ball, it kind of became clear that they weren't going to keep the offense out there on fourth down.
07:40Burks just working through Dejean, some contact.
07:46Clearly holding that right arm, but I think down here in the red zone,
07:50they're going to let guys play physical through the catch,
07:53and that's a big sudden change stop here by this Philadelphia defense.
07:57Washington had it first and goal inside to five.
08:00They're going to settle for a field goal from Jake Moody,
08:03who's with his third different team this year.
08:06Low snap, hold put down, though, by Tressway.
08:09And Moody now six for six to open his time to the Commanders.
08:13Special teams, one of the reasons they won last week
08:16and ended the losing streak against the Giants.
08:18And a special teams play to begin for Mikey Singrestill.
08:22Sets them up for the game's first points.
08:27The new year begins with the Holiday Ball.
08:31Wow!
08:32Arizona takes on SMU January 2nd on Fox.
08:37The game's game on Fox is sponsored by Capital One.
08:40What's in your wallet?
08:43Play the Fox Super 6 NFL Challenge.
08:46Download the Fox Sports app right now and enter for free for a shot to win your share.
08:50$10,000 in cash prizes.
08:52See the Fox Sports app for details.
08:57This is the first time that the first meeting between these teams has come this late in the schedule.
09:02Two meetings over the last three weeks between the Eagles and the Commanders.
09:07It's the Commanders on the board first.
09:10So Will Shipley back to give it another try with Britton Covey.
09:14And Will Shipley on an instant replay of the opening kickoff.
09:17He hopes it has a different finish to it.
09:19Covers up that ball, crosses the 30.
09:22And now we get to see this Eagles offense for the first time.
09:25And they should not be one bit of surprise the way Jalen Hurts played last week.
09:29It seems like any time he's counted out, any time people are doubting him, that's when he's at his best.
09:3412 out of 15 as many touchdowns as incompletions.
09:37Yeah, and that's the formula that the Philadelphia Eagles wants to operate in.
09:41They do not want to be a high-volume passing offense.
09:45They want to be efficient.
09:46They want to be explosive.
09:48But they like that, you know, 15 to 20 pass attempt kind of category.
09:53But this right here, Jalen Hurts under center.
09:56This is the biggest evolution that we've seen from this Philadelphia Eagles offense over the last couple years.
10:02And going to be a big storyline here today.
10:05Last week, almost half of their plays came like this.
10:07Saquon Barkley's tackled in the back here.
10:09But he's struggling to get back to the line of scrimmage.
10:12Jacob Martin had the tackle right there for this Washington defense.
10:1628th against the run, 29th against the Pats.
10:19So obviously they have a unique challenge today.
10:22Going to play a lot more five-man fronts.
10:24Frankie Louvoo, see him there.
10:26Him alongside future Pro Bowler, future Hall of Famer, excuse me, and Bobby Wagner.
10:31They're going to use him as a fifth down lineman.
10:33Get Louvoo up on the edge.
10:35Try to keep this run game in between the tackles.
10:38You'll see Louvoo lined up right here on the left side.
10:44Second and ten.
10:45First filly drive.
10:47First throw from Jalen Hurts.
10:48Steps up.
10:50Hurts will get what he can with his feet.
10:54Jordan McGee angles him out of bounds.
10:56And you see right away, Greg, the foundation of the struggles of the drop-off in the run game.
11:01And on first down, they've been one of the worst teams in the NFL.
11:04Yeah, they face second and ten-plus at one of the highest rates in the league.
11:09And you'll see it all has a trickle-down effect.
11:12And they've been at their best over the years.
11:15They've been in third and short, third and medium, because it kept them in run situations.
11:20They didn't have to throw the ball on third down.
11:22They would run on third and medium to short, because they had the quarterback sneak in their back pocket.
11:28So, that's always been the formula this year.
11:32That formula hasn't always worked out as well.
11:34Third down and seven.
11:35Hurts lets it rip.
11:36Devontae Smith got hit hard by Saner still, and he's short.
11:40Mikey Saner still making a couple plays early on in this ballgame.
11:44Fourth down and a long one.
11:47No punt team yet.
11:48Yeah, early in the season, Saner still, he was playing more inside slot defensive back due to some injuries.
11:55Lattimore, the rookie Amos, they've had to move him outside.
11:58And here we go.
12:00This is the territory.
12:02Now, the tush push has not been nearly as effective.
12:06You know, when they first took the league by storm, up over 90%.
12:10Now Washington.
12:12First charge timeout, Washington.
12:15This is a 30-second timeout.
12:18No, not nearly as successful.
12:21In fact, it's now less successful than your average quarterback sneak.
12:25And even when it was successful, this is a long distance right here to sneak in.
12:30You talk about one of the big reasons why they've been such a first quarter team.
12:34They love to play from a lead.
12:36Nick Sirianni has baked in these fourth down decision-making process into everything that they do.
12:42They want to play from the lead.
12:43They want to get their defense in pass mode, get after the quarterback.
12:47This is what they've been to, two Super Bowl trips, and obviously the defending champs.
12:52Contrast in philosophies here early on.
12:54You had the conservative approach taking the field goal from Washington.
12:58Nothing conservative about this.
13:00Fourth and one, and they'll go for it out of the shotgun.
13:02Play clock down to two.
13:16And it was a bluff trying to draw them off sides, and it didn't work.
13:20Delay game.
13:22Offense, number one.
13:24It's a five-yard penalty.
13:25Fourth down.
13:26Yeah, you know, I don't mind the idea of just see if you can get them to jump.
13:30It's early in the game, a lot of energy.
13:32Maybe you catch a break, but if you're going to do it, make it look like quarterback sneak.
13:36Get under center.
13:37Those defensive linemen are just chomping at the bit, trying to defend the tush push,
13:42and maybe a little more likely.
13:44You line up in the gun.
13:45You do some shifts in motions.
13:46Maybe it doesn't have the same effect.
13:48Buckle up right here.
13:49Jalen Lane returned to punt for a touchdown last week, his second of his rookie year.
14:00Good high punt from Berta Mann.
14:03Lane from the 15 got chapped down immediately.
14:07Sidney Brown was all over him.
14:1049-yard punt from Mann, and Sidney Brown makes sure there is no return.
14:14Washington on offense when you come back.
14:17A Monday worry of me means try.
14:21Today's time's.
14:22Magic from Messi.
14:24N'Bombe in a propose.
14:27N'Bombe's a delight.
14:29What can this team do?
14:35Today's game on Fox is sponsored by T-Mobile, now the best network in America.
14:40Well, his team split the regular season series last year and then faced off in the NFC Championship
14:46game.
14:47Saquon Barkley, 60-yard touchdown run on their first ride.
14:51Four turnovers from Washington.
14:53Seven rushing touchdowns for Philadelphia.
14:55And the most points ever scored in a championship game.
14:5955 for Philadelphia.
15:01Putting an end to the dream rookie season for Jaden Daniels.
15:04Went from 12-5 in rookie of the year last year to 2-5 in the games that he started this year.
15:10And even when he was on the field just now, quite the same.
15:13So, Marcus Mariota, the quarterback for the eighth start this season.
15:22The veteran world.
15:23Workoff play action.
15:24Zipped over the middle and incomplete.
15:26He was looking for John Bates, who was defended by Cooper DeGene.
15:30This Philadelphia defense, so good under Vic Fangio.
15:33Early on this season, good.
15:35Lately, great.
15:36And looking more and more like the defense we saw through the playoffs last year.
15:39Yeah, and it's completely built upon just the growth and development of this defensive front.
15:45Of course, the acquisition of Jaden Phillips.
15:47They acquired him from the Miami Dolphins before the trade deadline.
15:51Returning Nolan Smith.
15:53Jordan Davis, he's playing some of the best ball of his young career.
15:56This front makes Vic Fangio's system go.
16:01Robert Riguez.
16:03Powers ahead for six.
16:05Third down coming up.
16:06And it's all been without Jalen Carter lately.
16:08He's missed the last two games.
16:10Part of their stud, defensive tackle, had procedure on both shoulders.
16:13But they've had 11 sacks in the two games without him.
16:16And what it does, it's almost like you're playing with a 12th man, right?
16:19You can get pressure on the quarterback by only bringing four rushers.
16:23They're a very low blitz team.
16:25And what that does, it keeps this zone secondary intact.
16:29It's almost like they have an extra man out there.
16:30There's just not a lot of space to operate.
16:33Very high contested throw rates.
16:35Very tight windows in the passing game.
16:37The commander's emptied out here on third down.
16:39Mariota to McLaurin who lost his footing but found the ball.
16:43Terry McLaurin with a wide smile on his face.
16:46But again, a six and a first down.
16:48Looks at the sideline and just says,
16:50All right, man, maybe it's my night.
16:52You know, he's had a little bit of a quiet year.
16:54Dealing with some injuries.
16:56Working against one of the premier corners in the entire league.
16:59Quinone Mitchell.
17:01It's been a disappointing season for McLaurin.
17:03And so many of these guys drop-offs from last year for McLaurin.
17:06That's largely because, Ben, because for the first time in his career, he's dealt with injuries.
17:11He's missed seven games with the quad.
17:13But healthy the last few weeks.
17:14He had a 50-yard touchdown last week.
17:17Fresh set of downs.
17:18Hand-off Jeremy McNichols.
17:20Over the left side.
17:22Part of a deep running back group.
17:23And they'll feed all these guys.
17:25McNichols in his ninth season with his eighth different franchise.
17:29He had a couple veterans, Rodriguez and McNichols.
17:32We've not seen Krosky Merritt yet.
17:34But they like this group.
17:36Seventeen.
17:38This is something that Washington's going to do more than anybody in the league.
17:42They're going to get up on the ball.
17:44It's not necessarily tempo as much as it is just no huddle.
17:48On second and seven.
17:52McNichols.
17:52Cranked out of bounds.
17:55Jitter.
17:58Third and about four.
18:00The defense we talk about for Washington has not been good.
18:04The offense they can still score on here.
18:05They had the 29 points last week against the Giants.
18:08Took Denver to overtime with an offense that still can put up points and make it tough.
18:15Final piece to this Philly defense.
18:18N'Kobe Dean.
18:19His return from injury.
18:20They lost him in the playoffs last year.
18:22Against the Green Bay Packers since he's come back.
18:26He has changed this unit for the better.
18:29Dean number 17.
18:30Linebacker to the near side.
18:32Third down over the middle.
18:33Flag down as Burks makes the catch.
18:36A flag back at the line of scrimmage.
18:38Traylon Burks gets 16 but they suit.
18:41Let's see what this call is.
18:43Holding.
18:44Offense.
18:45Number 74.
18:46It's a 10-yard penalty.
18:48Replay third down.
18:49And those penalties.
18:50Another way that you can go from winning 12 games last year to winning just four this year.
18:55One of the most penalized teams in the league.
18:57And Dean who you mentioned coming back from injury was slow to get up there.
19:00Yeah Brandon Coleman.
19:03So Laramie Tunzel their usual starting left tackle.
19:06You see he's there to left tackle.
19:09So Laramie Tunzel they acquired him via trade.
19:12One of the premier left tackles veteran.
19:15He's out due to injury.
19:17So they lost him to an oblique injury a week ago against New York.
19:20And Brandon Coleman now taking over on the left side.
19:24And there is Dean leaving the field with the training staff.
19:27Let me touch on how impactful he's been since coming back.
19:29Seems like he's ever.
19:31Like there's two of them on the field each play.
19:33He's great in the run game.
19:34He's great in coverage.
19:35He's a great blitzer.
19:37And now Jahad Campbell their first round pick.
19:39The linebacker.
19:40He was playing early in the season.
19:42Taking over reserve role now since Dean's return.
19:45Instead of a first down it's third and 14.
19:48Mariota's given time.
19:49And coverage tight so he tucks it.
19:51Extends it.
19:52See if anybody comes loose.
19:54Mariota throws on the run to the sideline.
19:56And it's incomplete.
19:58Wanted Ben Sinnick.
19:59And that Eagles pass defense.
20:01The best pass defense in the NFL just would not break anybody loose.
20:06This is where this Eagles defense is just so good.
20:09They can move the quarterback off his spot.
20:12So they play a lot of zone coverage Joe.
20:14But it actually plays like man.
20:16It's a match zone.
20:17Very tight contested throws.
20:21Just not typically a lot of space on the back end.
20:24And Mariota just can't connect.
20:28And so a punt from Tressway.
20:29Gritton Covey.
20:35From the 26.
20:36Spits the first two.
20:38And gets stripped up to the 37.
20:41The Eagles offense.
20:43A three and out to begin the day.
20:45They've had more of those than anybody in the NFL this year.
20:48Try to get things going when you come back.
20:50The only thing that has stopped N'Kobe Dean in his short NFL career has been injuries.
21:11And he has left the field with another here.
21:14He's headed back to the locker room.
21:15The top players on this Philadelphia defense lose early on in this ballgame.
21:22Three to nothing Washington.
21:23He goes back on offense.
21:25Trying to clinch the division with a win tonight or a Cowboys loss tomorrow.
21:31Dylan Hurts coming off a bounce back game.
21:33All offense coming off an encouraging day.
21:35They put up 31 on the Raiders.
21:37Five wide on first and ten.
21:44Only a three-man rush.
21:45Time for Hurts.
21:46Let's it rip.
21:47And has Devontae Smith into Washington territory on a gain of 17.
21:53Washington is having trouble.
21:55Bobby Wagner is trying to get them into their empty check.
21:57So Frankie Louvoo, he comes off the line of scrimmage into more of a second-level linebacker role.
22:03And just, it's not really his strength.
22:06Not really a space player in coverage.
22:08And pretty easy pitch and catch.
22:11Another five wide set right here showing they can be many different things.
22:15Just as we saw the under center stuff on the first drive.
22:21Hurts pressure and stepped away.
22:24Jalen Hurts running more.
22:26Slides with a first down.
22:29Scrambles his way for a dozen.
22:32So a lot of conversation about, is Jalen Hurts using his legs enough?
22:37Both as a designed runner and here as a scrambler.
22:41Typically, his scramble rate is tied to when defenses play him zone.
22:46Man coverage ball comes out quicker against zone.
22:49Relies on the scramble a little bit more.
22:52And Washington plays zone defense as much as anybody.
22:55Especially the last few weeks.
22:56The corners have all gotten hurt.
22:57Trying to take some pressure off of those guys.
23:00Perhaps some opportunities for Hurts to run tonight.
23:03First down and 10.
23:04Underneath, first catch, A.J. Brown.
23:07A.J. Brown inside the 20.
23:09Three plays, three first downs for Fiddle.
23:12Yeah, so right now, the Eagles, they've had Washington in base coverage.
23:18So you've got Frankie Louvoo.
23:19He's playing one slot side.
23:21He's got Jordan McGee, linebacker.
23:23He's playing the other slot.
23:25So they're just spreading them out in this empty.
23:28And there's just a ton of space.
23:31Best red zone team in the NFL.
23:32First and 10 inside the 20.
23:38This time they're in nickel.
23:40Here's Ickmonogony playing the slot.
23:43Hurts, floats, end zone.
23:45It's a drop off of the hands of Smith.
23:49Will Harris might have knocked it out of there at the last moment.
23:52Man, who rarely do you see Devontae Smith get his hands on a ball and not bring it in.
23:57Yeah, good location, good ball, nice job there by Harris, just going hands-to-hands through the ground.
24:06And you're right, he's been so good all year, has always been an interior receiver, Devontae Smith, alignment-wise.
24:15Big change this year, getting a lot more production when he is aligned outside.
24:21Play clock's down to seven, just now snapping the huddle.
24:25Matthews, the timeout here.
24:27They will.
24:31First one used by the Eagles.
24:35We'll be right back after these messages.
24:39Caught the early flight.
24:41See you there.
24:45Finally beating your siblings to the good room on family vacation.
24:50That's what the world's biggest airline can do for you, baby bro.
24:53I'm 26.
24:54Get a large stuffed crunch crust for $9.49 from Little Caesars.
24:57It has delicious breadcrumbs on the cheese stuffed crust that make it, um, hmm, what's the word?
25:02Edge crunch-tastic.
25:03You read my mind, kiddo.
25:04Get the lowest price in stuffed crust for only $9.49.
25:07Little Caesars is the real deal.
25:08Pizza, pizza.
25:09Hell, so much of what it made Jalen Hurts special through the years was missing badly during that three-game losing streak.
25:16Part of the worst game of his career against the Chargers where he turned it over five times, but last week, I know it was against the Raiders, and I know the whole team played well against the Raiders.
25:25But you could not have played better if you're the Eagles or if you're Hurts, who did all the things that made him good when he was at his best.
25:33Absolutely.
25:33That's the template of what they want to be.
25:36Efficient passing game.
25:38The second half, they got the run game going, and then the explosive plays downfield.
25:42A.J.
25:42Brown had the late touchdown.
25:44Devontae Smith had a big play earlier in the game.
25:46That's who they want to be.
25:47We were talking about saw him run a little bit more than we'd seen lately.
25:50And here's Brown underneath, shaking, stiff-arming, and getting inside the five.
25:55A.J.
25:56Brown makes it first and goal on a game of 16.
26:00Yeah, one-on-one here against Jonathan Jones.
26:04A.J.
26:04Brown, he's a slant-pitch-goal ball.
26:07Those three concepts, he's among the best in the league.
26:11And then something Washington has continued to struggle with.
26:13Red zone defense and yards after missed tackles.
26:17He's given up almost 1,000 yards, just over 900 yards after missed tackles this year.
26:23Barkley straight ahead.
26:24Barkley to the goal line and in for the Philadelphia touchdown.
26:30Saquon Barkley, who had seven touchdowns against Washington last year, has this game's first.
26:39Let's take a look here at the late touchdown call.
26:44Let's see if Saquon's both knees are off the ground when he crosses the goal line.
26:50Yeah, so I think he's short.
26:51You can see his knee right there.
26:52The ball is in his left hand.
26:54So they're going to mark this about a half yard short, you'd imagine.
27:00Extra point seems already out there ready to kick it.
27:02All scoring plays are reviewed automatically by the Booth, and this one happened fast.
27:07The goal line, it'll be second down inside the one.
27:12Well, Barkley is part of that record-setting season last year.
27:15He was player of the year, ran for 125 yards per game, was at his very best against Washington.
27:20Over 100 yards in all three games.
27:22Seven touchdowns in those three games.
27:24It just had no answer for him.
27:26And for as good as he was, the entire offense, of course, was an incredible record-setting NFC championship game.
27:32But their number one in red zone efficiency this year, that NFC championship game, they had seven red zone trips, seven touchdowns.
27:41I mean, it doesn't get any better than that.
27:43They're a half a yard away from staying the best in the league.
27:47Extra close right here, but Dallas Goddard alert, always down in this part of the form.
27:54If they line up in gun, all right, so they're under center.
27:56So under center, tush-push, gun, somehow Goddard's going to get a shot pass.
28:00So here's going to be a tush-push.
28:02Second down and goal after the overturned touchdown.
28:06Hard count.
28:08And movement up front.
28:09This is going to be a penalty on Philadelphia.
28:14False start.
28:16Offense.
28:16Number 74.
28:18It's a five-yard penalty.
28:19Still second out.
28:20Fred Johnson, the right tackle, starting again for Lane Johnson.
28:23This has been another one of the problems.
28:25The most penalized team pre-snap in the NFL.
28:28Last week, they had a season-low three penalties.
28:31One of them called right here.
28:33Just the slightest of movement.
28:36We've heard the league say multiple times they are putting a more of an emphasis on calling false starts,
28:44end up in the neutral zone, all those things.
28:46One of the big differences is how they're going to officiate the tush-push this year in comparison to years past.
28:52Goddard's like, it was actually on me.
28:54I did it on purpose.
28:55Dallas Goddard alert.
28:56Feed me.
28:57Five touchdowns.
28:58Caught behind the line of scrimmage.
29:01Nine in total this year.
29:02Hurts looks to throw.
29:05Sideline touchdown.
29:06Devontae Smith hands on to this one.
29:09He had a touchdown pop out of his hands earlier on this draw, but he squeezes this one, and the Eagles take the lead.
29:21You just, you can't release any better than this.
29:24Sanders still is playing outside leverage.
29:26Devontae Smith knows, all right, I got outside leverage.
29:28I'm going to threaten where he cannot get beat.
29:32I'm going to move his feet.
29:33And then just the counter, the quickness in and out of his break.
29:36Sanders still one-on-one in space.
29:39That's just a real tough matchup.
29:41Next, the point from Jake Elliott is there in Philadelphia doing what they did so well last year.
29:46Getting explosive plays.
29:48Four plays on that drive of at least 14 yards.
29:51And after a three-and-out on their first possession, big plays on the second possession.
29:57And a touchdown.
29:58Jalen Hurts finds Devontae Smith.
30:007-3 on this Eagles offense.
30:03That means a lot of mouths to feed.
30:04Last year, they were all getting fed.
30:06They were all happy little birds.
30:09This season, though, the big drop-off in the running game.
30:12Barkley's yardage cut down to 87.
30:14Brown has had a surge in it.
30:15He tweeted, squawked, whatever these guys do.
30:19Said, give me the ball more.
30:21He's got it a couple times on that drive.
30:23And they spread it out, spread it around, and they're in the end zone.
30:26I like it.
30:27Kevin Petulo, offensive coordinator, comes under some heat there in Philadelphia.
30:31But I like it.
30:32Started off the drive.
30:33Washington wants to keep three linebackers on the field, play more base defense than typically a Dan Quinn team will play.
30:40And they trap those linebackers, spread them out and empty.
30:43And a lot of open space in the coverage.
30:49Elliott kicks it away.
30:51Back at a five-yard line.
30:54Here comes Chris Moore.
30:57Moore stays on his feet and got crunched as he passed the 30-yard line.
31:01For an injury up there, down to Pam.
31:03Yeah, the word on linebacker, Nekobe Dean, is this, Joe.
31:06Dean has a hamstring injury.
31:08His return is questionable for Washington.
31:11Pump returner, Jalen Blaine, he has an ankle injury.
31:14He is also questionable to return.
31:16Okay, Pam, and that explains why you saw Chris Moore in the game returning the kick right there.
31:22And you touched on the last drive, but it's Jihad Campbell that has come on to replace Nekobe Dean.
31:26He was the starter to begin the year, and Dean was still working his way back from the knee injury.
31:30Ball at the 31-yard line.
31:33First and 10 for the Commanders.
31:35And Bill Krosky-Meritt in the game for the first time.
31:38The rookie running back.
31:39Big week against the Giants last week.
31:42Has the same and hits it hard.
31:43Spins for a first down.
31:45Yeah, well, so much of the conversation in Philly is about Jalen Hurts lining up more and more under center in the run game.
31:58Well, ever since Daniels went down, you see Krosky-Meritt here.
32:03He's got himself another late-round draft pick.
32:06Kyle Monunga, the Bears, getting a lot of production out of these young backs.
32:11Here you go, though, under center again for Mariota.
32:13Hands it off to Krosky-Meritt.
32:14Well, this time blown up.
32:16Jordan Davis got him.
32:20Yeah, so one of the things.
32:21So last year with Daniels, it's probably gunned, right?
32:24They're spreading everybody out.
32:25It was high percentage pass.
32:26They were one of the most effective and efficient passing games.
32:29Well, he goes out to injury.
32:32Mariota's comfortable both in the gun but also under center.
32:35So you've seen these last couple weeks, a lot more plays under center, play action,
32:41trying to complement this heavy run following scheme.
32:49No game on first down, second and ten.
32:52Faked to Krosky-Meritt this time.
32:54Debo sitting over this first touch.
32:56Stiff arm and against Cooper Dejean and getting what he can.
32:59Sandy, the longtime San Francisco 49er.
33:02They got him in a trade this spring.
33:03The catches are up, but the yards are down.
33:05Most of the plays have looked like that.
33:07It leads the league in targets on screen plays.
33:10It's a lot of perimeter screen.
33:12Very reliant on yards after the catch.
33:15And it's just so hard in today's day and age to go the length of the field,
33:20especially against a great defense like Philly.
33:22They have to find ways, run and pass, to generate explosive plays.
33:26The Eagles rusher on the four on third down.
33:32Mariota's still in trouble, and Mariota gets slotted up.
33:36Guess who?
33:37It's Brandon Graham making his impact again.
33:41The 37-year-old at his first two sacks coming out of retirement last week,
33:46and he's got a third right here.
33:49Yeah, I'm not sure there's a more efficient pass rusher.
33:52They've used him more as an interior defensive tackle.
33:55Jalen Carter, the young stud tackle, he's out to injury.
33:59Last week, Joe, you mentioned his two sacks.
34:01Yeah.
34:01It came in seven total snaps.
34:05Today he's got one sack in two snaps.
34:08Pretty darn good.
34:09Three out of nine.
34:10Three out of nine.
34:10I think that's pretty efficient.
34:12We got all kinds of rate stats these days.
34:14I'm sure that's one of them, and I am certain that he's first.
34:18Through with a quarter here in Landover.
34:20Washington took advantage of the takeaway on the first drive to get points,
34:23but it's the Eagles bouncing back onto the 7-3 lead after one.
34:28On to the second quarter here in Landover.
34:30A 7-3 lead for Philadelphia.
34:32Punt coming up for Washington.
34:34And continuing a tradition that started last year,
34:36the Commanders are one of six teams that will be playing on Christmas Day.
34:40And to celebrate the occasion, each team that will play on Christmas,
34:43there's this holiday-inspired patch this week.
34:46We'll wear it again on Christmas as they take on the Cowboys.
34:49Joe Davis, Greg Olson, Pam Oliver.
34:55The holiday season has been awesome so far.
34:58Christmas just a few days away.
35:02Whitten Covey, first few months on the practice squad.
35:06Activated and has made an instant impact.
35:08With a fair catch back at the 10-yard line.
35:11The last drive for Philadelphia, they spread it out and spread it around.
35:14Yeah, a lot of conversation about how is Philly going to continue to design this offense down the stretch.
35:21Little Jalen Hurd's scramble.
35:23A lot of open voids out of the empty spread.
35:25Everybody in Washington's secondary out and just throw to the open man.
35:29And then, of course, Devontae Smith one-on-one on the outside.
35:33That's a tough matchup for any D-back in the entire league.
35:36Mark, you're just watching Philadelphia for the first time since the Super Bowl run last year
35:41when you watch them just run wild over everybody.
35:43Saquon Barkley, lasting image of us postseason just running like crazy.
35:47It's not been the same.
35:49There's been a huge drop-off in the run game, and so it's been a continual search for what they're going to be.
35:55And an evolution the last couple weeks starting to emerge.
35:58Hurd's to throw from his own goal line.
36:00And got rid of it to Brown and incomplete.
36:03He had one-on-one out there against Sanders still, but was off his back foot.
36:06One of those changes, just run game specifically, is a lot more of the runs are now being run inside the tackle box.
36:13When you look at Saquon Barkley over the years, he's so explosive in those perimeter runs.
36:18Well, you factor in Lane Johnson, the all-world right tackle.
36:22He's out with the foot injury.
36:23They're hoping to get him back.
36:25So they're trying to run inside, less about generating big runs, Joe,
36:29and more about stay away from negative runs.
36:32They just take so many first-down, lost yardage plays.
36:36They think by staying away from the perimeter, they can cut those down.
36:41Back to the empty look here.
36:44Hurd's 5-7 today.
36:47Rolls to his right.
36:48And runs.
36:49A lot of room for Jalen Hurd, who crosses to 25.
36:5416 yards for Hurd.
36:56Well, now the second time we've seen Hurd activate himself as a scrambler.
37:06Anytime you run these TEs, right?
37:08So the ends there are spiking.
37:10You're trying to contain with the interior defensive linemen.
37:13If you don't get enough width with these spread formations,
37:17there's so much green grass for Jalen Hurd.
37:19It's Buckley for 9.
37:24Running between the tackles.
37:25So back to the point we were making earlier about them running the ball inside more.
37:28It's almost as if they said, okay, we're not as explosive as last year.
37:32That's just going to be the case.
37:35That's leaning to being efficient at least.
37:36Yeah, more often than not, if the idea of being second and eight, second and seven.
37:41Remember, once they get around the logo and they go four down mode,
37:45they can treat those medium downs as an extra down.
37:48Stay run heavy, knowing fourth and short they can keep the offense on the field.
37:53It's been the formula now for three or four years.
38:00Second and short.
38:01Toss it to Barkley.
38:02The steam.
38:03The lead blocker.
38:04Barkley trying to hop away from Jones,
38:07but Jones, who's battled on a sore rib,
38:09did well to hang on there and limited him to a five-yard line.
38:12You look at the numbers and it's like,
38:14what is wrong with Saquon Barkley?
38:15But there's just so many different factors that have gone into this drop-off.
38:19Yeah, they're not doing as good of a job getting him to the second level,
38:23where he is such a handful is for these space players,
38:27defensive backs, to get him on the ground.
38:29So much of the contact is at or behind the line of scrimmage.
38:33You can force missed tacklers, but not all forced missed tacklers are created evenly
38:37because they don't all equate to more yardage.
38:40The thing is with him, you get him a little bit of room, you get him moving,
38:43good luck tackling it.
38:45Get a surge for him right here.
38:48Get a modest score.
38:49Dennis is struck by Jackson.
38:52You've got the negative plays, more of them than anybody.
38:56The penalties, we talked about that, putting you behind the chains.
39:00The offensive line not quite as good.
39:02You've got a new play caller, Kevin Petullo.
39:04First time he's ever been a play caller.
39:06He's been with Nick Sirianni for almost a decade,
39:08but this is new territory for him.
39:10So many different factors snowballing and have them trying to still figure it out here down the stretch.
39:23Second and eight from the 42.
39:28Hurts giving time.
39:30Brown's got it again.
39:32Into commander's territory.
39:34A.J. Brown is inside the 35, 24 yards.
39:40And already over 50 for the day.
39:45Yeah, just so much time.
39:47He's trying to get the little stick and go up the middle.
39:51Bobby Wagner carries it and just so much time there.
39:55In monogamy, he's a safety, kind of a dime linebacker type.
39:59One-on-one with one of the premier receivers for that long.
40:02That's just a tough matchup.
40:06The last five games, Brown right at the top of the NFL in the receiving yards.
40:11Barkley with a short game right here.
40:12Stopped by Duran Payne.
40:13And Nick Benogamy is that close to getting his hand on it.
40:16Once Brown gets it, this is as hard to bring down as anybody in the league.
40:22He thinks he's got a shot at it.
40:24He undercuts it.
40:26The only problem with undercutting is if you miss,
40:28just a lot of space for yards after catch.
40:32Something they continue to struggle.
40:33Missed tackles.
40:34Yards after catch have played this commander's defense all season long.
40:39And there's the backwards stack category.
40:41He gets 80-plus yards.
40:42They lose.
40:43He gets under that.
40:44They win.
40:44But part of that is he's getting 80-plus because they're losing and chasing.
40:50Whereas he's not getting the receiving yards because they're winning and running.
40:53Barkley crashes for a first down.
40:57Saquon Barkley gashing this Washington defense.
41:02All right, so here's why traditionally Jalen Hurts stays in the gun.
41:07Just watch what the quarterback threat does to the backside pursuit of the defense.
41:13Frankie Luvu, the edge players, you just can't commit to the run game as quickly
41:18knowing at any moment Hurts could pull that ball out the backside.
41:21Deron Payne was slow to get up there for Washington.
41:25Injuries have been a huge part of the story.
41:27More for them than just about any team in the NFL this year.
41:32It is the oldest roster in the NFL by a pretty wide margin.
41:35And so part of it should be not a huge surprise that it's become part of the story.
41:41All scheming to create what Dan Quinn has said has been the most challenging year
41:45that he's ever had as a coach in more than three decades as a coach.
41:48It's season as a head coach in the NFL.
41:55Dream year last year, 12 and five.
41:59Now going through this little division tournament to finish it off.
42:02But he referred to it as first-rate division games to finish the schedule,
42:06hoping that that can get his team a little bit of extra motivation, a little extra life.
42:10Let's get this play off and shovel it to Smith.
42:14And he's run down by Jordan McGee, who Dan Quinn really likes.
42:20This is one of the guys he wants to see get more and more playing time here the last few weeks.
42:24Yeah, so on that last drive, one of the reasons that they're playing so much base
42:28is they're trying to get McGee on the field more.
42:32Dan Quinn said, one of the things we struggle with, we don't have a lot of speed.
42:35We don't have a lot of guys that can get to the ball.
42:38We have to find ways for McGee to be on the field.
42:40I mean, look at that speed.
42:42That's an inside linebacker chasing down Devontes.
42:45Yeah, that stands out.
42:46Second-year man from Temple.
42:48Handful of snaps as a rookie.
42:50More and more as his second season has gone on.
42:53Second and long.
42:54Hurts, Florida, and Brown couldn't get it.
42:58He's wide open.
43:00The throw a little bit high.
43:02And it's third and 11.
43:0311.
43:05Just a little out of the reach of A.J. Brown.
43:12You can tell he didn't want to elevate completely knowing he's so close to the sideline.
43:16So it's always a challenge for a receiver.
43:18You want to jump because you want to catch it.
43:20But you understand if you jump too high, you'll never be able to get both feet down.
43:25And it just lands incomplete.
43:2911th play of this Philadelphia drive.
43:31Hurts fires.
43:39Brown can't get it this time.
43:41It's broken up by Samberstil.
43:43And so the commanders force the field goal attempt.
43:49Yeah, Samberstil, what a start.
43:52What a first half.
43:53Forces the opening kickoff.
43:55Fumble.
43:55And he's now made his presence felt a couple times.
43:59This is what Washington's defensive backs have to get better at.
44:02Contest more throws.
44:03A lot of open target receivers all season long.
44:07And that's a big time stop here to force a field goal.
44:11So we're more like the rookie.
44:12Mikey Samberstil was awesome last year.
44:14His first year out of Michigan.
44:16Jake Elliott's field goal.
44:17Hooks wide.
44:18And Elliott's struggles continue.
44:22He's missed a kick now for the last five games.
44:26And Dan Quinn's team bends.
44:28Forces the field goal and doesn't break.
44:317-3.
44:32Commanders back on offense after this.
44:37Marcus Mariota's 32.
44:40Feels like it was just the dual threat phenom winning the Heisman at Oregon.
44:44Second pick of the Titans.
44:45He was their starter for five seasons.
44:48But four teams over the last six years has become this journeyman.
44:52Are you talking about him being a rhythm passer now?
44:54He's the guy you rely on the veteran off of the bench.
44:57Identical numbers, by the way, to Jalen Hurts.
44:59Now, granted, for Mariota, that's twice as long a career.
45:01But really interesting side-by-side, these two quarterbacks.
45:06Mariota in his 11th season.
45:09First down and 10.
45:10He'll look to throw it on first down.
45:11He's looking long.
45:12He wants McLaurin.
45:14He's got it.
Comments