A.J. Brown sets NFL Record, Eagles Improve to 7-1

Winning uncomfortably seems to be the formula for the Philadelphia Eagles who improved to 4-1 in one-scores games this season and got the sweep of their NFC East rival Washington Commanders this season by defeating them today 38-31.

Jalen Hurts and Kenneth Gainwell both had fumbles within their own five-yard-line, but Philadelphia still was able to battle adversity and capture the victory. Hurts finished 29-38 for 319 yards and four touchdowns (including one to Julio Jones) while D’Andre Swift was the lead back and had 16 carries for 57 yards and one touchdown. The Eagles now have the best record in the NFL at 7-1

It seemed to have the details of the Week 3 matchup against Washington, including explosive offensive plays as well as the Eagles being down early but forcing a comeback on Washington. This Eagles team just finds ways to win, and two late miscues by the Commanders secured the Eagles the victory.

A.J. Brown

A.J. Brown continues to be on an absolute tear. He recorded his sixth straight game of 125 yards or more receiving which broke an NFL record held by Calvin Johnson. His stat line finished at 8 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. From the get-go, Hurts was all about targeting Brown as every pass he threw to him resulted in a completion. His first touchdown cut the Eagles’ deficit to 14-10 and his second touchdown tied the game at 17 midway through the third quarter. Washington cornerbacks Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Benjamin St. Juste had their hands full all day, and Brown was a crucial factor in this game and will remain that way for the rest of the season.

Sean Desai

Another week and Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai again proves to be great at second-half adjustments. Although the Eagles’ defense seemed like Swiss cheese for most of the afternoon, the Eagles held Washington to only seven points in the second half, highlighted by two key plays in the fourth quarter including a key interception by Reed Blankenship and the game-ending sack by Hassan Reddick. In a game that had more bad defensive plays than good by the Eagles, fans should still be pleased with the successful adjustments being made by Desai, especially with the gauntlet of offenses the Eagles will play in the next six weeks.

The Brotherly Shove

Despite running the Brotherly Shove earlier in the game and it resulting in a fumble on the goal-line, we saw a new version of the Brotherly Shove that could prove to be more problematic for defenses in the future. Leading by 7 with just under two minutes to go the Eagles looked to be lining up for another Tush Push to seal the game. However, Hurts did not surge forward as he always does, rather, he turned and handed it to Deandre Swift who walked in untouched and provided the Eagles their final score of the game to put the game virtually out of reach for the Commanders. If the Eagles learn new variations of this play it will continue to get the title of being the most unstoppable play in football.

The Next Steps

The Eagles find themselves at 7-1 at about the mid-way point of the season. Their next 6 games will prove to be their toughest stretch yet. They play Dallas next week at home followed by their bye week. After the week off, they play the Chiefs, Bills, 49ers, Cowboys, and Seahawks, all in a row. If the Eagles want to show the rest of the league that they are capable of beating anyone in the NFL, they will need to come away with an above-500 record in this next 6 game gauntlet.