LANDOVER, Md. – Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, head coach Nick Sirianni emphasized the team’s sloppy performance. Penalties, turnovers, drops, and alignment confusion plagued the Eagles throughout the game. Sirianni acknowledged the challenges of facing a strong opponent and highlighted the importance of minimizing errors to secure a victory.
The Eagles faced adversity early in the game when quarterback Jalen Hurts exited due to a concussion, prompting Kenny Pickett to take over. Despite the setback, Pickett showed resilience, completing 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Eagles also dealt with disciplinary issues, including ejections and unnecessary penalties, further complicating their performance.
Sirianni took responsibility for the team’s shortcomings and emphasized the need for improvement in all aspects of their game. Despite the loss, cornerback Darius Slay highlighted the team’s focus on addressing mistakes and learning from the experience to enhance their performance moving forward.
The Eagles struggled on third-down conversions, converting only three of 16 attempts, while the Commanders found success on seven of their 13 opportunities. The Eagles’ inability to capitalize on key plays, coupled with defensive lapses, contributed to their defeat.
In the aftermath of their first loss in 11 games, the Eagles remained determined to refine their execution and rectify their errors. While acknowledging the Commanders’ strong performance, the team vowed to regroup and strive for improvement in future matchups.
The game could have been sealed with a first down, allowing Sirianni and the formidable Eagles’ offensive line to effectively secure the win with a 30-28 lead. However, a drop by the receiver forced a crucial fourth down with the clock paused, ultimately extending the lead as Daniels rendered the previous play inconsequential. In reflection, Sirianni emphasized the team’s history of aggressive play in such situations, which led to the decision to opt for a pass instead of running out the clock on the ground.
“We’ve successfully managed the clock in similar scenarios before,” stated Sirianni, referencing the Eagles’ recent victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers where they controlled possession for the final 10 minutes of the game. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t replicate that success this time.”
Following the game, Smith acknowledged the error, accepting responsibility for the missed opportunity. Expressing his frustration, he admitted, “I was open, I called for it, and the ball ended up on the ground. They put it in my hand, and I have to make the play.”
Smith’s accountability in the aftermath of the drop, reminiscent of Barkley’s response to a similar situation in a Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, instills hope in Sirianni. This sense of accountability is particularly crucial in light of Hurts’ prolonged absence during most of the game.
“Accountability remains consistent regardless of the outcome, doesn’t it?” Sirianni remarked. “I would be a hypocrite if I acted otherwise.”
The Eagles’ performance, described as “sloppy” by observers, coupled with Jalen Hurts’ injury, has put Philadelphia on high alert as they navigate through the challenges presented by recent setbacks.
