Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Saquon Barkley ran the Philadelphia Eagles to back-to-back divisional titles Saturday with an ill-tempered 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders that guarantees playoff football for the reigning NFL champions. The Eagles (10-5) are the first consecutive winners of the historically competitive NFC East in two decades, in the process ensuring their bitter rival Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) can no longer reach the postseason. Running back Barkley rushed for 132 yards and quarterback Jalen Hurts threw two touchdowns in a game that saw a full-out fourth quarter brawl with multiple punches thrown and three players ejected. “Back-to-back division champs, hasn’t been done in 20 years, so that’s big,” said Barkley. “I love the way we finished. We stood together and most importantly got the win.”
Already eliminated from the playoffs, Washington (4-11) had protectively benched injury-hit rising-star quarterback Jayden Daniels for its remaining games. But Daniels’ replacements could not deliver a Christmas gift for home fans Saturday. After a false start “tush push,” Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith grabbed a short Hurts pass on second down for an early touchdown. Washington running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt burst in for a hard-fought one-yard touchdown run shortly before halftime. Philadelphia’s kicking woes continued, as Jake Elliott missed three field goal attempts in the first half, though one was chalked off for a foul.
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But the Eagles soared back into the lead with a 15-yard pass from Hurts to tight end Dallas Goedert. And after an injury to Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, a stray pass from third-string Josh Johnson was intercepted, ultimately leading to a touchdown for the dominant Barkley. Tank Bigsby compounded the punishment with a 22-yard rushing touchdown for Philadelphia. Tempers boiled over when the Eagles then went for a two-point conversion, when an illegal hold sparked a mass brawl. Three players were subsequently ejected from the game—Philadelphia’s Tyler Steen, and Washington’s Javon Kinlaw and Quan Martin. Chris Rodriguez Jr. scored a late consolation touchdown for Washington.
In Saturday’s other game, the Chicago Bears edged closer to clinching their playoff place after a thrilling 22-16 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. The Packers looked to be heading to a crucial victory over their NFC North divisional rivals after opening up a 16-6 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But after a Cairo Santos field goal reduced the deficit to 16-9, the Bears regained possession with a successful onside kick and then quarterback Caleb Williams tossed a touchdown pass to Jahdae Walker with just over 20 seconds remaining to tie the game. After stopping Green Bay’s first drive in overtime, the Bears then walked it off with Williams’ 46-yard touchdown pass to DJ Moore. The Bears will clinch their playoff berth if the Detroit Lions lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
© 2024 AFP
