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09/13 18:54 CDT Jalen Hurts throws 3 TD passes and Eagles stuff Commanders'
late 2-point try for 24-22 win
Jalen Hurts throws 3 TD passes and Eagles stuff Commanders' late 2-point try
for 24-22 win
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) --- Jalen Hurts threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns, and
the Eagles' Moro Ojomo stuffed the Commanders' attempt at a tying 2-point
conversion with 1:01 remaining as Philadelphia squeaked past Washington 24-22
on Sunday.
Jayden Daniels threw a 1-yard TD pass to on third-and-goal to Antonio Williams
with 1:01 left for the Commanders' second touchdown of the fourth quarter. On
the 2-point try, Washington called a shovel pass to tight end John Bates, who
was wrapped up instantly by Ojomo.
The Eagles improved to 6-0 in season openers under coach Nick Sirianni since
2021.
Hurts had his moments for the two-time reigning NFC East champions in Sean
Mannion's debut as offensive coordinator. Mannion is Hurts' fifth coordinator
in the last five seasons and their partnership showed early promise for the
former Super Bowl MVP.
Mannion's system worked out well for tight end Dallas Goedert, who had four
catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
The early big play came late in the first quarter when Hurts had multiple
targets open on a play-action and connected with Dontayvion Wicks for a 64-yard
reception. Wicks, acquired in an April trade from Green Bay, had the longest
reception of his career and gave the first signal that perhaps the Eagles will
be just fine at wideout after trading disgruntled star A.J. Brown to New
England.
Hurts finished the drive with a dart down the middle to Goedert for a 17-yard
score and a 7-3 lead. If the Eagles had questions at wide receiver --- and new
No. 1 receiver DeVonta Smith had only two targets in the first half, and just
three catches overall --- they are fine at tight end. Goedert, who had a
career-high 11 TD catches last season, again proved himself a trusted target.
Hurts added a 9-yard TD pass to Wicks in the second quarter for a 14-3 lead as
the Eagles ran a clean, crisp offense under Mannion. Saquon Barkley, who tailed
off last season after rushing for more than 2,000 yards in 2024 when the Eagles
won the Super Bowl, ripped off a 42-yard run to set up Wicks' TD.
Yet the offense largely cooled off behind a shaky line that gave Hurts little
time to throw. Meanwhile, the defense --- anchored by all-everywhere linebacker
Zack Baun --- rarely let Daniels break free long enough to sting the Eagles
until the fourth.
Daniels --- who went 18 of 34 for 164 yards --- avoided a sack, spun and
scrambled for a 13-yard gain on the final play of the third quarter. He had
time in the pocket to hit a wide-open Williams for a 33-yard gain and then hit
Stefon Diggs after the veteran receiver beat Cooper DeJean in the slot for a
10-yard touchdown.
Diggs, whose string of personal issues made him available even after he had 99
catches for 1,123 yards for the AFC champion New England Patriots, was flagged
for unsportsmanlike conduct when he jumped and bear-hugged the goal post before
he landed on his back.
The Commanders might have gone for 2, but the 15-yard penalty forced them to
settle for the extra point that made it 17-16.
Hurts hit Goedert on the next drive for a 43-yard score and a 24-16 lead.
Drew Stevens kicked a 55-yard field goal for the Commanders and Jacory
Croskey-Merritt added a 1-yard run that cut the Eagles' lead to 14-9 at
halftime.
Jake Elliott's 35-yard field with 44 seconds left in the third quarter
stretched the lead to 17-9.
Injuries Commanders: LB Frankie Luvu suffered a groin injury. TE Chip Okonkow had a hamstring injury. S Tyler Owens injured an ankle.
Up next Commanders: Keep it in the NFC East with a game next Sunday at Dallas. Eagles: At Tennessee next Sunday. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
Injuries Commanders: LB Frankie Luvu suffered a groin injury. TE Chip Okonkow had a hamstring injury. S Tyler Owens injured an ankle.
Up next Commanders: Keep it in the NFC East with a game next Sunday at Dallas. Eagles: At Tennessee next Sunday. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here
