Hurts and Goedert Edge Washington in a Two-Point Thriller
Philadelphia survived a serious push from Washington, 24-22, on a Sunday afternoon that came down to the final margin. Jalen Hurts threw three touchdown passes on 14-of-25 passing for 203 yards, but this one was far from comfortable.
Hurts did enough to win, but the story of this game was how hard Washington made Philadelphia work for it. Jayden Daniels finished 18-of-34 for 164 yards and two touchdown passes, and he looked like a quarterback who belongs in this division. Jacory Croskey-Merritt carried the ball 16 times for 63 yards and a score, giving Washington a credible ground threat that kept the Philadelphia defense honest all afternoon. Antonio Williams added four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown out of the backfield, and for long stretches it appeared Washington had the answers to match whatever Philadelphia threw at them.
On the Philadelphia side, Dallas Goedert was the difference-maker. He hauled in four catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns — the kind of performance that reminds you why a healthy Goedert changes the calculus for this offense entirely. Dontayvion Wicks chipped in two catches for 73 yards and a score, providing the kind of explosive chunk play that Washington's secondary couldn't consistently contain. Hurts also contributed on the ground, carrying seven times for 46 yards, keeping the chains moving when the passing game needed a reset. Three touchdown passes on 14 completions is an efficient day by any measure, even if the completion percentage leaves something to be desired.
The final margin of two points tells you everything about how this one played out. Washington had the talent and the game plan to make this a fight, and they did exactly that. Daniels looks like a quarterback who won't be rattled by a hostile environment, and the combination of Croskey-Merritt on the ground and Williams as a receiving weapon out of the backfield appears to give Washington genuine offensive flexibility. Philadelphia gets the win — and in a division this competitive, two points is two points — but the Eagles will want cleaner execution if they expect to coast through the NFC East. This looks like a Washington team that will be in a lot of these games before the season is done.