It was clearly over by halftime.
The Eagles outgained Washington 322-50. Philadelphia accumulated 276 passing yards in the opening half alone. Meanwhile, the Commanders were in the hole in passing yards registering -16.
When you read those numbers, it’s a wonder the Commanders were down “only” 24-0 at the half.
Sunday afternoon, it appeared the entire defensive front wearing green was a complete mismatch for the offensive line of the team wearing the white jerseys.
Fletcher Cox reintroduced himself to Carson Wentz early in the first quarter. Early, the interior of the Commanders’ offensive line was simply being pushed right back into Carson Wentz. Repeatedly, Wentz was not allowed to step up into a pocket. Good grief, he was sacked four times in the first quarter!
Benjamin St-Juste defended three passes in the first half, filling in for the injured and inactive William Jackson III. See, I really am looking for something positive to acknowledge from the first half.
But once the Eagles offense was warmed up, receiver DeVonta Smith himself had gained three times as many yards receiving alone as the Commanders gained both rushing and passing in the first half (156-50). The Eagles thumping the Commanders 24-0 in the half, coupled with last week’s disaster in Detroit, means the Commanders have been outscored 46-0 in the last two first halves.
Are the players not ready to play? If so, why aren’t they? Are the players prepared by the coaches’ game plan to play? If not, why aren’t they? The Commanders’ offense was completely dominated by the Eagles. The offense was left looking like a JV team competing against a varsity defense. Sorry, but it’s the truth.
24-0 at the half and the final was 24-8, but I think each and every one of us watching the game knows it could have been worse, much worse.
Offensive tackle Charles Leno might have best summed up the offensive line’s inability to get any movement in the first half, “It’s like we were constipated. We couldn’t get s*** going.”