“When they last met” is an ongoing series during NFL seasons, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on Washington’s schedule.
Washington 20, Philadelphia 14 – Week 17, January 03, 2021
Needing a win to capture the NFC East, the Washington Football Team scored the game’s final ten points, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 20-14 on NBC Sunday Night Football at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Trailing 14-10, the Washington defense stopped the Eagles, giving the ball back to Washington at their own 45-yard line with 1:24 remaining in the first half.
QB Alex Smith completed six passes in a 10-play 55-yard drive, climaxing in Smith finding TE Logan Thomas from 13 yards with 20 seconds left in the first half, providing Washington a 17-14 halftime lead.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Chase Young recovered a Nate Sudfeld fumble at the Eagles’ 35, returning it ten yards to the 25.
A holding penalty on right tackle Morgan Moses hindered the WFT from converting the turnover to a touchdown, and on third & 15 Smith found J.D. McKissic for six yards to the Philadelphia 24. Dustin Hopkins then extended the Washington lead to 20-14 with his 42-yard field goal with 7:46 to play in the regular-season finale.
Washington had jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead when they drove 91 yards in 15 plays as Smith connected with Terry McLaurin from five yards for a 7-0 lead. Two plays later Kamren Curl intercepted Jalen Hurts, leading to Dustin Hopkins’ 42-yard field goal, and it looked like Washington might run away with the division title.
However, Hurts then rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns (both from six yards), and Washington was down 14-10, needing to respond if they were to obtain a playoff spot, by earning the NFC East Division title.
The win enabled Washington to sweep the season series from the Eagles, having defeated Philadelphia in a Week 1 home opener 27-17, after trailing the Eagles 17-0 in the second quarter.
Here are the highlights of the Week 17 game.