Philadelphia Eagles’ goals are bigger
Analysis
The Philadelphia Eagles have their sights on something bigger after becoming the first repeat NFC East champion in 20 years with their win over Washington.
The defending Super Bowl champs played one of their most complete games of the season offensively and defensively against the Commanders to clinch the division, marking the first time since Philadelphia won four in a row between 2001-04 that any NFC East team captured consecutive titles.
“Obviously, in this division, we’ve seen the data says it’s hard to repeat as winners in this division,” coach Nick Siranni said. “We’ll celebrate it. We’ve got a lot to clean up. And then we got a lot more goals on our mind.”
Namely, a second straight Lombardi Trophy.
Two weeks ago, that would have been laughed off by even the most ardent Eagles fans after three straight losses had Philadelphia looking nothing like the team that defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. But things can change quickly in the NFL and the Eagles followed a 31-0 get-well home blowout of the hapless Raiders on Dec. 14 with a really strong showing at Washington.
Jalen Hurts looked as good as he has all season while throwing for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns, with a 111.1 passer rating, and rushing for 40 more yards.
The same can be said for running back Saquon Barkley, who gained 132 yards and a score on 21 carries, including a punishing 12-yard TD run in the fourth quarter during which he broke at least five tackles to reach the end zone. He later broke off a 48-yard scamper to help ice the game.
Afterward, their comments about winning the division were muted compared to the outstanding performances they had just put forth.
“There’s a first time for everything,” Hurts said. “So, I’m just happy we were able to check that off the box.”
Said Barkley: “It’s a big deal. But it’s kinda like, you enjoy it for — you’re going to enjoy it now, take the day off, and then right back to work.”
Defensively, the Eagles held Washington to 130 passing yards, making it three consecutive games in which opposing offenses have failed to reach 150 yards through the air.





