Honestly, if you just glanced at the Eagles vs Commanders box score from Sunday, January 4, 2026, you might think it was just another late-season NFC East slog. A 24-17 final in favor of Washington. Typical divisional grit, right? But the numbers on that sheet tell a story that's way more chaotic than a simple seven-point margin.
It was a game where the stats lied and the scoreboard told the truth—but only at the very last second.
The Stat Sheet That Defied Logic
Philadelphia walked into Lincoln Financial Field having already clinched the division a few weeks prior. They were the No. 3 seed regardless of what happened. Because of that, we saw Tanner McKee under center instead of Jalen Hurts.
Looking at the Eagles vs Commanders box score, Philadelphia actually outgained Washington. 307 total yards to 274. Usually, when you outgain an opponent and win the turnover battle (2-1), you’re walking away with a "W." Not this time.
The real killer? Penalties. The Eagles were flagged 9 times for a staggering 123 yards.
You can't win professional football games when you give up more than a football field's worth of free real estate. Washington, meanwhile, played a clean game with only 4 penalties for 19 yards. That discipline was the quiet engine behind their upset.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | Commanders | Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0 | 0 |
| 2nd | 10 | 7 |
| 3rd | 0 | 10 |
| 4th | 14 | 0 |
| Final | 24 | 17 |
The first quarter was a defensive staring contest. Jake Moody "doinked" a 24-yard field goal off the right upright, wasting a massive 17-play drive by Washington. It was ugly.
Then things got interesting.
Tanner McKee and the 1,000-Yard Milestone
Tanner McKee finished 21-of-40 for 241 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He looked sharp early, especially when targeting DeVonta Smith.
Speaking of Smith, he needed a big day to hit his season goals. He got it. On a 27-yard jump ball late in the first, Smith officially crossed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the third time in his career. The Linc erupted, but the celebration was short-lived.
McKee found Grant Calcaterra for a 15-yard score in the second, but the Commanders answered almost immediately. Chris Rodriguez Jr. punched it in from the 1-yard line to tie it.
The Jalyx Hunt Factor
If there's one name you need to circle from this Eagles vs Commanders box score, it's Jalyx Hunt. The second-year linebacker was everywhere. He picked off Josh Johnson in the second quarter and later recovered a fumbled snap in the third.
He ended the season with a team-high three interceptions. For a developmental prospect, Hunt is starting to look like a legitimate cornerstone for this defense.
How Washington Stole the Fourth Quarter
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Eagles held a 17-10 lead thanks to a Tank Bigsby touchdown and a Jake Elliott field goal. It felt like Philly was going to cruise to a low-energy victory.
Then the flags started flying.
Two massive pass interference penalties in the end zone gifted Washington a short porch. Josh Johnson, the veteran traveler, didn't miss. He hit John Bates for a 2-yard score to tie it at 17-17.
The Eagles' offense went cold. Three and out.
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Washington took over with about eight minutes left and chewed up over six minutes of clock. Josh Johnson capped off the comeback with a 1-yard touchdown run of his own.
With 2:37 left and all three timeouts, McKee had a chance for a legacy-defining drive. He moved the ball to the Washington 31-yard line, but a 4th-and-3 pass fell incomplete. Game over.
Practical Takeaways from the Matchup
If you’re looking at this through a betting or fantasy lens, or just trying to figure out what this means for the playoffs, here are the cold hard facts:
- Tank Bigsby is the real deal: With 16 carries for 75 yards and 92 total scrimmage yards, he proved he can handle a heavy workload if Saquon Barkley needs a breather in the Wild Card round.
- Secondary depth is a concern: Giving up 123 penalty yards—mostly in the secondary—is a massive red flag. Playoff officials might be more lenient, but you can't count on it.
- Josh Johnson's efficiency: He didn't put up monster numbers (131 yards), but he managed the game. Washington controlled the clock for 34 minutes, keeping Philly’s defense tired.
The Eagles now prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round. They'll need to clean up the discipline issues that plagued them here. Washington heads into the offseason with the No. 7 overall pick and a bit of momentum after spoiling their rival's regular-season finale.
To prep for the playoffs, keep an eye on the injury report for the Eagles' defensive front, as the lack of sacks in this game suggests they might have been playing with some "business decisions" in mind before the real season starts.