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DeVonta Smith takes blame for Eagles loss to Commanders after costly drop

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kelsey Kramer | Last updated Dec 23, 2024 3:09 PM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles entered Week 16 with 10 straight wins under their belt, but that hot streak was broken after the Washington Commanders beat them in the final seconds, 36-33.

The Eagles had a chance to get ahead and seal the victory in the fourth quarter, but a costly dropped ball by wide receiver DeVonta Smith on 3rd-and-5 forced them to settle for a field goal.

“I just dropped the ball,” Smith said following the loss. “I ain’t gonna beat myself up over it. It’s life. It’s part of the game. I made all the tough catches today and the easiest one I had, I dropped. It is what it is. …It cost us the game. Ain’t nobody else’s fault but mine.”

Smith's mistake ultimately gave the Commanders a perfect two minutes to come back and win the game, which resulted in a Jayden Daniels touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder on the final play as time expired.

JAYDEN DANIELS. COMMANDERS TAKE THE LEAD WITH 6 SECONDS.#PHIvsWAS pic.twitter.com/BcKGpEBIsl
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024

While Smith took most of the blame for the Eagles' third loss of the season, he was far from the only Eagles player that one could point fingers at.

“Listen, we wouldn’t be in that position in that game without him to begin with,” backup quarterback Kenny Pickett said. “He’s an unbelievable player. He knows that we’re going to throw him the football, and A.J. (Brown), no matter what. There’s not an ounce of confidence lost in 6.”

Pickett could be suiting up to start in place of concussed Jalen Hurts next week, so it is crucial that he doesn't lose confidence in his targets as the Eagles look to wrap up their regular season at home against the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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