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'SNF' takeaways: Commanders take down slumping Eagles
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

'SNF' takeaways: Commanders rattle Tanner McKee, take down slumping Eagles

The Washington Commanders stifled the Philadelphia Eagles and overcame a slow start in a 27-10 win on "Sunday Night Football" in a battle of NFC East foes.

Here are some takeaways from Sunday's NFL nightcap.

Key takeaway: Commanders defense rattles Eagles QB Tanner McKee

If Philadelphia's season was already in jeopardy coming into the night, Sunday's result may have been the last straw as the Eagles lost their sixth straight game and continue to deal with the aftermath of losing starting quarterback Jalen Hurts for the season.

The Commanders combined for five sacks on the Eagles' backup QB and forced a pair of turnovers, the first of which came when linebacker Dorance Armstrong forced the fumble just across midfield.

Then, with the Eagles in desperation mode, cornerback Rasul Douglas picked off McKee on a 4th-and-25 late in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles scored all 10 of their points in the opening quarter before once again struggling in the second half. They average the fewest second-half points per game (4.6 PPG) of any team in the league, and that continues to be a problem as the rash of injuries have clearly taken a toll.

The Commanders only have the 26th-ranked scoring defense (26 PPG), but they played like the much healthier team against the Eagles and made the key plays when they needed to.

In an NFC East division with just one team (New York Giants) above .500, anything is still possible just eight weeks into the season. If the defense can continue to create some pressure and QB Jayden Daniels can stay healthy, the Commanders could certainly make a run in a wide-open divisional race.

Game MVP: Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders

Daniels has put up better numbers statistically, but he was still 16-of-29 for 217 yards with one TD and zero interceptions, plus an additional 23 yards on the ground.

His lone TD came when he connected with WR Stefon Diggs for an eight-yard score to tie the game at 10.

And who can forget Daniels' throw from the end zone and the subsequent catch from tight end Chig Okonkwo that will be on all the highlight reels.

It has been no secret that Daniels has faced some injury setbacks and is still getting back to full strength after dislocating his left elbow in the Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

That said, this was his first win in over a year and a potential start of a resurgence as the Commanders look to keep pace in a division that continues to evolve each week.

Play of the Game: Jake Elliott's missed field goal

The turning point in this game came via a comedy of errors from Philadelphia while facing a 16-10 deficit in the fourth quarter.

A five-yard penalty for a false start forced the Eagles to rethink their decision to go for it on fourth down and instead opt for a field goal. That is when an illegal formation wiped out a made 36-yarder from Elliott before he missed the ensuing 41-yard attempt off the left upright.

There is no guarantee that a specific play would have changed the outcome. However, the Commanders went straight down the field and tacked on three more points before picking off McKee and scoring the game-sealing TD on their next offensive possession.

In a game as close as this one was until the closing moments, that turn of events proved extremely costly and paved the way for Washington to close out the win over its rivals.

Quote of the Night: "He's just that guy and I'm proud to be playing with him. It's an honor."

That was Commanders running back Rachaad White's response when asked by NBC Sports sideline reporter Melissa Stark to describe his connection with Daniels, who he was a college teammate with at Arizona State.

White had 11 carries for 55 yards and the game-sealing TD at the end, but he also dished out some respect to his QB, who rallied his team back after a slow start to the game.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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