In their Week 16 win over the Washington Commanders, the Philadelphia Eagles put together a performance that was equal parts gritty and explosive - a familiar formula for this 2024 squad. They ran 70 offensive snaps and 54 on defense, and while the first half had its share of misfires, the Eagles found their rhythm late and pulled away. Let’s break down the snap counts, key performances, and why this team continues to look like a serious postseason threat.
Quarterback
- Jalen Hurts - 66 snaps
- Tanner McKee - 4 snaps
Hurts delivered the kind of game we’ve come to expect from him this season - not perfect, but steady and effective. He made some sharp throws, missed a few others, and was a factor in the run game.
Most importantly, he protected the football. The Eagles' offense sputtered early, but when Hurts settled in, so did the rest of the unit.
That second-half surge? Classic 2024 Eagles.
Running Back
- Saquon Barkley - 54 snaps
- Tank Bigsby - 8 snaps
- Will Shipley - 8 snaps
This was Barkley’s best game in midnight green. His 12-yard touchdown run - where he bounced off multiple tacklers - was vintage Saquon.
And that 48-yard burst after dodging a backfield loss? That’s what separates him from most backs in the league.
With the playoffs looming, it would make sense to give Bigsby more reps. He’s been a tough, downhill runner all season and brings a physical edge that complements Barkley well.
As for Shipley, a fumble on the opening kickoff nearly put Philly in a hole - the defense bailed him out.
Wide Receiver
- **A.J.
Brown** - 61 snaps
- DeVonta Smith - 60 snaps
- Jahan Dotson - 46 snaps
- Darius Cooper - 13 snaps
- Britain Covey - 1 snap
A.J. Brown continues to be a matchup nightmare.
He hauled in 9 catches for 95 yards and looked unstoppable against man coverage. Smith added 6 grabs for 42 yards and a score but also dropped a would-be touchdown.
Still, the Eagles’ top duo consistently found space - a credit to their route-running and Washington’s inability to adjust out of base defense when Philly went to 11 personnel. The middle of the field was wide open, and Hurts took advantage.
Tight End
- Dallas Goedert - 61 snaps
- Grant Calcaterra - 21 snaps
- Kylen Granson - 8 snaps
- E.J. Jenkins - 6 snaps
Goedert didn’t get a ton of volume - just three targets - but he made them count. Three catches, 32 yards, and a contested touchdown grab that marked his 10th score of the season. He’s been a red zone weapon all year, and even when he’s not heavily involved in the passing game, his presence draws attention.
Offensive Line
- Jordan Mailata - 70 snaps
- Fred Johnson - 70 snaps
- Landon Dickerson - 66 snaps
- Cam Jurgens - 66 snaps
- Tyler Steen - 66 snaps
- Matt Pryor - 7 snaps
- Brett Toth - 4 snaps
- Drew Kendall - 4 snaps
The offensive line held up well, giving Hurts time and opening lanes for Barkley to work. One concern: Tyler Steen’s involvement in a late-game scuffle could lead to a suspension.
That’s something the Eagles can’t afford down the stretch. On the bright side, Lane Johnson was warming up pregame and looks close to returning - a massive boost if he’s ready for Week 17.
Edge Defenders
- Nolan Smith - 40 snaps
- Jaelan Phillips - 38 snaps
- Jalyx Hunt - 30 snaps
Statistically, it was a quiet night for the edge rushers, but they did generate pressure. Nolan Smith is now off his pitch count, and that’s reflected in his increased workload. With Laremy Tunsil out for Washington, you might’ve expected more splash plays, but the group still made life uncomfortable for the Commanders' QB.
Interior Defensive Line
- Moro Ojomo - 43 snaps
- Jordan Davis - 33 snaps
- Byron Young - 26 snaps
- Brandon Graham - 9 snaps
- Ty Robinson - 6 snaps
Even without Jalen Carter, this unit has been disruptive. Graham and Young each notched a sack, while Davis was dominant - regularly collapsing the pocket and tossing blockers aside.
The group of Ojomo, Davis, Young, and Graham has stepped up in Carter’s absence, combining for 39 tackles, 8 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, and 10 QB hits over the last three games. If Carter comes back healthy, this rotation could be downright scary in the postseason.
Linebacker
- Zack Baun - 49 snaps
- Jihaad Campbell - 36 snaps
- Nakobe Dean - 13 snaps
- Jeremiah Trotter Jr. - 5 snaps
- Smael Mondon - 4 snaps
Dean left the game with a hamstring injury and didn’t return. He’s been outstanding since coming back from last year’s postseason knee injury, so this is a tough blow.
Rookie Jihaad Campbell stepped in and has quietly handled his role with maturity all season. Baun had one of his best games - flying around the field and finishing with 9 tackles.
Cornerback & Safety
- Quinyon Mitchell - 49 snaps
- Reed Blankenship - 49 snaps
- Cooper DeJean - 48 snaps
- Marcus Epps - 48 snaps
- Adoree’ Jackson - 39 snaps
- Michael Carter - 8 snaps
- Sydney Brown - 6 snaps
- Kelee Ringo - 5 snaps
- Jakorian Bennett - 5 snaps
- Brandon Johnson - 5 snaps
This secondary continues to shine. Cooper DeJean had a highlight-reel game: 8 targets, 4 completions allowed for just 32 yards, 4 pass breakups, and an interception.
Quinyon Mitchell? He’s been locking down his side of the field for weeks.
Against Washington: 3 targets, 1 catch, 6 yards, 2 PBUs, and a passer rating allowed of just 42.4. That’s now four straight games where he’s allowed fewer than 10 yards.
Blankenship also had one of his most complete performances of the season.
Three Stars of the Game
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Saquon Barkley
Passed the 1,000-yard mark for the fifth time in his career - or sixth, if you count his epic 2,000-yard 2024 season twice. He looked explosive, powerful, and playoff-ready.
⭐️⭐️ Quinyon Mitchell
The Eagles may have found a franchise corner with the 22nd pick in the 2024 draft. He’s playing like a seasoned vet, and quarterbacks are learning not to test him.
⭐️ Cooper DeJean
Somehow, the Eagles landed this guy at pick 40.
He’s everywhere - sticky in coverage, smart with positioning, and physical when needed. He’s quickly becoming a cornerstone in this defense.
Game Ball - Week 16: Saquon Barkley
Barkley gets his second game ball of the season, and he earned it. He was the engine behind the offense, and when the Eagles needed a spark, he delivered. As the regular season winds down, Barkley looks ready to carry the load into January.
This game wasn’t perfect, but it was very on-brand for the 2024 Eagles - a slow start, a second-half surge, and just enough dominance on both sides of the ball to pull away. With two games left and the playoffs on the horizon, this team is building momentum at the right time.