Commanders Show Fight in Loss to Eagles, but Depth and Discipline Issues Persist
No one expected the Washington Commanders to pull off an upset against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday night. And while the final score - a 29-18 home loss - reflects the gap between these two teams, the Commanders' second- and third-stringers showed flashes of fight against a playoff-caliber opponent. It wasn’t pretty, but there were moments where Washington’s reserves stood tall, even as the odds - and the officiating - tilted against them.
With injuries mounting and journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson under center, Dan Quinn’s squad was forced to lean heavily on depth pieces. The result was a gritty, if ultimately futile, effort in front of a home crowd that’s seen more downs than ups this season. With two games remaining - including a rematch with these same Eagles - Washington is staring down the end of a tough campaign, but not without a few bright spots worth highlighting.
Let’s break down the standouts and struggles from Saturday night’s matchup.
Studs
Bobby Wagner
Wagner came alive in the second half.
After a quiet opening two quarters, the veteran linebacker flipped the switch and started flying around the field. He ended the night with 10 total tackles, including two for loss, a sack, and three quarterback pressures.
He also added a key run stop that helped stall a drive. At a time when effort can wane late in a lost season, Wagner looked like a man still chasing greatness - and with just 15 tackles to go until he hits the 2,000 mark for his career, he’s got history in his sights.
Mike Sainristil
He wasn’t flawless in coverage, but Sainristil continues to show a knack for making timely plays.
He set the tone early by forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff - a heads-up play that Kain Medrano recovered. Add in a pass defended and four solo tackles, and it’s clear he’s becoming a dependable presence in the secondary.
There’s still room for growth, but the instincts are there.
Duds
Von Miller
It was a forgettable outing for the veteran edge rusher.
Miller looked disengaged for much of the night, struggling to set the edge and offering little in the way of disruption. For someone with his pedigree, the lack of impact was glaring - especially against an Eagles offensive line that gave Washington opportunities to make plays.
Quan Martin
The tackling woes continue for Martin.
He missed several open-field stops, and his night ended early after he was ejected for fighting. It’s been a tough stretch for the young defensive back, and the lack of discipline only compounds the concerns.
Tyler Biadasz
The offensive line struggled across the board, but Biadasz had an especially rough night.
He gave up multiple pressures, allowed a sack, and was ineffective in the run game. With protection breaking down quickly, Josh Johnson had little time to operate - and Biadasz was often at the center of that collapse.
Officiating Crew (Craig Wrolstad and crew)
While it's never just about the refs, this game had more than its share of questionable calls that didn’t go Washington’s way.
A no-call on what looked like blatant pass interference in the end zone, phantom penalties that wiped out key plays, and a dubious offsides call on a missed field goal all contributed to a frustrating night. The Commanders didn’t lose because of the officiating, but it certainly didn’t help.
Quick Hits and Notes
- Josh Johnson struggled mightily. The veteran backup delivered one of the worst throws of the season - a gift-wrapped interception to Cooper DeJean - and never looked comfortable in the pocket. He’s a stopgap at best, and Saturday night showed just how limited the offense is with him under center.
- Treylon Burks continues to make the most of his opportunities. He hauled in everything thrown his way, even while fighting through tight coverage. The Commanders would be wise to prioritize keeping him around - his hands and toughness are assets this team needs.
- Drake Jackson didn’t record a sack in his debut, but he flashed some real potential. He generated pressure, set the edge well, and looked explosive off the line. There’s something to build on there.
- Jordan Magee showed off his speed in space. Whether it was chasing down ball carriers or closing on plays from the backside, Magee’s range jumped off the screen.
- Javon Kinlaw was a force when locked in. He’s not always consistent, but when he’s playing with fire, he’s a load to deal with up front.
- Johnny Newton has yet to make a meaningful impact. For a player with his college pedigree, the lack of production is becoming harder to ignore.
- Jake Moody continues to be automatic. He’s yet to miss a field goal since joining the Commanders - a rare bright spot in the special teams unit.
- Dan Quinn may have coached conservatively, and some might argue he played not to win. But in a season like this, where draft position is looming large, that approach could pay dividends down the line.
The Commanders didn’t pull off a miracle, but they didn’t roll over either. For a team that’s been battered by injuries, inconsistency, and a revolving door at quarterback, Saturday night was a reminder that there’s still some fight left in the locker room. Whether that translates into progress over these final two games - or into a stronger foundation for 2026 - remains to be seen.