The Washington Commanders outlasted the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football, winning 27-10 in Landover, Maryland. The Eagles have now lost six consecutive games to drop to 2-6 on the regular season. Philadelphia is also now in last place in the lowly NFC East. Here are my five takeaways from Philadelphia’s loss in Week 8.
Nick Sirianni Is As Good as Gone
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was on the hot seat entering this game but now it’s likely turned into lava. It felt like Sirianni made countless mistakes throughout the game as he mismanaged timeouts to end the first half and ultimately handed the Commanders three extra points. But that’s not all, Sirianni’s inconsistent aggression continues to put the Eagles in bad spots.
In the past, Sirianni’s aggression was one of the main calling cards for Philadelphia’s offense. Yet he has struggled to do so this season and it’s led to the team feeling awkwardly unsure of themselves. That was embodied by a single play when the Eagles called a give-up run with Saquon Barkley to end the first half.
That’s right! The same Barkley that was dealing with two injuries entering the game and clearly on a pitch count. It was another nonsensical decision in a night full of them by Sirianni and his coaching staff. The Eagles are now 2-6 and in last place in the NFC East, which is unfamiliar territory for Sirianni. But my guess is that he won’t be back to try and right the ship in 2027.
Offensive Line Remains Offensive
It felt like Philadelphia’s offense found some life in Week 7, especially along the offensive line. Yet that didn’t translate to Sunday night, as Philadelphia’s offensive line struggled mightily against Washington’s defensive front. The Commanders spammed stunts and blitzes, just as they did with plenty of success against the Eagles in Week 1.
Similar to the regular season opener, the Eagles had absolutely no idea how to deal with what the Commanders were bringing. Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee was sacked a total of five times, lost a fumble and threw an interception. Philadelphia’s offensive line also struggled to generate much of a push in the running game, as the team’s running backs averaged 2.6 yards per carry.
Missing: Eagles Pass Rush
While the Commanders were able to rattle McKee with their pass rush, the Eagles were unable to do the same. Philadelphia’s pass rush was essentially non-existent as the team struggled to get to Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has been forced to blitz more than he would and try uncharacteristic things to generate any semblance of a pass rush.
It was another disappointing performance from the team’s high-priced defensive front. While Eagles interior defensive lineman Jalen Carter registered a sack (which was mostly created by Moro Ojomo), he was mostly quiet outside of that. The Eagles are paying Carter, Jordan Davis and Jonathan Greenard to change the game upfront — and they haven’t been able to do so through the team’s first eight games.
(Not So) Special Teams
It’s safe to say that it hasn’t been a great season for Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay. Prior to Sunday night’s game, the Eagles had struggled in essentially every aspect on special teams except kicking as Jake Elliott was hot. Yet even Elliott struggled as he missed a 41-yard field goal that ended any hope of a comeback for the Eagles.
Philadelphia’s special teams unit made far too many mistakes, whether it was penalties or allowing long returns. The Eagles made Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey look like an All-Pro returner. McCaffrey had a 44-yard kickoff return and a 27-yard punt return on Sunday night. McCaffrey’s performance put the exclamation mark on another miserable performance from Philadelphia’s special teams unit.
Howie Roseman Must Be a Seller
There’s no more false hope in the City of Brotherly Love. The Eagles are 2-6 and in last place in the NFC East. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman needs to have the self-awareness to admit that this team, as currently constructed, isn’t going anywhere this season. While Roseman is normally a buyer at the NFL’s trade deadline, he can’t afford to do so in 2026.
Roseman must embrace being a seller and move as many players as possible for future draft picks. While I understand the optics of doing so — are we watching the same team right now? The morale is shot in Philadelphia and it’s no longer time to cling onto something that clearly isn’t there. Roseman needs to be smart and move on from players that likely won’t be returning in 2027 such as Moro Ojomo, Riq Woolen, Dallas Goedert and Hollywood Brown.