Quarterback Jalen Hurts rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another as the host Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Washington Football Team 27-17 on Tuesday.
Hurts, who completed 20 of 26 passes for 296 yards, played for the first time in more than three weeks. He had been recuperating from a sprained ankle.
Miles Sanders gained 131 yards on 18 carries and Dallas Goedert caught seven passes for 135 yards for the Eagles (7-7), who remain in playoff contention following their second straight win.
Garrett Gilbert, signed Friday off the New England Patriots’ practice squad, started at quarterback for the Washington Football Team. It was just the second NFL start for Gilbert, who finished 20 of 31 for 194 yards.
Washington quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen stayed on the COVID list, along with numerous teammates.
Antonio Gibson and Jaret Patterson each rushed for a touchdown for Washington (6-8), which saw its playoff chances take a hit with the loss.
Washington took advantage of two first-quarter turnovers by the Eagles and went ahead 10-0. Gibson plunged in from the 1-yard line, and Brian Johnson soon added a 22-yard field goal.
Jake Elliott connected on a 20-yard field goal to close the Eagles within 10-3 midway through the second quarter.
Philadelphia tied the game at 10 when Hurts scored from the 1 with 1:29 remaining before halftime.
The Eagles drove 75 yards in six plays on the first possession of the third quarter, and Hurts’ second 1-yard rushing touchdown produced a 17-10 lead.
Washington’s depleted depth on defense was evident as the Eagles began to take control throughout the third. However, a key sack by Jonathan Allen forced the Eagles to settle for Elliott’s 37-yard field goal and a 20-10 advantage.
Washington responded with a seven-play, 69-yard drive as Patterson scored from the 1 to close within 20-17 with 11:44 to go.
The Eagles came back on their ensuing drive and moved ahead 27-17 when Hurts tossed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Greg Ward. The score capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive.
–Field Level Media