The Eagles are getting the result they need in Chicago, but they haven’t handled things on their own end over the first 30 minutes of Week 18.
Jake Moody knocked a 56-yard field goal through the uprights as time expired in the second quarter and the Commanders have a 10-7 lead over the Eagles at halftime in Philadelphia.
The Eagles will be the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win and a Bears loss to the Lions. The Lions are up 13-0 over the Bears in that game.
The Eagles moved the ball well on their second possession and saw quarterback Tanner McKee hook up with wide receiver DeVonta Smith for a 27-yard first down on the way to a touchdown. Smith passed 1,000 receiving yards on the season on the catch and has not returned to the game.
The Commanders answered that scoring drive with one of their own. Chris Rodriguez scored from a yard out and the Eagles have some work to do if they want to have any chance to move up the ladder in the conference.
Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter returned to the lineup for last Sunday’s 13-12 win over the Bills after undergoing procedures on both shoulders.
He had a sack and blocked an extra point.
Carter, though, popped up on the injury report with a hip injury on Thursday and won’t play in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Commanders.
He missed practice again on Friday.
The Eagles also ruled out linebacker Nakobe Dean (hamstring), safety Marcus Epps (concussion) tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), right tackle Lane Johnson (foot) and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (ankle) remained out of practice.
Linebacker Jihaad Campbell (back, shoulder) has no injury designation.
Josh Johnson will get another start for the Commanders.
Head coach Dan Quinn ruled quarterback Marcus Mariota (right hand/quad) for Sunday’s season finale against the Eagles. That means Johnson will be QB1 for a second consecutive game.
Johnson finished the Christmas Day loss to the Cowboys 15-of-23 for 198 yards.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels (left elbow) has been a limited participant in practice, with Washington having made the decision to shut him down for the rest of the season.
Quinn has also ruled out left tackle Laremy Tunsil for the contest.
Washington’s full injury report with game statuses will be released later on Friday.
The Eagles won’t be playing their starters against the Commanders this Sunday.
Reports early this week said that they would be opting for rest heading into the playoffs and head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed it on Friday. The Eagles have a chance to move up to the No. 2 seed with a win and a Bears loss to the Lions, but Sirianni said that he’s prioritizing the chance to give his starters time off over moving up a line in the bracket.
“It’s not a guarantee we can get the No. 2 seed, but I can guarantee I can rest the starters,” Sirianni said. “Just thought that was the best thing for our football team right there.”
It will be the second straight season that Tanner McKee has gotten the start at quarterback in Week 18. The Eagles will be hoping that things unfold in a similar fashion to last year once they get to the postseason as well.
The Eagles got defensive tackle Jalen Carter back in the lineup last Sunday and he made an immediate impact upon his return with a sack and a blocked extra point in a 13-12 win over the Bills.
Carter missed time after having procedures on both shoulders and he was back on the injury report Thursday for a different reason. Carter sat out of practice with a hip injury after not being on the report at all on Wednesday.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean (hamstring), tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), right tackle Lane Johnson (foot), and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (ankle) remained out of practice. Linebacker Jihaad Campbell (back, shoulder) moved up to full participation. Tackle Cameron Williams was taken off the injury report after being activated from injured reserve.
The Eagles have not announced their plans for playing starters in Week 18, but it’s a good bet that any injured players will be on the sideline in hopes that they heal up for the team’s playoff opener.
