Commanders vs. Eagles score, takeaways: Julio Jones' fourth-quarter TD keys Philadelphia's shootout win

Jones made his one catch count in getting the Eagles to 7-1

LANDOVER, Md. -- Just two games into his Philadelphia Eagles career, Julio Jones showcased the greatness that makes him a future Hall of Fame receiver. Jones caught the go-ahead touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles a thrilling 38-31 victory over the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field on Sunday. 

Jones caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts with 7:17 left to give Philadelphia its first lead of the day at 31-24. This was his first touchdown catch with the team after signing him two weeks ago. The touchdown catch came after Reed Blankenship intercepted Sam Howell for the Eagles' first takeaway of the game. 

The Commanders had an opportunity to respond, but Terry McLaurin dropped a wide-open pass in the middle of the field when Washington faced a fourth-and-8 at the Philadelphia 40-yard line with 4:13 left. After the Eagles went three-and-out, Washington was stopped on fourth-and-5 after Haason Reddick sacked Howell and forced the fumble to force a turnover on downs. Reddick's sack was the only one for the Eagles all game. 

D'Andre Swift's four-yard touchdown run with 1:50 left give the Eagles a two-touchdown lead, but the Commanders scored a late touchdown to cut the deficit to 38-31 with 1:01 left. Philadelphia recovered the onside kick to seal the win.

Here's a look at our key takeaways from the game:

Why the Eagles won

The Eagles offense did have two fumbles inside the 5 yard line, but still managed to put up 38 points in the win (28 of which came in the second half). Jalen Hurts went 9 of 13 for 140 yards and three touchdowns in the second half (144.2 rating), finding A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Julio Jones on the scores. Philadelphia made some clutch defensive plays in the fourth quarter, starting with Reed Blankenship's interception and stopping Washington on downs twice in a one possession game. The Eagles weren't perfect by any means, but they won the game thanks to a big second half. 

Why the Commanders lost

Washington had an excellent game plan against Philadelphia's new look secondary, finding openings in the middle of the field to move the chains and get points on the board. When push game to shove, situational football hurt the Commanders. Sam Howell threw a crucial fourth-quarter interception in his own territory in a tie game that helped the Eagles take the lead, Terry McLaurin dropped a fourth down catch that would have extended the drive in a one possession game, and the offensive line allowed their first sack on fourth down late when the score was 31-24. The little miscues for the Commanders added up. 

Turning point

Blankenship's interception off Sam Howell on second-and-15 in a 24-24 game set the Eagles up for Julio Jones' go-ahead touchdown two plays later. The Eagles scored on a long DeVonta Smith touchdown to tie the game at 24-24 with 8:47 left as Washington responded with the turnover three plays after the score. The Eagles safeties were struggling in coverage all day, but Blankenship's interception was the turnover they needed to help put them in position to finally take the lead. 

Jones scored the go-ahead touchdown with 7:22 left to give the Eagles the lead for good. 

Play of the game

A.J. Brown's one-handed touchdown catch with 34 seconds left in the second quarter was the play of the year for the Eagles, as he corralled the pass in the back corner of the end zone to cut the Eagles' deficit to 14-10 late in the second quarter. 

Brown admitted after the game he practiced that catch Friday and knew he could pull it off in a game. He finished with eight catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. 

The quote

"Who James? Who James? I call him James Jet man. They worked on it long enough in practice (this week), so we were like, 'It better work.' We were all excited, man, for the vet to get into the end zone." -- A.J. Brown on Julio Jones' touchdown catch. 

Up next

The Eagles (7-1) host the Cowboys next Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field while the Commanders (3-5) travel to New England to face the Patriots in Week 9. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 4:17 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

DeVonta Smith recovers the onsides kick and the Eagles win. They go to 7-1.

[Oct 29, 2023 at 4:12 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Not over yet. Sam Howell finds Jameson Crowder to cut the Eagles' lead to 38-31, 4 plays, 72 yards in 49 seconds.

Eagles need an onside kick to seal this one. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 4:09 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

D'Andre Swift seals the win for the Eagles with a 7-yard TD run. The Eagles are going to go to 7-1 heading into next weeks' showdown with the Cowboys. They scored 28 points in the 2nd half. The Commanders will fall to 3-5 with a lot of questions looking over this franchise with the trade deadline approaching. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 4:02 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Just call Haason Reddick the closer. Sack and forced fumble on fourth down. That's the only sack for the Eagles all day.

[Oct 29, 2023 at 4:01 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Washington loses the challenge.

Incomplete pass. 4th-and-5 from the #Commanders 25 coming.

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:54 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles go three and out on their most crucial drive of the game. Right after Terry McLaurin dropped a fourth down pass in the middle of the field to force a turnover on downs. 

31-24 Eagles. 3:09 left. Commanders have ball at 20. Two timeouts left. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:39 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Julio Jones gives the #Eagles their first lead of the day.

First TD as an Eagle. That's the 4th TD pass of the game for Jalen Hurts.

Two plays after Reed Blankenship's INT turns the game around. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:31 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Commanders had a busted coverage and DeVonta Smith was wide open for the 38-yard TD.

The Eagles tie this up with 8:47 left.

Jalen Hurts is 28-of-35 for 310 yards and 3 TD (132.1 rating).

Smith has 7 catches for 99 yards and a TD. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:26 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

A.J. Brown has 6 straight games with 125+ receiving yards.

That's an NFL record.

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:25 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Sam Howell is 62-of-80 for 594 yards with 4 TD and 0 INT in 2 games against the #Eagles this season.

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:21 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Reed Blankenship beaten by Logan Thomas in the slot.

The Eagles DBs are getting beaten in the middle of the field all day.

The Commanders take a 24-17 lead. 12:03 left

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:18 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Commanders are 6-of-9 on third down after that Sam Howell run. 1st and goal now. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:12 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

At the end of the 3rd, it's 17-17. Exciting 4th quarter coming folks. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:11 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Carter is questionable to return with a back injury.

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:03 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Commanders wanted offensive PI on A.J. Brown.

Illegal contact was called and A.J. Brown caught the TD anyway.

Brown -- 7 catches, 113 yards, 2 TD.

Basically unguardable right now. This game is tied 17-17.

[Oct 29, 2023 at 3:01 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

DeVonta Smith found a way to get open on that 4th down.

Great protection by the O-Line to give Jalen Hurts time.

17-yard gain and Eagles are within striking distance.  

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:56 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Big return by Britain Covey after the Eagles defense bails the offense out from the fumble.

25-yard return from BC. The Eagles are still down just one score despite fumbling twice inside the 5. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:52 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Amazing the Commanders don't target Jahan Dotson more than they do. 6 catches for 91 yards and a TD today. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:49 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts has 11 turnovers in 8 games.

8 INT, 3 fumbles

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:48 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles fumbled at the 1. 2nd turnover inside the 5.

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:46 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

A.J. Brown said something to Benjamin St. Juste after that incomplete pass on 4th down.

The foul was illegal use of hands and PI on St. Juste.

Brown had him beat -- and then some.

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:44 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

D'Andre Swift has 3 carries for 18 yards this drive.

Had 1 carry for 3 yards in first half. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:30 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

That Joey Slye 61-yard FG is the longest in Commanders history. First 60+ yard FG in Washington history.

Commanders up 17-10 at half. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:18 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

A.J. Brown is something else.

One-handed grab for the TD. He just Mossed the Commanders.

6 catches, 88 yards, TD -- in the first half

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:13 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Big PBU by James Bradberry on 4th down to force that turnover on downs. Up to the Eagles to get points and capitalize before the half. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:03 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Commanders are 3-of-4 on third down. Eagles defense taken to school in middle of field. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 2:02 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles leave Rashaad Penny inactive every week.

Biggest mystery to me. Don't know why he and D'Andre Swift don't split the carries like they should. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 1:56 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Another 3rd down catch for A.J. Brown.

He has 5 catches for 72 yards in the first half.

Kenneth Gainwell fumbles at the 4. WSH ball. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 1:54 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

A.J. Brown with 2 big catches this drive. He has four catches for 52 yards so far. 

[Oct 29, 2023 at 1:46 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Sam Howell with his 2nd TD pass in the first 17 minutes.

Looks like Jahan Dotson beat Sydney Brown for the score.

10 plays, 75 yards, 4:31.

Commanders having their way with Eagles early. Up 14-3.