By Howard Fendrich
AP National Writer
Dan Quinn’s Washington Commanders showed more fight after a late 2-point conversion by the Philadelphia Eagles than they have during many plays and games in this 4-11 season filled with lopsided losses.
All of those punches, and all of that pushing and shoving, did nothing to change the result Dec. 20 — Washington allowed Philadelphia to win 29-18 and clinch a second consecutive NFC East title — but could make things interesting when these division rivals meet again in Week 18.
“If that’s how they want to get down, all good,” Quinn said when asked whether Eagles coach Nick Sirianni’s choice to try to add on those two points instead of kicking for one was disrespectful. “We’ll play them again in two weeks.”
Well, then.
Far too often, that sort of attitude has been missing from Washington’s on-field makeup. Sure, injury after injury has taken a toll on the roster — and no health issues have been more disruptive or concerning than those that limited star quarterback Jayden Daniels to seven games before he was shut down for the season — but too often, the Commanders have failed to even be competitive.
Whether falling behind by 18 or 19 on Dec. 20 with about 4 1/2 minutes left would have made a difference, a lot of the same themes arise week after week in lopsided games, particularly when it comes to a defense that can’t really seem to stop anyone.
Washington actually was in this one for a half and led 10-7 at the break.
“The energy was there today. The focus was there. The preparation was there,” Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin said. “We liked where we were going into halftime.”
But as Quinn noted, that sort of energy “has to be for the whole time.”
Instead, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the rest of the Eagles took over in the second half.
The last time these two teams played, a berth in the Super Bowl was at stake in the NFC title game. The Eagles, of course, won that one, too, on their way to becoming NFL champions.
This Commanders squad is a far cry from last season’s.
What’s working
CB Mike Sainristil is a turnover machine. Washington only has nine takeaways all season — only the New York Jets, with three, have fewer — and Sainristil is responsible for more than half of those. He has a team-leading four interceptions and added to his total by forcing a fumble by Philadelphia’s Will Shipley on the opening kickoff Saturday. Teammate Kain Medrano recovered the ball at Philadelphia’s 26, and the Commanders ended up with a field goal for an early lead.
What needs help
What doesn’t? The biggest problem remains the defense, though. Barkley’s 12-yard TD run in the fourth quarter, in which he broke at least four tackles, was emblematic of Washington’s problems on that side of the ball.
Stock up
It’s truly hard to find anyone or anything that is a positive at this point in the season. There are so many injuries, so many poor performances, so many reasons to be thinking about needs for general manager Adam Peters to address in the next draft and free agency.
Stock down
Some players’ composure. That brawl in the fourth quarter really was unnecessary, and resulted in the ejections of defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw and safety Quan Martin. The league surely will hand out some additional punishments. Right after the game, Quinn lingered on the field for a bit just to make sure there weren’t going to be any more confrontations. “Just wanted to make sure anything didn’t go sideways,” he explained.
Injuries
With Daniels’ season already done, Marcus Mariota was supposed to start at QB the rest of the way. But Mariota left in the third quarter after injuring his throwing hand, leaving third-stringer Josh Johnson under center. … WR Jaylin Lane left Dec. 20 with an ankle injury, LT Brandon Coleman — who started in place of Laremy Tunsil (oblique) hurt his shin, and RG Sam Cosmi and DT Johnny Newton were evaluated for concussions.
Key number
4 — The number of passes Dec. 20 it took for Johnson to throw an interception.
Next steps
On Dec. 25, Washington plays a game that truly means nothing to the Commanders, their opponents — the Dallas Cowboys — or anyone else, really. Both Washington and Dallas have been eliminated from playoff contention.
