Despite the inconsistency that followed them throughout 2020, the Washington Football Team showed up when it mattered most and got the 20-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. This meant clinching the NFC East and securing them a playoff spot for the first time since 2015.
Having veteran quarterback Alex Smith back under center, Washington opened the game in a dominant fashion and scored in their first two possessions of the game.
Smith took the offense 91 yards down the field and capped it off with a TD throw to Terry McLaurin, while Dustin Hopkins followed with a 42-yard field goal on the next drive.
The Eagles bounced back in the second period, with quarterback Jale Hurts scoring consecutive rushing touchdowns and giving his team the lead with 1:36 left in the first half.
However, Washington’s offense showed up once again despite the clock running out. Smith connected with tight end Logan Thomas in the endzone to make it 17-14.
The second half was much less eventful, with defenses taking the spotlight. This resulted in seven combined punts, two interceptions by Philly, and one interception by Washington.
Washington did manage to put some points on the board, with Hopkins delivering another 42-yarder to extend the lead.
The win against Philly brought Washington to a 7-9 record for 2020. They became only the third team to win their division with a losing record after 2014’s Carolina Panthers (7-8-1) and 2010’s Seattle Seahawks (7-9).
Washington will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the playoffs on Saturday.
