Washington Commanders’ and Their Wild Fourth-Down Gamble Against the Eagles
Sometimes in football, a single call is all it takes to shift the momentum of a game. That was certainly the case for the Washington Commanders during their hotly-contested matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on a cool Sunday afternoon. What probably seemed like a “bold” and gutsy fourth-down call ended up backfiring for the Commanders — and now, with the game in the rearview mirror, the questions are still lingering about that decision.
After a tight game filled with action, a key fourth-quarter play didn’t just give Philadelphia the ball at its 27-yard line — it shifted the story of the game entirely in favor of the Eagles. Instead of gaining a crucial first down, the Washington Commanders stalled and saw their lead slip away even faster than the fans in the stands could believe.
The Story Behind the Decision
It was late in the fourth quarter, and the Commanders were holding onto a slim 26-24 lead. Head coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy were ready to make a statement. With just over seven minutes left in the game and the ball on Philadelphia’s 34-yard line, Washington was looking at a potential fourth down. Most teams might have opted for the field goal, or at the very least tried to pin their opponent deep with a perfectly placed punt.
But the Commanders? They decided to roll the dice.
In a scenario that fans will be talking about for days, Washington went for it. Quarterback Sam Howell attempted to connect with wide receiver Curtis Samuel, but the play was blown up when the Eagles’ defense, led by a near-perfect blitz setup, snuffed out the pass. Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow came screaming off the edge to apply pressure, ultimately forcing an incompletion and turnover on downs.
The Eagles took over possession and quickly scored, eventually widening the score to a 38-31 win. It was a bitter defeat for the Commanders, who initially looked poised to potentially steal the game from an NFC powerhouse.
What Went Wrong for Washington?
After the game, Defensive Coordinator, Dan Quinn, admitted that the aggressive call to go for it on fourth down was calculated, but sometimes things don’t go the way you draw them up on the whiteboard. “That’s one we can fix,” Quinn said, reflecting on the type of pressure that the Eagles brought to the play. But what was particularly frustrating for Commanders fans is how things unfolded afterward.
Following the turnover on downs, the Eagles marched down the field with Jalen Hurts leading the offense, and the result was a swift touchdown. Things appeared to fall apart for Washington, faced with the realization that one single moment tipped the entire game in the Eagles’ favor.
The Commanders Speak Out
After the game, the players and coaches defended their decision-making process. Head coach Ron Rivera described the moment as “bold” but regretted the execution. “We practice these situations all the time,” Rivera shared. “It’s not about a lack of preparation. It’s a tough call, and we wanted to win that football game. Sometimes you have to take chances.”
Sam Howell, the man under the spotlight during this key moment, stepped in front of the cameras as well. While he wasn’t perfect during the game, throwing a couple of interceptions that set the team back, Howell stood by the aggressive nature of the fourth-down play call. “I love the confidence (from the coaches),” he said. “It just didn’t work out this time, but we’re going to keep getting better.” Fans appreciated the grit Howell has shown this season, but the reality of a lost opportunity stung.
Why Gamble? The Analytics Behind It All
As much as this was a gutsy play, the decision to go for it on fourth down was overwhelmingly backed by modern football analytics. Nowadays, the NFL isn’t just about gut feelings; data plays a significant role in these high-pressure situations. Across the league, fourth-down aggression has taken a major upswing. Teams are no longer afraid to push the envelope, backed by numbers that show they may have better odds of converting than punting or kicking it away.
A quick look at the numbers from the game paints a pretty interesting picture. According to the win probability models that many teams use — if Washington had converted on fourth down, they would’ve increased their chances of winning by nearly 20%. On the flip side, missing that conversion obviously carried enormous risk — allowing the Eagles to take possession near their own 30 meant Philadelphia had great field position to start their next drive.
The Critical Reaction: Fans and Experts Weigh In
As expected, social media and NFL experts were quick to react to this crucial turning point in the game. Washington’s fan base was torn. Some appreciated the hustle and willingness to go for the win, while others were not so kind in their criticism of Rivera and Bieniemy’s “recklessness.” From Twitter to the local sports radio shows, the call was dissected from every angle.
- Should Washington have kicked the field goal to go up 29-24?
- Should the front office question their aggressive play-calling when the game is on the line?
- Are the Eagles just too hard to beat this season no matter what strategy you employ?
Analyst Tony Romo said on the CBS Broadcast, “This is the kind of moment that defines a season. They took a big risk, and sometimes, those big risks don’t pay off. But in my book, Washington isn’t a team that should play it safe.” That kind of praise won’t dull the sting for Commanders fans who had to watch their team walk away on the losing end of a hard-fought battle.
What Now for the Commanders?
With this loss, the Commanders dropped to a middling 6-5 record, still fighting for a legitimate playoff spot. Although their upcoming schedule remains tough, including another game against the Dallas Cowboys, there’s still time to regroup. Players like defensive end Chase Young and star wideout Terry McLaurin will need to continue bringing impactful performances to the table if Washington hopes to stay competitive in the challenging NFC East.
Looking ahead, the Commanders knew Monday was not their best moment, but in the grand scheme of things, Rivera hasn’t lost faith in his squad. “We’ll learn from this and get better. I truly believe we have the team that can bounce back from this,” Rivera said.
Washington’s season isn’t finished yet, but this game against the Eagles is sure to be one that people come back to when reflecting on what could’ve been in 2023. Will the Commanders be able to shake off this gut-wrenching loss and continue pursuing playoff viability?
Only time will tell if this fourth-down gamble proves to be a pivotal learning experience or the beginning of trouble for the Washington Commanders. As for now, fans will continue to hang on as their team marches forward into uncertain but hopefully brighter territory.
Originally Written by: Nate Davis
