Barkley’s Fourth Quarter Brilliance Propels Eagles to Commanding NFC East Lead
In a thrilling Thursday night showdown at Lincoln Financial Field, the Philadelphia Eagles extended their dominance in the NFC East with a decisive 26-18 victory over the Washington Commanders, thanks to a spectacular performance by Saquon Barkley.
The former Giant turned Eagle showcased why he’s become one of the NFL’s most dominant players this season. Barkley exploded for 198 total yards, including 146 yards rushing and two game-changing touchdowns in the fourth quarter that transformed a close game into a comfortable win for Philadelphia.
“This team never quits,” Barkley said after the game. “When we needed to step up in the fourth quarter, everyone did their job, and we got it done.”
The Eagles’ victory didn’t come easily. The Commanders took an early lead on Brian Robinson Jr.’s 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Philadelphia’s usually reliable kicker Jake Elliott struggled, missing two field goals and an extra point, keeping the game close into the final period.
But the fourth quarter belonged to Barkley and the Eagles. First, Jalen Hurts put Philadelphia ahead with a touchdown run. Then Barkley took over, scoring twice in just 20 seconds—a 23-yard sprint followed by a spectacular 39-yard dash to the end zone after a Commanders turnover.
The win pushes the Eagles to an impressive 8-2 record and increases their chances of winning the division from 63% to 81%, according to ESPN Analytics. For Barkley, this performance adds to an already remarkable season. He now leads the NFL with 1,137 rushing yards, surpassing Ravens star Derrick Henry.
The Commanders’ rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, faced constant pressure from Philadelphia’s defense, which has become one of the league’s best under coordinator Vic Fangio.
The Eagles’ defense, ranked second in yards allowed per game, kept Daniels in check and came up with a crucial fourth-quarter interception by safety Reed Blankenship.
“Our defense stepped up when it mattered most,” said Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni. “And Saquon… what can you say? He’s been everything we hoped for and more.”
The game wasn’t just about statistics for Barkley. Before kickoff, he showed his character by taking time to sign a jersey for a young fan, bringing her to tears of joy. It’s this combination of on-field excellence and off-field grace that has made him a fan favorite in Philadelphia.
The Eagles will enjoy a mini-bye before facing the Rams in Week 12, while the Commanders (7-4) must regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Dallas Cowboys in ten days.
For Philadelphia, this sixth straight win serves as another reminder of their Super Bowl aspirations. With Barkley running like this and their defense playing at an elite level, the Eagles look ready to soar into the playoffs as serious contenders.