Commanders fail on crucial fourth down vs. Eagles, and signature win under Daniels will have to wait

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Washington trailed by two points on in the fourth quarter, needing a field goal or first down to keep its prospects of a win — and a shot at the NFC East lead — alive in Philadelphia.

The Commanders were behind 12-10 when they were stopped on second- and third-and-1. Buoyed by an early-season hot streak, coach Dan Quinn called his rookie quarterback's number on fourth-and-2 from the Eagles 26.

Jayden Daniels juggled the snap, scrambled to his right and was hammered out of bounds by linebacker Zack Baun.

The Eagles took over on downs. The defining win for the Commanders under Quinn and Daniels has to wait.

Shortly after that misfire, Saquon Barkley rushed for the first of his two fourth-quarter touchdowns to give division-leading Philadelphia a two-score lead, and the Eagles (8-2) sent the Commanders (7-4) to their second straight loss, 26-18 on Thursday night.

“Bold call,” Quinn said. “I'd also say we were prepared for that moment. Didn't love the execution. But we've been an excellent fourth-down team. Going into it, we knew we'd have to take our shots against a tough division team on the road. We didn't like the execution or the result. But we were prepared for that.”

Plan B was the field goal.

Zane Gonzalez, promoted off the practice squad with Austin Seibert dealing with a hip injury, made a 45-yarder in the third quarter for a 10-3 lead. Quinn decided not to give him another shot from about 44 yards out for a 13-12 lead.

“To be the heavy hitters that we want to be, you've got to be able to close,” Quinn said. “How do you learn the lesson to close? That's what we're going to become. You knew this adversity was coming. It just does.”

Daniels finished 22 of 32 for 191 yards and a late touchdown pass. He was intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship late in the fourth, setting up Barkley's second TD.

As for the decisive fourth-down call, Daniels said, “I'm always a part of, hey let's go for it.”

It was a frustrating night for Daniels and top receiver Terry McLaurin, who exceeded 100 yards receiving in last Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh for the fourth time in the past eight games, accumulating 113 on five catches.

McLaurin had just one catch for 10 yards against the Eagles and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

“It happens,” McLaurin said. “I can only control what I can.”

Quinn said he would give the Commanders a couple of extra days off ahead of the stretch run. The Commanders play four of their next five games at home, starting Nov. 24 against Dallas.

They need a breather.

While the Eagles had the earliest bye in the NFL in Week 5, the Commanders have the latest in Week 14, and the injuries are piling up after a relatively healthy start to the season.

“I feel like we'll respond great,” Daniels said. “We'll rest up and get back to it.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) celebrates sacking Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels celebrates a 1-yard touchdown run by Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels shake hands following an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 26-18. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels pauses during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Winnipeg running back Brady Oliveira was honored as the Canadian Football League's George Reed Most Outstanding Player and selected the top Canadian player Thursday night.

Oliveira and the Blue Bombers will face the Toronto Argonauts in the Grey Cup on Sunday at B.C. Place Stadium. Winnipeg is in the game for a fifth straight year, chasing its third title.

Oliveira joined Jon Cornish, Russ Jackson and Tony Gabriel as the only players to sweep the Most Outstanding Player and top Canadian awards.

From Winnipeg, Oliveira ran for 1,353 yards for his second straight CFL rushing title. The former University of North Dakota star also topped the league in yards from scrimmage at 1,829 for a second year in a row.

Saskatchewan’s Rolan Milligan Jr. was honored as the top defensive player, Edmonton’s Nick Anderson as the rookie of the year and Montreal’s Jason Maas as the coach of the year.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Brady Oliveira speaks with media after arriving at Vancouver International Airport ahead of the Canadian Football League Grey Cup in Richmond, British Columbia, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)