When assuming the role of 'backup quarterback' at football's highest level, most teams hope they never have to call on you. If they must, however, they'd like to know they can win with you. That's true of the Philadelphia Eagles and each of the NFL's other 31 franchises.
What if someone had told us before Philly's clash vs. Washington Commanders that the Birds would have to go the distance and play all but 11 offensive snaps with Kenny Pickett at the helm?
You would have been nervous. Admit it! We all would have been.
Surprisingly, however, despite a mixed bag early. Kenny played well enough to win, but his teammates let him down.
Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith failed to come up with big catches late. Sure, we can argue the pass to Saquon was underthrown. We could also mention that Bobby Wagner made a heady veteran play to force the ball loose and Pickett's injury could have had something to do with the overthrow.
Whatever...
In the end, despite still being in pretty good shape, the Birds did themselves a disserice by coming up short in a game they seemed to be on the road ro winning easily. The fallout with this one will be discussed all week until next Sunday.
The Eagles' postseason standing changed drastically after a crushing loss to the Commanders.
Philly entered this game as a 3.5-point road favorite. They led 21-7 after the first quarter. Their usually reliable defense forced five turnovers but also surrendered 36 points. That includes 22 points scored by Washington during the fourth quarter.
This loss sets Philly back some. They would have clinched the NFC East had they won. That will have to wait a week. They also shot themselves in the foot in their race for the top postseason seed in the National Football Conference. It seems they'll have a difficult task in catching the Lions now.
Philly can still clinch the second seed next week. The Minnesota Vikings have two losses on the ledger, but if the Eagles win the NFC East, they'll hold on to the second seed. Two games remain on the season. We'll see what happens with this slim margin for error.