Saquon Barkley, Cowboys biggest winners, losers from Eagles-Commanders

Saquon Barkley, Cowboys biggest winners, losers from Eagles-CommandersStory bySaquon Barkley, Cowboys biggest winners, losers from Eagles-CommandersNate Davis, USA TODAYSun, December 21, 2025 at 1:16 AM UTC·3 min read

LANDOVER, MD – The Philadelphia Eagles’ title defense this season has occurred amid myriad issues, many of them internal. But the reigning NFL champions have at least now officially earned the right to compete for another Super Bowl berth.

Though it was hardly pretty at times – pretty much par for the course the way this year has gone – Philly defeated the Washington Commanders 29-18 on Dec. 20, securing another NFC East title and officially qualifying for the 2025 playoffs.

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As for Saturday’s subplots beyond the final score? Let’s divvy those up to spell out this game’s winners and losers, which extended well beyond the nation’s capital:

WINNERS

Eagles

Duh. Philadelphia struggled to put away an undermanned Commanders squad that it manhandled in last season’s NFC championship game and trailed 10-7 at halftime. But the Eagles finally pulled away in the second half to lock up the division. Longshots to get the conference’s No. 1 seed, Philadelphia should have some level of flexibility as it approaches the final two games – the Eagles are almost certain to wind up with the second or third seed.

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Saquon Barkley

This season has certainly been a struggle to Philly’s star back relative to his 2,000-yard rushing effort in 2024. But with just his third 100-yard effort of the season, Barkley did reach the 1,000-yard plateau Saturday – the first time he’s done it in back-to-back seasons since 2018 and ’19 – his first two years with the New York Giants.

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

Week 1: The New England Patriots' Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.1 / 4

Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

1 / 4

Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

2 / 4

Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: The New England Patriots' Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.3 / 4

Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.4 / 4

Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.

Jalen Hurts

Coolly efficient with two touchdown passes and nary a turnover, he appears to be settling back into the do-whatever-it-takes-form that wound up earning him Super Bowl MVP honors 10 months ago.

LOSERS

Dallas Cowboys

For some, the long national nightmare is over. For others, their slim holiday hopes have been dashed. But the Eagles’ win officially knocked “America’s Team” out of playoff contention.

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NFC East hex

In one of the league’s quirkier stats this century, Philadelphia became the first team to win consecutive NFC East titles since the Eagles last did it in 2003 and ’04.

Commanders’ ‘home’ crowd

It’s been a rough season outside the Beltway … a rough three decades for that matter. But the Washington fans apparently opted to revert to recent form, getting a jump on their holiday shopping and letting the pro-Philly crowd largely take over Northwest Stadium.

Jake Elliott

He did his best to keep the game interesting early on, missing a pair of second-quarter field goals – three if you count the fact he got two cracks at hitting one before halftime after a Washington offside penalty gave him a second crack at it … but wide left twice.

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Washington quarterbacks

Superstar Jayden Daniels? Inactive Saturday – and for the rest of the season. Backup Marcus Mariota? Evaluated for a concussion in the second half and injured his right (throwing) hand, which forced him out of the lineup. Third-stringer Josh Johnson? He took over for Mariota and threw an ill-advised interception at the end of the third quarter that ultimately set up Barkley’s 12-yard touchdown run – effectively the game’s knockout punch.

Tyler Steen, Quan Martin and Javon Kinlaw

The Eagles guard, Commanders safety and defensive tackle, respectively, all got ejected after the Eagles went up 29-10 after a two-point run by Barkley with 4:26 to go. Never understood guys who throw punches at helmeted men.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Saquon Barkley rolls, Cowboys eliminated as Eagles top Commanders

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