For most of their Sunday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Washington Commanders were in control. After the Eagles scored 10 in the first quarter, Washington shut them out in the next three quarters and won 27-10.
The Commanders' defense played a key role in this game, holding Philadelphia to just 268 total yards and generating two turnovers, one of which was on a fourth-down stop late in the fourth quarter. However, it was running back Rachaad White’s drive that sealed the win for Washington, making him the player of the game.
Throughout the game, the Commanders split reps between Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler, both expected to step up with starting running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve. Both performed
well, but White carried the load on the final drive to seal the win.
First, his 33-yard run put the Commanders at the Eagles’ four-yard line. He had the next two rushing attempts, getting it in from one yard out to score Washington’s second touchdown of the game. That was also their first rushing touchdown since their tie against the New York Giants. Without this crucial drive from White, the Commanders would have had to settle for a field goal, which would have kept it a two-possession game, giving Philadelphia a chance to possibly come back and win.
White also maintained his position as a pass-catching running back, although he finished with just two receptions for five yards. Ironically, he also did that when Washington faced the Eagles in the season opener. Still, he was a crucial part of this offense and played a large role in securing the victory for the Commanders.
Washington will play their next game against the Los Angeles Rams with a chance to build on the momentum from this 17-point win. This was also their first win by at least three possessions since they defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 27-10 last year.
Washington’s defense, which was outstanding, had several player-of-the-game contenders, sacking Tanner McKee five times and forcing two turnovers. But White gets the edge over quarterback Jayden Daniels for our Week 8 Player of the Game.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders Week 8 Player of the Game: RB Rachaad White
