Eagles' DeVonta Smith Says Late Drop vs. Commanders 'Cost Us the Game'

Jayden Daniels played the role of hero for the Washington Commanders during their 36-33 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, but he only got the chance to throw the winning touchdown in the final seconds because of a DeVonta Smith drop on the previous possession.

Smith dropped a pass that would have resulted in a first down, which forced the Eagles to settle for a field goal and leave the door open for a Daniels comeback.

"I gotta catch the goddamn ball," Smith told reporters. "… It cost us the game."

Washington had just one timeout remaining, so the Eagles could have run out the majority of the clock without getting another first down had Smith caught the pass. Instead, Daniels got the ball back with just under two minutes remaining and down five.

The rookie quarterback delivered by leading a nine-play, 57-yard touchdown drive. The winning touchdown went to Jamison Crowder for a touchdown on the final play from scrimmage, as the time expired as Philadelphia attempted to return the ensuing kickoff.

Daniels already defeated the Chicago Bears earlier this season with a Hail Mary on the final play, so this is just the latest example of his late-game heroics.

Still, Smith and the Eagles will surely remember his drop.

Had they won, they would have clinched the NFC East. Instead, they are two games ahead of Washington with two games remaining.

While Philadelphia will likely still win the division, this was a blow in the race for the NFC's No. 1 seed. It fell one game behind the 13-2 Detroit Lions and is also behind the 12-2 Minnesota Vikings in the loss column, although only one of those two NFC North teams can get the No. 1 seed with the other forced to settle for a wild-card spot.

If the Eagles don't make up that ground, they might have to go on the road in the NFC Championship Game. That would make Smith's drop even more costly in hindsight.