The road to victory is not always a straight line, but the Eagles have found a multitude of ways to get to the finish line. On Saturday, in front of a mostly Eagles crowd at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, the Eagles did just that.

They found a way. And in the process, they made some NFC East history.

With a 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders, the Eagles clinched the NFC East title and, of course, a postseason berth for the eighth time in nine seasons. They became the first team since the Eagles of 2001-2004 to notch consecutive-season NFC East crowns, the first step with many goals ahead.

This one wasn't easy, but as we've learned through the years, it is never easy against this NFC East rival. There were mistakes to shrug off, a deficit to overcome, and in the end, a tough Washington team to defeat.

The Eagles did it, and here are some observations as Philadelphia moved to 10-5 on the season ...

1. Jalen Hurts had a fantastic game

Washington brought pressure, lots of it, and quarterback Jalen Hurts was up to the challenge. Playing a lot out of the shotgun, Hurts spread the ball around in the passing game as the offense moved the ball throughout the evening. There were some moments, some throws, that were pure perfection: The touchdown pass to wide receiver DeVonta Smith on a flag route was perfect, and stepping up in the pocket and getting the ball to tight end Dallas Goedert just high enough to elude the reach of safety Quan Martin. Great throw. Hurts found openings in the Washington zone coverage inside and also outside of the hash marks. And then the damage he did with his legs – just terrific. Hurts bought time when he needed it and he ran when he had the chance, gaining 40 yards on seven carries. He was 22-of-30 for 185 yards and two touchdowns, earning a passer rating of 111.1. He led the way in the clincher.

2. Saquon Barkley showed his bruising side

The final numbers for running back Saquon Barkley as he busted through the 1,000-yard mark for the season were 21 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown. Barkley had a crazy-great 48-yard run, spinning away from a defender in the backfield and getting to the edge and showing some speed, but it was the touchdown run and many of his inside runs that showed just how tough Barkley is after contact. The 12-yard touchdown run was a highlight film as he trucked Washington defenders and reached the end zone to give the Eagles a 20-10 lead (Jake Elliott added the PAT). Barkley also scored a two-point conversion and then called it a night.

3. Momentum is a funny, crazy, important thing

Sometimes, it is really hard to get back the momentum when a team loses it. The Eagles had it with a 7-3 advantage in the first half and then trailed 10-7 after two quarters. But the Eagles put a stop to that, scoring 22 straight points to go ahead, 29-10 in the fourth quarter. This is what the best teams do: They have chances to take control of a football game, no matter how ugly it is, and they grab it. This one happened for a lot of reasons as Philadelphia posted a critical victory that sets them up nicely for the final two weeks of the regular season.

4. A TD drive that turned the tide was as unusual as you will see

Seventeen plays, 83 yards, and a 15-yard touchdown pass to Goedert on a third-and-goal play. Huh? The Eagles started at their 17-yard line after a Britain Covey fair catch and the offense took possession in the third quarter, trailing 10-7. A Barkley 5-yard gain started things and then Hurts completed four straight passes in the short game and the drive moved into Washington territory. Eventually, the Eagles faced a fourth-and-7 play at the Washington 37 and safety Will Harris was penalized for defensive holding. Then, on a third-and-8 play from the Washington 20-yard line, Washington cornerback Noah Igbinoghene was penalized for pass interference in the end zone trying to cover Smith.

So, the Eagles had a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line and, well, things were wonky. A Tush Push was stopped, and then a false-start penalty moved them back to the 6-yard line. A holding call nullified a touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson. Then it was Hurts, stepping up in the pocket and throwing to a leaping Goedert for his 10th touchdown of the season, tying a franchise record (Pete Retzlaff) for the position.

5. Early stop on defense deserves some applause

Shaky start, for sure. Will Shipley fumbled the opening kickoff and Washington had the football at the Philadelphia 26-yard line and eventually had a first-and-goal situation at the 5-yard line. But the defense held Washington to a field goal and, yeah, it mattered. The defense made a statement and then went on to play a terrific game.

6. This receiving corps earns kudos

Just a brief mention here because you all see it: Defenses can't handle A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert. Brown caught 9 passes for 95 yards on 12 targets, Smith had 6 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown, and Goedert caught 3 for 32 yards and a score. It was nice to see Jahan Dotson catch 3 passes for 13 yards and remain a factor in the passing game.

7. Jordan Davis continues his big season

Washington really tried to pound the middle of the defensive line with its physical running game and finished with 90 yards on 26 carries. Defensive tackle Jordan Davis stepped up once again, contributing six total tackles (four solos). He was too strong inside for the Commanders and Davis, once labeled only as a run stopper, also penetrated the backfield. He is a complete player and his game has grown enormously in a 12-month period. Gold star for Davis.

8. Good for Cooper DeJean!

The second-year defensive back continues to do all the dirty work – he is a great tackler, has been outstanding in coverage in the slot against some excellent receivers – and he does it all so effectively. On Saturday, DeJean had a chance for a takeaway and he made it count: the backup (Josh Johnson) to the backup (Marcus Mariota) quarterback rolled left and tried to throw it ball to the right side of the field, and DeJean broke on the ball and made the huge interception to give the offense possession at the Washington 37-yard line at the end of the third quarter. The Eagles led 14-10 at the time and DeJean's pick led to the Barkley 12-yard touchdown that put Philadelphia ahead 21-10, effectively ending the Commanders' chances.

9. Adjustments? Improvement? Defense getsbetter and better

We see it all the time with Vic Fangio's defense, don't we? This defense just gets better and better through the course of a game. Washington had just two first downs in the second half prior to the meaningless end-of-game touchdown drive as the Eagles stiffened the run defense, pressured the pocket with a four-man pass rush, and got off the field. Mariota found wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a 40-yard completion that led to a Washington touchdown, but otherwise the Eagles gave up very little down the field. McLaurin was a non-factor when cornerback Quinyon Mitchell covered him. Fangio has the touch and the players follow his every word.

10. A shoutout to some of the unsung moments ...

• Big play from gunner Sydney Brown in punt coverage, decking the dangerous Jaylin Lane on the punt return. Brown delivered a big hit. Lane had two punt returns for touchdowns this season.
• Byron Young continues to deliver at defensive tackle. He had a quarterback sack and three tackles and has stepped up nicely with Jalen Carter out.
• Brandon Graham!! Another sack, with great inside pressure.He'sstill so quick and strong off the ball and he has been an asset with limited snaps these last couple of games. More to come.
• Tank Bigsby has somegame, doesn't he? He is a frisky runner and on Saturday, Bigsby added 4 carries for 37 yards, including an electric 22-yard touchdown run.
• Don'tlook now, but the Eagles' running game is cooking with gas: They gained 207 yards and had two touchdowns on 34 carries.
• Finally, he is so good and steady that we take it for granted, but linebacker Zack Baun had another outstanding game as he led the defense with nine tackles. He does it all from the off-ball position. And rookie Jihaad Campbell replaced the injured Nakobe Dean (hamstring) and made his presencefelt.