The Eagles scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Commanders and create some distance in their lead in the NFC East.

The Commanders trailed 12-10 when they were stopped on second, third and first. Buoyed by an early-season hot streak, coach Dan Quinn called his rookie quarterback’s number on fourth-and-2 from the Eagles 26.

Jayden Daniels juggled the snap, scrambled to his right and was hammered out of bounds by linebacker Zack Baun.

The Eagles took over on downs. The decisive victory for the commanders under Quinn and Daniels will have to wait.

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Shortly after that misfire, Saquon Barkley rushed for the first of his two fourth-quarter touchdowns to give division leader Philadelphia a two-score lead, and the Eagles (8-2) sent the Commanders (7-4) to their second loss in a row, 26-18 on Thursday evening.

“Bold call,” Quinn said. “I would also say we were prepared for that moment. I didn’t think the execution was great. But we were an excellent fourth-down team. Going into it, we knew we had to take our chances against a tough division team at path. We didn’t like the execution and the result, but we were prepared for that.”

Plan B was the field goal.

Zane Gonzalez, promoted from the practice squad while Austin Seibert was dealing with a hip injury, made a 45-yarder in the third quarter for a 10-3 lead. Quinn decided not to give him a second chance from about 44 yards out for a 13-12 lead.

“To be the heavy hitters we want to be, you have to be able to close,” Quinn said. ‘How do you learn the lesson of closure? That’s what we’re going to become. You knew this setback was coming. That just happens.’

Daniels finished 22 of 32 for 191 yards and a late touchdown pass. He was intercepted by safety Reed Blankenship late in the fourth, setting up Barkley’s second TD.

As for the decisive fourth-down call, Daniels said, “I’m always part of, hey, let’s go for it.”

It was a frustrating night for Daniels and top receiver Terry McLaurinwho surpassed 100 yards for the fourth time in the past eight games in last Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh, totaling 113 on five catches.

McLaurin had just one catch for 10 yards against the Eagles and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.

“It happens,” McLaurin said. “I can only control what I can.”

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Philadelphia Eagles safety Reed Blankenship celebrates with teammates after his fourth-quarter interception against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory credits: Bill Streicher-Imagn images (Bill Streicher-Imagn images)

Quinn said he would give commanders a few extra days off ahead of the long run. The Commanders will play four of their next five games at home, starting Nov. 24 against Dallas.

They need a breather.

While the Eagles had the first bye in the NFL in Week 5, the Commanders have the last in Week 14, and injuries are piling up after a relatively healthy start to the season.

“I feel like we’re going to respond great,” Daniels said. ‘We’ll take a rest and get back to work on it.’

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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