The Washington Commanders put up a fight against the Philadelphia to kick off the NFL's Week 16 Saturday double-header but ultimately fell short.

After an entertaining first half that ended with the Commanders clinging to a three-point lead, the Eagles scored 18 points before the Commanders could respond to secure a 29-18 win, giving them their 10th victory of the season and the NFC East division crown.

It's the first time in 20 years that the NFC East has had a repeat division winner.

The Commanders (4-11) have been looking for signs of improvement to close out the season, and although the game ultimately ended with disappointment, there were some positive moments. The defense hung with the Eagles' offense for a majority of the night, forcing five scoreless drives from them and sacking Jalen Hurts twice. The special teams unit forced a turnover, which the offense used to take an early lead.

However, despite the Commanders keeping things close for most of the night, the offense struggled to find momentum in the second half, mostly because of the change at quarterback. Marcus Mariota sustained a hand injury on the opening drive of the third quarter, which forced the Commanders to put Josh Johnson in for the rest of the game.

After getting 121 yards in the first half, the Commanders were held to just 62 until their final drive of the game.

The Commanders needed a few things to go right in order to spoil the Eagles' attempt at claiming the NFC East, and the night certainly started the way they wanted.

On the opening kickoff, Mike Sainristil popped the ball from returner Will Shipley and Kain Medrano recovered it at the Eagles' 26-yard line. Chris Rodriguez, who had 63 yards for the night, was heavily featured in the drive and moved the ball to the 2-yard line. The Commanders had to settle for a field goal, however, following an incomplete pass from Mariota to Treylon Burks in the end zone.

The Commanders forced a three-and-out from the Eagles on their opening drive, but Philadelphia marched 63 yards downfield on their second to take the lead. They got to the 6-yard line in six plays, and DeVonta Smith capped things off with a six-yard touchdown catch.

The Eagles were close to extending the lead on their next drive, as Barkley got them to the Commanders' 24-yard line with a 10-yard run. The Commanders' defense held from there, though, and forced Jake Elliott out for a 43-yard attempt that he missed -- one of three Elliott had for the night.

Nine plays later, the Commanders were back in the lead. Terry McLaurin started things off with a 40-yard completion, and Deebo Samuel had a 14-yard catch-and-run that moved them to Philadelphia's 11-yard line. The Commanders ran the ball six times to close out the drive, including a one-yard score from Jacory Croskey-Merritt to make the score 10-7.

The Eagles had a chance to close out the half with at least a tied score and nearly accomplished that feat, getting to the Commanders' 43-yard line. Elliott's 57-yard attempt was wide left, but Tyler Owens was called for an offsides penalty that gave Philadelphia a first down. Elliott's next attempt came two plays later, but that one was also wide left, leaving Washington with a three-point lead.

Washington got the ball to start the third quarter, and it looked like the team would have a shot at a double-digit lead after a 24-yard pickup from Burks. The drive faltered from there, however, and Mariota's hand injury led to him missing the rest of the night.

Meanwhile, the Eagles started to pick up some momentum on offense. They put together a 17-yard drive that took over 10 minutes off the clock and ended with Dallas Goedert making a leaping 15-yard touchdown catch in the end zone.

Washington's offense struggled for the rest of the night. Johnson threw an interception to Cooper DeJean, and the Eagles used the prime field position to tack on another seven points. Barkley evaded multiple defenders on his way to a 12-yard touchdown to put Philadelphia up 21-10. After two three-and-outs from the Commanders, the Eagles got back in the end zone in the fourth quarter, covering 80-yards in four plays. This time, it was Tank Bigsby who scored on a 22-yard run.

The Commanders cut into the lead on their final drive with an eight-play series, helped by a pass interference call that moved them to the 1-yard line. Chris Rodriguez crossed the goal line one play later, and Jeremy McNichols added two points on the conversion.

The Eagles recovered the onside kick attempt, allowing them to run out the clock from there. Washington will play their final home game of the season at Northwest Stadium on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys with a 1 p.m. kickoff.