The Washington Commanders were up front about seizing the opportunity to go out and compete in the final game of the season, and that fight was on display in a 24-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Quarterback Josh Johnson, running back Chris Rodriguez and safety Jeremy Reaves made the most of their chances in Week 18.
Josh Johnson
Johnson didn't have an easy task on his hands in these final two games as a starter (just his ninth and 10th starts in his career). The Commanders have been marred by injuries; the team had been officially out of playoff contention for a few weeks by the time he was tapped for the job. Still, Johnson did what he has done in his uniquely impressive pro football career: he gave it his all and did the best he could with what he could control.
After a solid outing on Christmas Day in which he went 15-of-28 for 128 yards against the Cowboys, Johnson continued the positive momentum in the season finale. He went through his reads well, made good decisions and used his legs in smart spots. He had the short-term memory the team needed, dusting himself off to keep going at the defense following two errors.
In the fourth quarter, he led Washington to the 24-17 comeback win by throwing his first touchdown pass since 2021 and then, a few minutes later, by keeping it for his first rushing touchdown since 2018. The victory in Philadelphia was Johnson's second win as a starter. What a memory to start off 2026 for the veteran.
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Rodriguez has been a highlight for the Commanders' offense in his third NFL season, powering through defenses with a blend of shiftiness and strength that has resulted in chunk yardage and touchdowns in 2025. After a quiet first quarter, the back found the ball in his hands in the second period when he deepened the gash of a 25-yard Terry McLaurin gain with a hard 12-yard run.
The drive finished with points thanks to Rodriguez. He was handed the ball on the Philadelphia 1-yard line twice and hit paydirt on the second go, giving Washington its first touchdown of the game and Rodriguez's sixth of the season.
The 25-year-old almost had his second touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter, doing well to stretch out his arms after another run up the middle while falling on top of defenders, but was ultimately deemed short. He ended his night with a team-leading 16 carries for 65 yards -- another bit of evidence to show his talents as he gets ready to step into an important offseason.
Jeremy Reaves
In his eight-year career in Washington, Reaves has forged a reputation built on a rare kind of relentless work ethic. In this case, it was the final bit of action in what's been a rather disappointing season for Washington. Regardless, the 2022 All-Pro stepped onto the grass in Philadelphia with the same approach he always possesses, set to make an impact wherever he could find it.
The chance came in a big way near Washington's own end zone with less than a minute to go in the first half. The Commanders' offense had turned over the ball on the previous drive, and the Eagles seemed to be on the brink of taking advantage of the error. On third-and-10 from Washington's 20-yard line, Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee threw a ball that Reaves easily read and picked off. It was the safety's first interception since 2020, and he ran for 28 yards, which would go on to set up a Jake Moody field goal that gave Washington the lead heading into the locker room.
The 29-year-old kept wreaking havoc in the second half. Next time the defense was on the field, Reaves showed up for another brilliantly read play. This time it was a defended pass intended for wide receiver Darius Cooper. In the win, the safety finished tied for second on the team with six total tackles and showed once again that an opportunity to play an NFL game isn't something he is ever going to take for granted.
