Eagles sloppy in suffering 1st defeat

The Eagles — like all but one team in NFL history — were not going to finish the season undefeated. That much was inevitable. Losses happen, even to teams with an MVP candidate such as Jalen Hurts. But the Eagles played more like a bad team in the first preseason game than one with Super Bowl expectations in a 32-21 home loss Monday night to the Commanders. Fumbles, an interception, another disaster on special teams, no pass rush, no pass coverage, it was as if the Eagles stuffed a season’s worth of foul-ups, mental miscues and blunders into one game. The good news? Hey, they’re still 8-1 and still lead the NFC East. The cause for concern? The 8-1 mark only ties them for the best record in the NFC with the Vikings (though the Eagles have the head-to-head edge ). The Eagles next play the Colts (4-51) in Indianapolis and get a shot to prove the undisciplined performance was either a one-game aberration or a worrying sign there are significant cracks in a championship foundation. “We lost it together,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, above, said. “Offense, defense, special teams.”