Writer: Kevin Durso
After 2nd-half rally, late TD sinks Eagles
I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.
All posts by Kevin DursoPublished04 Oct 2015
Reminiscent of their first-half play in Atlanta and at home against Dallas, the Eagles offense was stymied through 30 minutes with a dismal second-half outlook.
Then a confident Sam Bradford showed up.
Bradford connected for three touchdown passes in the second half to put the Eagles in front. But with plenty of time left, the Eagles could not stop the final Redskins drive and with 26 seconds to play, Kirk Cousins completed a five-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon to sink the Eagles to 1-3 with a 23-20 loss at FedEx Field on Sunday.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | 0 | 0 | 13 | 7 | 20 |
| Redskins | 6 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 23 |
It was another first half filled with struggles for the Eagles offense, who managed just 91 yards of offense in the first half and couldn't so much as score on a last-second field goal from 33 yards.
The Redskins kicked two field goals in the first as Dustin Hopkins struck from 20 yards and 38 yards.
Washington also added a touchdown in the second half on a strange play. Inside the one-yard line after a pass interference penalty on Eric Rowe, Cousins fumbled the snap, but managed to recover and still power ahead into the endzone for the touchdown.
The Eagles had chances to get on the board late in the half. A touchdown pass from Bradford to Zach Ertz was nullified by an illegal formation penalty on Nelson Agholor. Caleb Sturgis missed a 33-yard field goal to end the half.
But in the second half, a resilient Bradford helped spark an Eagles rally.
A 62-yard pass to Riley Cooper got the Eagles on the board. Sturgis missed the extra-point, cutting the lead to seven.
On the Eagles next drive, Bradford escaped pressure and found Brent Celek for a 10-yard touchdown to tie the game.
Washington would retake the lead on another field goal by Hopkins from 33 yards.
After the Eagles next drive stalled, the Redskins were driving before Brandon Graham forced a strip on Jordan Reed and the ball was recovered by Jordan Hicks.
Three plays later, Bradford connected with Miles Austin on a 39-yard touchdown to give the Eagles the lead.
The Redskins put together a 15-play, 90-yard drive, capped by Garcon's five-yard touchdown catch, to snatch a win away from the Eagles late.
Passing Summary:
Eagles
- Sam Bradford: 15/29, 269 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 122.6 RTG
Redskins
- Kirk Cousins: 31/46, 298 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 91.8 RTG
Top-Performing Receivers:
Eagles
- Riley Cooper: 2 rec, 72 yards, TD
- Nelson Agholor: 3 rec, 60 yards
- Jordan Matthews: 3 rec, 54 yards
Redskins
- Jamison Crowder: 8 rec, 78 yards
- Ryan Grant: 5 rec, 46 yards
- Rashad Ross: 1 rec, 43 yards
Top-Performing Rushers:
Eagles
- DeMarco Murray: 8 car, 36 yards
- Ryan Mathews: 4 car, 20 yards
- Darren Sproles: 4 car, 16 yards
Redskins
- Bilal Powell: 10 car, 31 yards
- Ryan Fitzpatrick: 4 car, 13 yards
- Zac Stacy: 2 car, 3 yards
Breakdown:
First Downs: Eagles – 14, Redskins – 25
3rd Down Efficiency: Eagles – 4-for-12, Redskins – 9-for-17
4th Down Efficiency: Eagles – 0-for-1, Redskins – 0-for-0
Total Plays: Eagles – 52, Redskins – 79
Total Yards: Eagles – 315 yards, Redskins – 414 yards
Passing Yards: Eagles – 232 yards, Redskins – 289 yards
Rushing Yards: Eagles – 83 yards, Redskins – 125 yards
Redzone: Eagles – 1-for-2, Redskins – 4-for-4
Penalties: Eagles – 8 penalties, 72 yards; Redskins – 10 penalties, 109 yards
Turnovers: Eagles – 1, Redskins – 1
Time Of Possession: Eagles – 18:53, Redskins – 41:07
What's Next:
- Sunday, October 11, 2015: vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:00 p.m.
- RFK Stadium; TV: FOX; Radio: 94 WIP
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
