In what would be perhaps the most anticipated game of the season, marking the return of DeSean Jackson and the first divisional game, the Eagles escaped with a narrow victory over Washington by the final score of 37-34.
The first half stared as a defensive struggle for the Eagles as a few quick strikes from quarterback Kirk Cousins , including two to Jackson, put Washington in perfect scoring scenarios to start the game. Of course, the tension did not take long to surface as a shoving match involving Jackson, Nate Allen, and Malcolm Jenkins occurred. The minor scuffle would lead to a penalty on Allen for retaliating and a later four yard touchdown pass from cousins to fullback Darrel Young.
Cousins would lead an impressive first drive, going a perfect 7/7 with 59 yards and a touchdown.
Though many thought Nick Foles and the offense would be under pressure to tie the game up, Chris Polk returned the next kickoff 102 yards for his first career return and the first Eagles kickoff return since 2008.
The Eagles then showed signs of struggle on both sides of the ball as Cousins led Washington to another score as he connected with Pierre Garcon for four yards. On the Eagles first offensive drive of the game, LeSean McCoy would go down after a helmet-to-helmet collision and the drive would be cut short after a Darren Sproles fumble. McCoy would soon return to the game following an evaluation.
The offense finally found their rhythm as Foles hit rookie wide receiver Jordan Matthews for two straight 11 yard touchdowns to eventually give the Eagles the lead heading into halftime. Foles finished the first half 12/14 with 157 yards and two touchdowns.
The Eagles continued to put points on the board going into the second half as Cody Parkey hit from 38 yards and 33 yards early in the third quarter. The early second half also saw devastating news as center Jason Kelce left the game with an abdominal injury.
On Washington’s next drive, Cousins would hit Jackson for an 81 yard touchdown, tying the game at 27. Following a missed field goal from Washington’s Kai Forbath, the Eagles would take over for what would be the most heated drive of the game.
On a pass that was originally ruled a Foles interception, Washington’s Chris Baker took a cheap shot on Foles, a shot that would lead to a huge brawl and the ejections of Baker and Eagles all-pro tackle Jason Peters. Though Foles continued to take hard hits, he bounced back later in the drive and threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin to extend the Eagles’ lead.
As Washington got the ball back, Jenkins came up with his second interception in two games, leading to a 51-yard field goal from Parkey.
Washington looked to gain some momentum after a 55-yard pass and catch from Cousins to Roy Helu Jr. and a one-yard run from Helu to bring Washington back to within three. With the game on the line and great field position after a disappointing punt from Donnie Jones, the Eagles defense stopped Washington’s attempt to tie and win. The huge stop allowed the Eagles to run away with the victory and improve to 3-0 on the season.
Next Sunday, the Eagles will head to San Francisco to take one Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers as they look to keep their winning streak alive.
[Photo: Hunter Martin/Philadelphiaeagles.com]
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