Eagles Fall to Redskins 17-12
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The Eagles couldn’t have had a worse start in Donovan McNabb’s return to Philadelphia, falling 1-12 in a game marred by injuries, penalties and coaching errors. McNabb threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cooley to put the Redskins on top 14-0 and on the last play of the first quarter, Michael Vick was injured diving towards the goal line on a play that would be brought back for holding. Vick has not returned, with Kevin Kolb running the Eagles offense.
Things were off to a poor start right away, with the Eagles going three and out before a 58-yard punt return by Brandon Banks to the Eagles’ 37-yardline. After three plays and a 15-yard penalty on Quintin Mikell for a horse collar, Washington had a 7-0 lead on a 12-yard touchdown run by Ryan Torain.
Torain ran over Eagles safety Quintin Mikell en route to the end zone. McNabb didn’t throw a pass on the Redskins first drive. Philadelphia went three and out again, and the Redskins resumed the ground attack.
Washington moved the ball to the Eagles 31-yardline and had called 9 runs and just 2 passes before Donovan McNabb dropped back and fired a dart to Chris Cooley for a 31-yard touchdown to put the Redskins on top 14-0 after an extra point.
On the Eagles next drive, Michael Vick had an electrifying scramble from the 24-yardline, diving towards the end zone and coming up just short. The play was called back due to a hold on Max Jean-Gilles though, and Vick was left crumpled on the field after an injury on the final play of the quarter.
David Akers put through a 47-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter, and the Eagles trailed the Redskins 14-3.
On the Redskins next drive, McNabb converted on a 3rd and 15 play by finding Anthony Armstrong for a 57-yard bomb down the right sideline to the Eagles’ 16-yardline. Asante Samuel and Kurt Coleman were trailing in coverage, and while the Redskins were forced to settle for a field goal and a 17-3 lead, Philadelphia missed an opportunity to grab some momentum.
On the next drive, Kevin Kolb went 5-of-7 for 63 yards, driving the Eagles down to the one-inch line before halftime, with LeSean McCoy coming up just short on a 3rd and goal play that would be reviewed but not overturned. After a lengthy review, Eagles head coach Andy Reid would take a timeout before lining up to go for it on 4th and goal from the 1-yardline. Philadelphia took a delay of game penalty out 3rd of the timeout, forcing the Birds to settle for a David Akers chip shot to cut the Redskins lead to 17-6.
The score remained unchanged going into the fourth quarter, and the Eagles were given a great opportunity to take over at their own 40-yardline after another short punt by the injured Josh Bidwell. A holding penalty led to a stalled drive though, forcing the Eagles to punt. They got the ball back with 7:42 left at their own 35-yardline.
Kevin Kolb found a lot of openings underneath, hitting Owen Schmitt and Jason Avant, while LeSean McCoy had a couple of nice runs. After a pass interference call on Phillip Buchanon, who couldn’t keep up with Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia had 1st and 10 at the Washington 15. Kolb found McCoy on back-to-back plays for 6 yards and 4 yards respectively, setting up 1st and goal at the 5-yardline.
Kolb hit Brent Celek for a touchdown with 4:10, bringing the Eagles within 5 at 17-12. Philadelphia went for a two-point conversion, but Kolb’s pass for Jason Avant was tipped incomplete. Philadelphia kicked it deep on the ensuing kickoff.
Washington ran the ball twice in a row with Ryan Torain, with Andy Reid calling timeouts after each play. McNabb then ran 18 yards for a first down on a critical 3rd and 4, allowing Washington to continue running clock.
Philadelphia wouldn’t get the ball back until the 1:07 mark at their own 26-yardline. After completions to DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek, Kolb spiked the ball with :30 left and the ball at the Eagles 45-yardline.
After defensive holding and three incompletions, the Eagles dug deep into th playbook on 4th and 10. Kolb connected with Jackson, who latereled to Avant, who pitched it back to McCoy for an 18-yard gain to the 32-yardline setting up one final play with 4 seconds left.
On the final play, Kolb’s hail mary was intercepted by DeAngelo Hall, ending the game.