Eagles vs. Redskins recap: Birds lose fifth straight to Washington

Eagles lose their fifth straight game to Washington.

First half review:

Offense:

On the first play of the game, Carson Wentz hits Zach Ertz who runs for a first down and almost breaks a tackle! Would have been a big milestone for the Eagles’ young tight end.
Eagles convert on third down! Wentz throws a bullet to Jordan Matthews who picks up the first down and more in his first series back from an ankle injury.
Philadelphia’s success on third down would not continue throughout the drive. Redskins put an end to the Eagles’ drive resulting in a 45-yard field goal from Caleb Sturgis. Eagles lead 3-0.

Defense:

You may not believe this, but Leodis McKelvin helped force a Redskins three and out. Good play from McKelvin, who caused an incompletion after what looked like a possible first down conversion.

Offense:

Nelson Agholor did something good! Kind of. On the first play of the drive, Wentz shoots one deep intended for Agholor, who is blatantly interfered with. Eagles get an easy 44 yards.
Cool play by Wentz. With a Redskins defender draped all over him, Wentz still manages to stay on his feet with a little help from one of his offensive linemen. Wentz then dumps the ball to Trey Burton, who picks up a few yards. Really exciting play from the rookie.
Another third down conversion! Wentz hits Jordan Matthews in the middle of the field, who picks up the first down and more. Good to have Matthews back.
Interception. Wentz throws a pass to Zach Ertz in the end zone, but Redskins defensive back Deshazor Everett ended up coming down with it. Not a great play from Wentz.

Defense:

Malcom Jenkins interferes with DeSean Jackson. Eagles give up 24 yards due to the penalty.
McKelvin strikes again, breaking up a third down play to force a Redskins field goal, which is missed! Eagles still ahead 3-0.

More from Inside the Iggles

Offense:

Nelson Agholor puts the moves on Quinton Dunbar and makes a nice nine-yard reception. Good to see Agholor playing better.
Awesome patience from Wentz, who takes a shot from Trent Murphy, but not before hitting Ertz for a 32-yard gain.
Redskins halt the Eagles offense, but not Caleb Sturgis, who knocks another one through the uprights. Eagles lead 6-0.

Defense:

Sack! Fletcher Cox takes down Kirk Cousins for his first sack since Week 5. He’s been waiting for that one.
Touchdown. Redskins effortlessly move the ball downfield and Rob Kelley finishes the drive off with a 22-yard scoring run.

Offense:

It’s hard not to appreciate Trey Burton. On 3rd and 9, Wentz find Burton for a 16-yard gain to keep the drive alive. Gotta love Burton’s versatility.
Wentz is magic. The rookie senses pressure from behind, ducks out of the pursuer’s path, rolls to his left and throws a bomb downfield to a wide open Trey Burton, but the ball falls just short of the target. Missed opportunity for the Eagles.
Paul Turner, the greatest receiver in NFL history, gets his first reception of the day on a 16-yard catch and run.
Touchdown! Darren Sproles lines up as a wide receiver and Wentz hits him in the back of the end zone for six. What a drive for the Eagles.

It was a positive first half for the Eagles. Despite his red zone interception, Carson Wentz played very well and the Eagles moved the ball effectively. However, the defense still made some critical errors with bad angles and poor tackling. That will need to change in the second half.

Second half review

Defense:

Sack! Fletcher Cox gets to Kirk Cousins for the second time on the day and forces a Redskins punt. What a day for Cox.

Special teams:

Darren Sproles takes the punt to the house! Just one problem; Zach Ertz was called for an illegal block in the back. The touchdown is negated.

Offense:

Ryan Mathews takes a carry and runs it up the gut for 18 yards. Mathews will get more carries with Wendell Smallwood out of the game with an injury.
Eagles punt after pretty much the entire Redskins defense took down Wentz behind the line of scrimmage.

Defense:

DeSean Jackson against Leodis McKelvin? You know who’s going to win that battle. Jackson catches a bomb from Kirk Cousins for the 80-yard score. Redskins lead 14-13.

Offense:

Ryan Mathews strikes again. Mathews bounces a run to the outside and takes it 21 yards downfield.
Eagles are held on third down, but Doug Pederson elects to go for it on fourth down. Wentz drops back and throws a bullet to Zach Ertz, who picks up the first down and much more. Great play call.
On third and long, Pederson elects to run a draw play, which he has received criticism for in the past. Eagles are forced to attempt a field goal, but long snapper Jon Dorenbos left the game earlier with a wrist injury. Brent Celek had to fill in and, naturally, things didn’t go as planned. The snap was low and the Donnie Jones was taken down for a huge loss. Score remains 14-13.

Defense:

Touchdown. Redskins surgically drive down the field and Kirk Cousins finds Pierre Garcon for the score. Redskins lead 21-13.

Offense:

Three and out. Eagles can’t get anything going offensively. Momentum is totally in Washington’s favor.

Defense:

Pick six! Leodis McKelvin jumps the route and picks off Kirk Cousins and takes it to the house! Aside from the DeSean Jackson touchdown, McKelvin has played very well against Washington.

Defense:

Challenge. Cousins hits Jamison Crowder deep for a 30-yard gain, but it looks like he was unable to get two feet inbounds. After review, the ruling is overturned. Eagles force a punt.

Offense:

Third and long. Wentz finds Trey Burton, but just short of the first down marker. Eagles go for it on fourth down and Wentz sneaks it up the middle to convert. Eagles keep the drive alive.
Nelson Agholor makes another play! Agholor takes the screen and runs through a couple tackles to set the Eagles up nicely on third down.
Eagles fail to convert on third down, but with no healthy long snappers, the Eagles are forced to use Trey Burton as the long snapper. Eagles go for the field goal, the snap is good and so is the field goal. What a day for Burton.

Defense:

Crazy play on third down. Jamison Crowder catches a ball deep and gets popped by Rodney McLeod, jarring the ball loose for an incompletion. After review, however, it was ruled that Crowder had made the catch and had gone to the ground before the ball came loose. Redskins pick up the first down.
Redskins convert on fourth down after a missed delay of game penalty. Redskins get a lucky break.
Touchdown. Chris Thompson takes an outside run and weaves in and out of traffic to pick up a 25-yard score. Redskins now lead 27-22.

Offense:

Eagles driving with less than a minute to go. Wentz hits Jordan Matthews and Trey Burton on four consecutive plays to get into Redskins territory. Went is in the zone.
Third and long, Wentz hits Zach Ertz for the first down. Eagles are on the doorstep.
Fumble. Wentz gets hit and coughs up the ball. Redskins recover. Washington wins 27-22

Overview

Heartbreaking loss for the Eagles, who lose their fifth straight to the Redskins. Despite a costly red zone interception and the game-ending fumble, Carson Wentz played a very good game and was one of the few bright spots on the day. The Eagles defense also improved upon recent efforts, but still wasn’t good enough to hold the Redskins offense. Eagles fall to 5-8 and take on the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.

Additional notes

Darren Sproles took a cheap shot in the game and did not return. Wendell Smallwood also left the game with an injury, leaving the Eagles with only two healthy running backs.

Jon Dorenbos left the game with a wrist injury and was unable to return. His backup long snapper Brent Celek was also knocked out of the game due to injury. The Eagles may be looking for a long snapper during the week of their injuries are deemed serious.

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