The Philadelphia Eagles are on the brink of elimination from the NFC playoff picture following their 27-24 defeat to the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins got on the scoreboard first as Ryan Kerrigan sacked Mark Sanchez and forced a fumble, which he gathered. Robert Griffin III drove his side downfield and Kai Forbath fired his side ahead with a 25-yard field goal.
Philadelphia responded on their next drive as Sanchez and LeSean McCoy had no problem moving the ball downfield before McCoy found space through the right side of the line to power over for an 11-yard touchdown.
The Redskins rallied and retook the lead within three offensive plays as Griffin sent a downfield pass for DeSean Jackson, while Alfred Morris finished the drive as he found a crease in the defense to register a 28-yard score.
Chip Kelly's men took some time to respond, but Sanchez found his rhythm again towards the end of the second quarter as he connected on a couple of big third down plays to set up a three-yard touchdown pass for Riley Cooper to put his team ahead once more.
In the second half, the Eagles spurned a glorious chance to push further ahead when Andre Roberts fumbled from the kickoff, handing the visitors good field position. However, Sanchez failed to punch the ball into the endzone, while Cody Parkey missed a 36-yard field goal.
Washington responded as they went ahead when Griffin methodically moved his side downfield, and two personal foul penalties moved the hosts to the goalline, where Darrel Young powered over for the score.
The Redskins extended their advantage when Griffin fired deep down the sideline for Jackson, who made the grab over Bradley Fletcher for a 55-yard reception, while a pass interference penalty on Nate Allen moved them to the goalline for Young to find the endzone again.
The Eagles brought themselves back into the game in the fourth quarter as Sanchez connected on a series of throws before he finally found Cooper in the endzone down the seam for a 16-yard score.
Minutes later, an interception by Allen won the visitors possession, and that allowed Parkey to bring his team level with a 22-yard field goal.
Following a failed drive by the Redskins, the Eagles has the chance to secure the match with a game-winning drive, but Sanchez committed a costly turnover when he was picked off by Bashaud Breeland.
Griffin then completed a pass to Pierre Garcon to move his side within the 30-yard line, which was aided by another penalty against the visitors for roughing the quarterback.
The Redskins took time off the clock by running the ball to leave just seconds remaining, and after Forbath kicked a 26-yarder to hand his side their fourth victory of the season, they effectively ended the Eagles' playoff hopes.
Simon Sinclair
