Our Washington Redskins played their long time division rival Philadelphia Eagles and escaped with a 27-22 victory. As usual the Eagles were tough at home and the first half was a defensive battle royal. They led 3-0 and were about to score a touchdown when Deshazor Everett intercepted Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz.

In the defensive struggle the Eagles led our Redskins. However an exciting 80 yard bomb from Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins to wide receiver DeSean Jackson to go ahead 14 to 13. DeSean Jackson now has 22 career touchdowns over 60 yards and needs two more to pass Hall of Famer Jerry Rice who has 23 touchdowns over 60 yards.

In the see-saw battle, Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a “pick six”. Eagles defender Leodis McKelvin jumped the route and intercepted the Cousins pass and scored a touchdown. That gave the Eagles the lead but Cousins led the Redskins down the field mixing run and pass. A pitchout to Chris Thompson resulted in the game winning touchdown as Thompson followed the pancaking blocking by Left Tackle Trent Williams.

Our Redskins held on and a sack fumble on Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz by Ryan Kerrigan and a fierce pass rush sealed the win. I am sure that Eagles quarterback Wentz felt lower than a snakes belly in a wagon track then.

Our defense caused 2 more turnovers than the Eagles defense did and that was the real difference. Redskins field-goal kicker Dustin Hopkins missed his 7th for the season, but made one of two in the game.

If I were to give game balls out for the Redskins, Pierre Garcon would definitely get one. He not only caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins but also made big clutch catches helping win the game. Josh Norman proved to be a shutdown corner knocking a would-be touchdown catch out of the receivers hands to make it incomplete. Not many passes were thrown his way respecting his pass coverage. Norman also made key tackles and effective on blitzes also.

Kirk Cousins and DeSean Jackson could receive game balls as well as Ryan Kerrigan, Ziggy Hood, and “Fat Rob” Kelley. Cousins threw two touchdowns and one interception for 234 yards. However his leadership on the game winning drive showed how far he has come as a 2nd year starting NFL quarterback, The defense playcalling was better even though I would have liked to have seen more 3rd down stops. There was no lack of effort by any players on either team, They all gave it 100 percent.

I saw great individual efforts in this game on both sides. I thought the Eagles may have to go to a Philly bar and interrupt a patrons Philly Cheese Steak dinner to go play longsnapper for them as they had injuries at that position.

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The blocking by Vernon Davis helped out offense in both the running-game and passing-game. Tight-end Jordan Reeds made a clutch catch even though he is suffering a shoulder injury and probably should not have played hurt. Back-up center John Sullivan did a great job filling in for injured Spencer Long. Martrell Spaight impressed me with his hard hitting and football savvy at linebacker. Only one false start in the red zone this game.

The Eagles offense impressed me with their using 3 tight-end sets. I like using 2 tight-end sets as the New England Patriots are successful doing that.

I would like to address the play involving Eagles Darren Sproles who was receiving a punt and Redskins special teams Deshazor Everett. Obviously Everett was guilty of hitting Sproles a split second before Sproles had a chance to catch the ball, Sproles did not signal “fair catch” and having played “headhunter” myself on punts and kickoffs, I know you are moving at 9 yards a second toward your target, the other team player who is going to catch and return the ball. In that case you have only a second between his touching the ball first before you hit him.

In my view, Everette is only guilty of ‘miss-timing’ his hit by a half second and it was not an intentional “cheap shot”. It was a penalty and I am not arguing that. I am just saying from what I saw and what i know about that situation, Everett did not intend to play dirty and deliver a cheap shot. Look at the play at real speed.

But tempers flare in hotly contested games and especially between the Washington Redskins and division rivals like the Philadelphia Eagles. Its the NFC East folks! We don’t like them and they don’t like us. We play them twice a year.

This win keeps us in the race for a wild card berth in the Playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys lost to the NY Giants also so we did not gain any ground on the Giants who are 2 games ahead of us. Those four games we gave away earlier in the season are raising its ugly head now. However, we are still alive. Like the Bee Gees Song, “Staying Alive” AH,HA,HA,HA Stayin Alive, Stayin Alive”.

We must win the last 3 games thus sweeping the NY Giants last game. We do that, all is forgiven as we will get into the playoffs to hopefully revenge our being swept by the Dallas Cowboys. “Skins” have to play one game at a time. Study the film and be prepared to beat the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football on December 19th. Washington Redskins backs are against the wall and every game now is Code Red, Must Win.

HAIL HTTR.

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