Tuesday, December 25, 2012

RG3 leads Redskins over Eagles 27-20

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, left, passes under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles' Brandon Graham, center, and Colt Anderson in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, left, passes under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles' Brandon Graham, center, and Colt Anderson in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles (9) passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Jeremy Maclin, left, and Nick Foles celebrate after a touchdown pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Jeremy Maclin, left, pulls in a touchdown pass against Washington Redskins' D.J. Johnson in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Philadelphia Eagles' Nick Foles, left, scrambles from Washington Redskins' Ryan Kerrigan in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

(AP) ? Counted out by their own coach six weeks ago, the Washington Redskins and Robert Griffin III are on the brink of their first division title in 13 years.

Griffin threw a pair of touchdown passes in his first game back from a knee injury, Kai Forbath set the NFL record for consecutive field goals to begin a career, and the Redskins held on to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-20 on Sunday for their sixth straight win.

Nick Foles drove the Eagles to the Washington 5 before his intentional grounding penalty ended the game.

The Redskins (9-6) can clinch the NFC East with a victory over Dallas at home next Sunday. They haven't won it since 1999 and last reached the playoffs in 2007.

Trying to play spoiler, the Eagles (4-11) fell short in what could've been Andy Reid's last game coaching the team at home. Reid is unlikely to return to Philadelphia for his 15th season next year. The Eagles, who are missing the playoffs for the second straight year after coming in with huge expectations, finish at the New York Giants.

A sprained right knee forced Griffin to miss last week's win at Cleveland. The rookie had a season-low 4 yards rushing but made several big throws to lead Washington.

Griffin did throw the first interception made by the Eagles in nine games. They hadn't picked off one since Week 6 against Detroit before Colt Anderson intercepted Griffin's tipped pass in the fourth quarter.

That set up a 17-yard TD run by Dion Lewis that cut Washington's lead to 27-20 midway through the fourth.

The Eagles held on defense, forced a punt and started their last drive at their 15. They were at the Washington 17 when Foles bounced a pass to Jeremy Maclin, who was open in the right corner of the end zone on third down. Foles then hit LeSean McCoy for a 12-yard gain on fourth-and-2 to the 5 with 11 seconds left. After an incomplete pass, Foles was called for grounding and the last second was automatically run off the clock.

While the Redskins celebrated, the Eagles ran off the field to a chorus of boos.

There was talk in Philadelphia leading up to the game whether fans would give Reid a cheerful send-off. But the crowd didn't acknowledge him when he took the field before the pre-game introductions.

Griffin sprained his right knee late in the fourth quarter of an overtime win against Baltimore two weeks ago. Fellow rookie Kirk Cousins stepped in and led the Redskins to the tying and winning scores in that game and then a victory at Cleveland.

The Redskins and Eagles were both 3-6 when they met last month. Before that game, Washington coach Mike Shanahan suggested the playoffs were out of reach and it was time to play out the string.

It may have motivated his players. The Redskins haven't lost since, beating the Cowboys, Giants and Ravens in the process.

Perhaps slowed by the injury, Griffin didn't make any dazzling plays with his legs. Then again, he didn't have to.

Griffin was 16 of 24 for 198 yards. Alfred Morris ran for 96 yards and a score.

After allowing the Eagles to score a touchdown on the opening drive, the Redskins outscored them 27-6 until the fourth.

The Redskins extended the lead to 20-10 on the opening drive of the third quarter. Griffin threw a 29-yard pass to Pierre Garcon to get it started and Morris ran in from the 10 for his 10th TD.

Griffin's perfectly thrown 22-yard TD pass to Santana Moss in the left corner of the end zone put the Redskins ahead 27-13 late in the third.

McCoy was back in the lineup after missing the last four games with a concussion. He had 45 yards rushing. Michael Vick was inactive, though he was cleared to play after missing five games with a concussion.

Forbath hit field goals of 45 and 42 yards in the second quarter. The second was his 17th straight, breaking Garrett Hartley's record for consecutive field goals made to start a career.

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Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-12-23-FBN-Redskins-Eagles/id-262b97d87a5f4ee9b585b87e2a9500ce

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