DC Is Dancing: Redskins Defeat Philadelphia Eagles in Home Finale

After last week’s pitiful performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Washington Redskins had nothing to lose on Sunday, except bragging rights. They kept those rights with a 10-3 victory, effectively ending the visiting Eagles' season.

In this season of highs and lows, they had already beaten the equally hot and cold Filthadelphia Eagles once at Lincoln Financial Field, 23-17.

At 7-7, the Redskins were hanging onto the ropes, battered and bruised from the hard knock season of unfulfilled expectations.

The 8-5-1 Eagles had a lot to lose, as they were a half game ahead of the Cowboys (9-6) and a half game behind the Atlanta Falcons (9-5) for the sixth playoff spot in the NFC.

Dallas’ playoff hopes took a big hit, with their 33-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last night in the final game played at Texas Stadium.

Atlanta (9-5) led by rookie sensation running back Michael Turner had their tough test against the Vikings to deal with, so really the Redskins could step onto their home grass and play the role of spoiler if they put forth a complete team effort.

And to my great delight that is exactly what they did.

Washington shut down the dangerous duo of quarterback Donovan McNabb and running back Brian Westbrook, holding the Eagles offense to 275 yards of total offense before a buoyant crowd at FEDEX Field.

What a difference a week makes, as the Redskins defensive pressure was too much for the reeling Eagles.

Many players on the Skin’s fifth ranked defense stepped and made key plays throughout the game.

One of the highlight plays was made by an unlikely candidate.

Jason Taylor sacked Donovan McNabb (26-of-46 for 230 yards) with the Eagles needing only three yards for a first down early in the second half.

He forced McDrabb to fumble the football from his own 37-yard line, which was recovered by underrated and not pro bowl bound middle linebacker London Fletcher.

Fletcher ran for 12 more yards, and five plays later, running back Clinton Portis (22 carries 70 yards) did what he did so beautifully before the Skin’s 1-5 six-game slide.

The NFL’s third leading rusher scampered through the defensive line for a 1-yard score

The Skins were ahead 10-0, and never looked back.

Coach Jim Zorn was visibly caught up in the moment after facing the music for his team’s horrible late season swoon last week by squarely laying the blame on himself.

“Losing like we have the past several weeks has been frustrating,” said a proud Zorn. "It just continues to build and it builds everywhere and last week was a real downer. You can’t describe the emotion of toughing it out and coming through with a win."

Yes I can, coach.

I am the fan that watches the team, whether they play well or get beat soundly.

I have to have the game on cheering with all my heart.

Today, the Redskins played with pride.

Besides the outstanding production from Jason Taylor, the burgundy and gold basked in the glow of other notable individual defensive performances.

LaRon Landry and Fred Smoot have been the forgotten men in the Skins’ secondary this season.

Not so on this occasion.

These two saved the day when their team needed them the most, stopping Eagles wideout Reggie Brown from breaking the plane of the goal line in the furious remaining seconds left in the final quarter.

Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache had decided to go into the prevent defense which allows opponents to gain yards by using the lack of a pass rush to their advantage.

No pressure means open receivers, and single man coverage.

The Eagles had one last push, grabbing the ball with 3:48 to go in the game.

With one timeout left, McNabb swiftly found open receivers and calmly moved the chains.

That is until the Eagles reached the Redskins 18-yard line.

Completing a big fourth and four for a first down, and then finding money player Westbrook on a quick screen pass, the drive fell short by the length of the football.

Smoot came low on Brown, keeping his legs from moving forward, while Landry supplied the shove that kept the Eagles receiver from sending the game into overtime.

“The implications of this game were enormous for this team,” said a downtrodden Brown. “And unfortunately we didn’t get in done in the end. It’s something that’s heavy on your chest.”

Washington’s season long struggle for solid scoring by the offense still was apparent in this game, but because of the stout defense, it was a non-factor.

Jason Campbell finished his night 18-for-33 for 144 yards with no touchdowns.

He did however go over 3,000 yards for the season for the first time in his career.

Good for you, JC. 

I wonder if the boo birds, calling for the end of your tenure in a Redskins uniform want to discuss your future on tomorrow’s blogs?

I suspect by preseason next year, Colt Brennan’s name will be on the lips of several bandwagon fans.

So what!

Today, the Redskins won and have one more game left in Zorn’s first year at the helm in old DC.

Give your true fans a San Francisco treat, gentleman, and please shut these posers up for me.

Hail to the Redskins!

Notes

Redskins defensive tackle Lorenzo Alexander left the game with a hamstring injury trying to cover Westbrook on a 47-yard pass play.

Eagles wide receiver Kevin Curtis (calf) was inactive.

Jason Taylor had two sacks to raise his season total to 3.5.