Philly Phlop: Redskins Clip Eagles Wings in D.C.

Desean Jackson ran all over the Eagles with 126 receiving yards (Google Images)

After starting the season as one of the more dominant teams in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles might have had their hopes of capturing the NFC East crown, or even making it to the post-season period, dashed by one of their division rivals, the Washington Redskins. This also busted a 6 game skid for the Redskins, who have had something of an issue finding a guy who can run head coach Jay Gruden's offense. And for a game that saw the 3-11 Redskins at home against the 9-5 Eagles, this was a very competitive game

This week, the Washington Quarterback Carrousel stopped on Robert Griffin III, the QB who was benched by Gruden a few weeks ago in favor of third stringer Colt McCoy. But after suffering a neck injury two games ago in St. Louis, McCoy was placed on injured reserve this week, ending his season and placing RGII back under center. Although he often still looked like a deer in headlights, Griffin got his 'Skins out to an early 10-7 lead. But Mark Sanchez and the Eagles didn't do themselves any favors.

For a team that has been neck and neck with Dallas for the NFC East, the Eagles looked as if they decided all of that pressure of besting the Cowboys and going to the playoffs was too much to handle, so why not just let Tony Romo and the Cowboys take control and deal with it. There were penalties aplenty against the Eagles, in addition to two missed field goal attempts and two turnovers by Sanchez. All that was missing was a reprise of the fabled "butt fumble" to cap off a bad night for Philly. The Fat Lady might not be singing yet, but she's starting to get warmed up.

One big story was Philly's rookie kicker Cody Parkey who missed two field goal attempts and doubled his number of misses this season. This was a microcosm of the Eagles' night in D.C. But while two bad field goals didn't help them any, it was the new and improved Sanchez, fresh off his tenure with the Jets, who cost his team.

There wasn't much for Mark Sanchez to smile about after losing by 3 points
to the Redskins (Google Images)

The moment that changed this game came inside of two minutes to go with the game tied at 24 and the Eagles' window to the playoffs about to slam shut. Under pressure, Sanchez forced a throw and was picked off by Redskins corner back Bashaud Breeland. This set up a Kai Forbath field goal, a 26-yard attempt, that split the uprights and won the Washington Redskins just their fourth game of the season.

After the game, Griffin said, "You would think a 3-11 football team would just quit. And we're not." One of his harshest critics, Gruden also applauded his quarterback, saying he "did an outstanding job of managing the football game." This win comes amid speculation that either one or both of these men might not be back in Washington next year. But after taking down a 9-5 football team battling for a playoff berth, a whole new layer has been added to this controversy.

The Washington Redskins are playing for pride and in toppling the Eagles, they've proved that they can play serious spoilers going into their game against Dallas next week. However, Philadelphia is fighting for much more. With this loss clinching a playoff spot for the Detroit Lions, all they can do is try to beat the New York Giants next weekend. Every other scenario is completely out of their control.

The Eagles haven't just landed. They've hit the ground hard.