Cousins leads Redskins over Eagles 27-22 (Dec 11, 2016)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Chris Thompson kept running into the end zone on one of those rare times scoring a touchdown wasn't the optimal play.
Ryan Kerrigan made sure it didn't matter.
Thompson had a 25-yard TD run with 1:53 remaining, Kerrigan forced a turnover in the red zone and the Washington Redskins beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-22 on Sunday.
''Had he taken a knee, we could've run the clock down and kicked a field goal, but there's no guarantees with those and we learned the hard way in London,'' coach Jay Gruden said about Thompson's run. ''Smart thing to do would've been to take a knee, but that's hard for a running back to do.''
Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes, including an 80-yard toss to DeSean Jackson, and had a pick-6.
The Eagles took a 22-21 lead when Caleb Sturgis hit a 41-yard field goal with 4:59 left after holder Donnie Jones got the high snap from third-string long snapper Trey Burton down in time.
Carson Wentz drove Philadelphia to the Redskins 14 in the final minute, but Kerrigan sacked him to force a fumble and seal the win for Washington.
The Redskins (7-5-1) snapped a two-game losing streak and remained in the middle of a jumbled playoff race.
''Our heart is still beating, we're still rolling,'' Gruden said.
The Eagles (5-8) have lost four in a row and eight of 10 after a 3-0 start.
''This is a resilient group,'' coach Doug Pederson said. ''They hung together. They battled. It's great to see how far they've come through adversity.''
Jackson made a twisting, over-the-shoulder catch and spun away from Leodis McKelvin before slowing down and jogging into the end zone to give the Redskins a 14-13 lead in the third quarter.
''DeSean would've been a world-class center fielder,'' Gruden said. ''He adjusts to the ball and tracks it like no other.''
McKelvin intercepted Cousins and returned it 29 yards for a TD early in the fourth quarter, but Wentz's pass to Jordan Matthews was knocked down on the 2-point conversion.
Cousins then connected with Pierre Garcon on a 15-yard TD pass to extend the lead to 21-13.
After Dustin Hopkins hit the left post on a 38-yard try in the first quarter, the Redskins took a 7-6 lead on their next possession. Rob Kelley knocked over a defender at the end of a nifty, 22-yard TD run .
Wentz finished with 314 yards passing and one TD pass. Cousins threw for 234.
''We just didn't finish at the end,'' Wentz said.
The Redskins have won five straight games against the Eagles.
SNAPPING PROBLEMS
The Eagles lost long snapper Jon Dorenbos to a right wrist injury. Backup Brent Celek made a poor snap on a 50-yard field goal attempt and then suffered a stinger, leaving Burton to handle the tough task. After the offense lined up to go for fourth-and-1, Wentz called a timeout. Burton practiced a couple snaps on the sideline along with linebacker Mychal Kendricks. Jones had to reach up to catch Burton's snap and Sturgis took a stutter-step before kicking the ball through the uprights.
BLINDSIDED
Darren Sproles took a hard shot to the head while trying to catch a punt in the fourth quarter and left the game to be treated for a head injury. Washington's Deshazor Everett ran Sproles over, drawing an unsportsmanlike penalty. Players from both sides immediately started pushing and shoving. Sproles remained down for a couple minutes before walking off.
BLUNDERS
An illegal block by Zach Ertz negated Sproles' 72-yard punt return for a score in the third quarter. ... The Eagles drove to the Redskins 3 on their second possession before Wentz tossed an interception to Everett on third down.
HOMECOMING
Jackson went to three Pro Bowls in six seasons with the Eagles, but former coach Chip Kelly released him after his most productive year in 2013. The 30-year-old Jackson will be a free agent after this season and already said he wouldn't mind returning to Philadelphia. He mingled and exchanged hugs with stadium personnel on Philadelphia's sideline before the game.
INJURIES
Eagles RG Brandon Brooks was sidelined by an illness for the second time in three games. RT Allen Barbre left with a hamstring injury. ... Redskins S Su'a Cravens injured his right biceps in the first quarter. LB Will Compton left with a knee injury. RB Mack Brown sustained a concussion.
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