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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARI at NE | ATL at MIN | BAL at DAL | BUF at DEN | CAR at NYG | CIN at CLE | GB at CHI | HOU at OAK |
| IND at JAX | MIA at KC | NO at DET | NYJ at SEA | PHI at WAS | PIT at TEN | SD at TB | SF at STL |
Week 16 Game Recap: Philadelphia Eagles 3, Washington Redskins 10
What you need to know
| Philadelphia Eagles |
Donovan McNabb and the Eagles blew a chance to take a strangle hold on one of the last wild card spots but McNabb and the Eagles seemingly played without any urgency or passion. The Washington defense kept McNabb uncomfortable with a good mix of zones and man to man coverage. The QB/Receiver timing was off almost the entire night as McNabb was forced to go to his second and third reads. He was held to 230 yards and no scores. The key play of the game was a sack/strip by DE Jason Taylor which gave the Redskins a short field to work with. This is the drive that led to the Clinton Portis winning touchdown.
Running back Brian Westbrook was held reasonably in check by a fired up Washington defense. Westbrook amassed 45 yards on the ground and 71 yards receiving. Oddly, his first target was not until midway through the third quarter. Westbrook left the game a couple of times with minor injuries and was seemingly banged up all game. He did not have his normal burst or ability to separate from the line backers who cover him out of the back field.
DeSean Jackson had a forgettable afternoon with four drops, one of which would have been a game tying score. Jackson was also injured during the game and missed a series while getting x-rays on his ribs. He certainly was Philadelphia's most dangerous option throughout the game, but he and McNabb were not able to hook up.
| Washington Redskins |
Clinton Portis scored his first touchdown in four games as he was able to get in from one yard out. The score turned out to be the difference in the game. Portis put up 70 yards on 22 attempts as Washington was committed to staying balanced and winning the time of possession stat. Portis had to leave the game with an apparent injury to his left hand but did return.
Jason Campbell posted his first 3000 yard passing season with an additional 144 yards passing. Campbell did just enough through the air to keep the very game Eagles defense from just stacking the box. Campbell moved the team well between the twenties, but never could really finish a drive.
Shaun Suisham had his league leading tenth missed field goal on the year when his 54 year attempt came up about ten yards short. Suisham was able to make one field goal and convert his extra point attempt.
What you ought to know
| QB Donovan McNabb, Pass: 26 - 46 - 230 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - 8 - 0 |
Full credit should be given to the Washington defense as it appeared that McNabb did not like what he was seeing. He often had to check the ball down and look for his second and third progression as nobody was open. With some windy weather in play, McNabb really struggled with his control as he skipped numerous attempts into the ground. On the throws that he was getting to his receivers they were often dropping them making for many short drives. The Eagles committed seven drops in total. Of note, the Eagles were without wide receivers Kevin Curtis and Hank Baskett.
| RB Brian Westbrook, Rush: 12 - 45 - 0, Rec: 6 - 71 - 0 (7 targets) |
The Eagles and Westbrook were not able to establish a running game and became one dimensional as the game went on. It appeared that Westbrook at times was getting a little too cute with his runs. He was trying to bounce everything outside instead of taking the sure yards from North/South running. This cost Westbrook a first down later in the game. It was odd that Westbrook wasn't targeted with a pass until nearly half way through the third quarter. Once they got Westbrook more involved they had a little more success moving the football. His best play of the game was a reception on wheel route with a defensive lineman in coverage. The lineman actually looked like he pulled his hamstring feebly trying to cover Westbrook who took the play up the left sidelines for a 47 yard gain.
| RB Correll Buckhalter, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 2 - 18 - 0 (2 targets) |
Buckhalter was used sparingly when Westbrook was in need of a rest or out with a temporary injury. He was able to catch both of his targets for a total of 18 yards and was not able to get much done on the ground.
| WR Reggie Brown, Rec: 4 - 47 - 0 (6 targets) |
Brown made a fabulous reception that was stopped at the half yard in bounds with about five seconds left and no Eagle timeouts remaining. The play was reviewed and ultimately upheld by the officials as Brown was not able to break the plane of the goal line for what would have been the game tying touchdown.
| WR DeSean Jackson, Rush: 1 - 7 - 0, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (8 targets) |
As mentioned above, it was a forgettable game for the rookie. He displayed some good route running and was able to generate some separation on his routes. However, it was his hands that let him down. There was a pair of potential long gains that he was not able to come up with despite being in good position to make the catch.
| WR Jason Avant, Rec: 2 - 16 - 0 (6 targets) |
Avant was able to catch two of his six targets on the game for a total 16 yards. He was targeted deep one time were he had a step on his defender but was over thrown by his quarterback.
| WR Greg Lewis, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (1 targets) |
Lewis was not a factor in this game.
| TE L.J. Smith, Rec: 7 - 49 - 0 (10 targets) |
Smith was the leader in targets and receptions for the Eagles. However, he was held to just 49 yards and was not able to do much after the catch. This may have been due to McNabb needing to check the ball down and the late start that Westbrook had in the passing game. Many of Smith's receptions were within five yards of the line of scrimmage were he was immediately tackled. On one play, he was able to run over CB DeAngelo Hall for a decent pick up.
| TE Brent Celek, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (1 targets) |
Celek who had a run of decent games lately was held quiet with only eight yards.
| PK David Akers 1 - 1 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 3 points |
Akers was able to score the only points for the Eagles on his 22 yard field goal.
| PHI Rush Defense |
The Eagles were able to keep the game close by holding Clinton Portis to 70 yards and only the one score. In total the Redskins rushed for 122 yards.
| PHI Pass Defense |
The pass defense was solid and they limited Washington from making any big plays through the air. The defense really kept their team in this game and gave the offense every chance to stage a comeback. Asante Samuels missed a huge opportunity for an interception when he was not able to hang onto an attempted throw away from Jason Campbell. This group held the Washington offense to 144 yards through the air.
| QB Jason Campbell, Pass: 18 - 33 - 144 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - 28 - 0 |
Campbell had a solid but unspectacular game. He didn't make any huge mistakes nor did he make any big plays. Many of his yards came from screens, dump offs and short hitch routes. This conservative style was effective at moving his team and eating the clock. Campbell also struggled with his control like McNabb did and perhaps the wind was a factor for both. He led a couple of nice long drives were it looked like he and the team was finding a rhythm, only to have the drives stall out.
| RB Clinton Portis, Rush: 22 - 70 - 1, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (2 targets) |
As we've seen many times this year, Portis did his best running off the left edge. He had a couple of bigger runs that went for 10-15 yards, but was not able to hit a big one. The steady and conservative approach helped the Redskins hold onto the ball for 33 minutes. Portis was able to find the end zone from a yard out following a Jason Taylor sack and strip of Donavan McNabb. This was his first score in four games.
| RB Ladell Betts, Rush: 7 - 23 - 0, Rec: 5 - 43 - 0 (5 targets) |
Betts made the most of his touches in this game and was strong catching the ball out of the backfield. He was the leading Washington receiver with five grabs and 43 yards. It seemed like every time he caught the ball it was good for five to eight yards and it helped to set up shorter second and third downs. Betts was able to fill in for Portis when he left with his hand injury. He was also able to contribute 23 yards on the ground.
| WR Santana Moss, Rec: 5 - 28 - 0 (9 targets) |
Moss did get a couple of red zone looks but was not able to make good on either opportunity. His best catch of the day was a leaping snag along the sidelines. He smartly helped out his quarterback Campbell by coming back towards the line of scrimmage for the ball. Moss was held to just 28 and has struggled of late generating much offense.
| WR Antwaan Randle El, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (5 targets) |
Randle El was only able to gather in one of his five targets. Most of his looks are coming on slants and short crossing routes underneath. He paid a penalty for his catch as he was drilled after the making the catch by the Eagles secondary.
| WR Devin Thomas, Rec: 1 - 17 - 0 (3 targets) |
The rookie had a quiet game with a lone 17 yard sideline catch.
| WR James Thrash (1 targets) |
Thrash had no catches and was not a factor in this game.
| TE Chris Cooley, Rec: 4 - 28 - 0 (5 targets) |
The freshly named Pro Bowl tight end was held in check with only four receptions for 28 yards. Campbell really spread the ball out and no one player had more then five receptions. Cooley was used close to the line of scrimmage and rarely stretched the field.
| TE Fred Davis, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (3 targets) |
Davis has been recognized by his coaches as one of the improving players on this team and was rewarded with some targets in this game. He was able to make a short catch and also had a drop.
| PK Shaun Suisham 1 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points |
Suisham had four points, a 33 yarder and a converted extra point. He also missed from 54 yards with the wind and came up well short. This has been a recent theme with Suisham over the last four or five games.
| WAS Rush Defense |
They did a super job of holding Westbrook and company to only 67 yards. The lack of a rush attack made the Eagles one dimensional and easier to defend.
| WAS Pass Defense |
Defensive coordinator Greg Blanche did a solid job of mixing his blitzes and zones to keep McNabb guessing throughout the game. He never got comfortable and could sustain any drives. He and the Eagles were held to 230 yards, many of which came on the very last drive of the game in prevent mode.