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Redskins vs. Eagles: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2014 Regular Season

Rob Goldberg@TheRobGoldbergX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistSeptember 21, 2014

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 21:  Jordan Matthews #81 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his touchdown late in the second quarter with teammate quarterback Nick Foles #9 against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field on September 21, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Rich Schultz/Getty Images

In an emotional game between divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles outlasted the Washington Redskins and escaped with a 37-34 win.

LeSean McCoy was held to just 22 rushing yards on 20 carries, but Nick Foles came through with 325 passing yards and three touchdowns to help lead the Eagles to a 3-0 record.   

Kirk Cousins—starting in place of the injured Robert Griffin III—had a huge game with 427 passing yards and three touchdowns to go with one interception. He found his playmakers, DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, early and often as the duo combined for 255 of those receiving yards.

However, a few mistakes and a poor defensive effort forced the Redskins to fall to 1-2 on the year.

Cousins got off to a fast start, completing all seven of his passes on the first drive for 59 yards, including a four-yard touchdown pass to Darrel Young. 

ESPN's Mark Schlereth liked what he saw from the young quarterback at this point:

mark schlereth @markschlereth

Cousins is showing you why Washington didn't want to trade him! He's flat dealing

However, the Eagles were able to respond right away thanks to their special teams, as Trey Wingo of ESPN described:

trey wingo @wingoz

Chris Polk cares not for Washington's kick coverage.. 102 yd TD return.. 7-7

The rest of the first half was a showcase between Foles and Cousins with both offenses doing whatever they wanted in a high-scoring battle. 

After the Redskins took a 20-14 lead in the second quarter, Foles unleashed his best throw of the day to put his team ahead on his second touchdown pass to Jordan Matthews. ESPN's Kevin Negandhi was impressed by the accuracy:

Kevin Negandhi @KNegandhiESPN

That was a tight window to Matthews. Excellent throw by Foles. Hard to believe the Eagles will lead this game.

By halftime, the Eagles held a 21-20 lead, but both starting quarterbacks were performing well, via CBS Sports' Eye on Football:

SportsLine @SportsLine

Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins going at it in Philly. Cousins at halftime: 19/25, 188 yards, 2 TDs. Foles: 12/14, 157 yards, 2 TDs.

The scoring slowed a bit in the second half with Philadelphia settling for a pair of field goals. This was until DeSean Jackson got revenge against his former team with an 81-yard touchdown reception.

Rich Eisen of NFL Network described the play as the Redskins tied it, 27-27:

Rich Eisen @richeisen

DeSean Jackson will dream moment: game tying 80 yard TD to tie game. Back pedals in. Does Eagles fly and kick in end zone.

This was just the start of what became an emotional game.

In the midst of a Redskins interception return in the fourth quarter (which was later reviewed and called incomplete), defensive tackle Chris Baker put a big hit on Foles, which Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports detailed:

Charles Robinson @CharlesRobinson

Here it is, frame by frame. Chris Baker...elbow right into Nick Foles' neck/upper chest. Dirty. http://t.co/hfdjDb04S0

Baker was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, along with Eagles tackle Jason Peters in an ensuing scuffle, leaving the line shorthanded, as Jeff Skversky of WPVI Philadelphia noted:

Jeff Skversky 6abc @JeffSkversky

Jason Peters is ejected for going after Chris Baker who took cheap shot on Nick Foles. Todd Herremans only starter left on OL

Foles was able to respond with a touchdown drive, hitting Jeremy Maclin from 27 yards out to take the lead.

The Redskins had a chance to either tie or go ahead in the closing minutes, but Cousins overthrew a receiver on fourth down to end the threat. Still, Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan enjoyed every minute of it:

Grant Paulsen @granthpaulsen

Are you kidding me? This is as entertaining a #Redskins game as I've watched in years.

Even in the loss, there was a lot to like about the Redskins. Head coach Jay Gruden was confident in Cousins coming through in this game, via Mike Wise of The Washington Post:

I feel like we can win any game with Kirk Cousins...Kirk is a special guy. He started four games last year and didn’t have great success, but obviously has a skill set that I feel like is very much suited for what we do. He can handle it mentally, and obviously, physically. I feel that he can make every throw in the book and we are going to move forward with Kirk.

Although he could not pull out the win, it is clear the quarterback has the ability to lead this team in the future.

Washington will have a short week before playing the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football. Considering the importance of every division game, the squad will strive to be ready physically and mentally in time.

Things get tougher for the Eagles with a road game against the San Francisco 49ers. With both teams projected to be top contenders in the NFC, this matchup could have major implications for the remainder of the season.

Based on the ability to come through in big moments thus far, Philadelphia should go into Week 4 with a lot of confidence.

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