PHILADELPHIA -- A few thoughts on the Philadelphia Eagles' 37-34 victory over the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field:
What it means: The Eagles remain undefeated and in first place in the NFC East. This game presented even more adversity than their two other comeback wins against Jacksonville and Indianapolis. The Eagles lost center Jason Kelce to injury in the first half, leaving them with just two of their original five starting offensive linemen. That rendered LeSean McCoy and the running game ineffective. Washington took a 17-7 lead in the first half, but the Eagles came back and took control of the game.
Stock Watch: Nick Foles' stock is up after this one. With the Eagles’ running game hampered by injuries along the line and McCoy’s first-half head injury, Foles had to carry the load. He did, throwing two perfect strikes for touchdowns to Jordan Matthews in the second quarter. In the fourth, after Washington tied the game at 27, Foles absorbed a big hit by Washington defensive tackle Chris Baker. The officials ejected Baker for the hit. Foles stayed in the game and directed the drive to the go-ahead touchdown. He completed it with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin.
Line crumbling: Stop us if you heard the one about the Eagles’ offensive line playing all 16 games last season. This season is already very different, with left guard Evan Mathis and right tackles Lane Johnson and Allen Barbre out. One reason the Eagles were able to remain competent without them was center Kelce. But Kelce left this game in the first half with an abdominal injury. David Molk replaced him. He wasn’t bad, but the attrition started taking a toll in both pass protection and the running game.
Game ball: Give it to Foles, freeze it overnight and let him use it as an ice pack Monday. He’ll need it after the beating he took in this game. Foles appeared injured (his shoulder, most likely) after being hit in the third quarter but stayed in the game. He looked very shaky after the hit by Baker. He stayed in the game. He also made some of his best throws of this season, never letting the physical pounding affect his performance.
What’s next: The Eagles travel across the country and across divisions for a game next Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. That will be the last game of Johnson’s four-game suspension. This game loomed as a chance for the Eagles to prove themselves among the NFC’s best. It still does, but they will have to get by with a patchwork offensive line.
