Eagles’ Peters hurt
Carson Wentz threw four touchdown passes, and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame losing nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters (Arkansas Razorbacks) in a 34-24 victory over the Washington Redskins.
PHILADELPHIA — Carson Wentz stood tall in a collapsing pocket and kept making plays with his arm or legs.
Wentz tossed four touchdown passes, and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame losing nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters (Arkansas Razaorbacks) in a 34-24 victory over the Washington Redskins on Monday night.
“You step up and go into make-a-play mode,” Wentz said after making one highlight play after another in front of a national audience.
The second-year quarterback threw for 268 yards and ran for a career-best 63 after a shaky start to lead the NFLbest Eagles (6-1) to their fifth consecutive victory. But the night was costly because Peters was carted off the field with a knee injury in the third quarter.
Kirk Cousins threw for 303 and three TDs for the Redskins (3-3).
“Carson made some unbelievable plays there in crunchtime situations,” Redskins Coach Jay Gruden said. “We lost and it wasn’t good enough by anybody, offensively. But Kirk competed and made some great throws, some great plays.”
The Eagles went three-andout three times in their first four drives and had only 57 total yards before Wentz hit Mack Hollins in stride with a 64-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 10-10.
That got the offense rolling. Wentz connected with Zach Ertz for 46 yards on the next series and found him again for a 4-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-10.
After getting the second-half kickoff, the Eagles drove 86 yards for another touchdown. Peters was injured during the series, and fans chanted his name while teammates surrounded the cart.
Wentz finished the drive off with a play that Peters would appreciate. While being hit by two defenders and falling forward, Wentz lofted a 9-yard touchdown pass to Corey Clement.
“One of the best plays I’ve seen in a long time and by two young guys,” Eagles Coach Doug Pederson said. “To hang in there and take shot after shot, it’s amazing to me.”
Wentz fired a 10-yard touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor to expand the lead to 31-17. Wentz kept that drive alive by escaping a sack and running 17 yards on third and 8.
“That’s what makes him so special,” right tackle Lane Johnson said. “He has great field vision, and he’s got something a lot of guys don’t have.”
Cousins tossed a 7-yard touchdown to Chris Thompson to give the Redskins a 10-3 lead. He connected with Jordan Reed on a 5-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 2417 and threw a 12-yard pass to Reed to cap the scoring.
The Eagles were penalized on four consecutive plays to start their first possession before Wentz was intercepted by Quinton Dunbar on a deep pass to Torrey Smith on second and 31.
Philadelphia swept Washington for the first time since 2013 and has a commanding lead in the NFC East. The Cowboys and Redskins are tied for second place.