New York loss helps Dallas,
Washington wins NFC East with Victory next week
Robert Griffin III showed he can win games without using his legs. One more victory puts the Washington Redskins in the playoffs.
Griffin threw a pair of touchdown passes in his first game back from a knee injury, Kai Forbath set the NFL record for consecutive field goals to begin a career, and the Redskins held on to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-20 on Sunday for their sixth straight win.
Counted out by their own coach six weeks ago, the Redskins (9-6) are on the brink of their first division title in 13 years. Washington can clinch the NFC East with a victory over Dallas at home next Sunday.
The Redskins haven’t won it since 1999 and last reached the playoffs in 2007. They could still back into the postseason with a loss.
“We’re already onto the next one,” Griffin said. “You don’t cele- brate wins at this point of the season.”
Nick Foles drove the Eagles to the Redskins 5 before his intentional grounding penalty ended the game.
Trying to play spoiler, the Eagles (4-11) fell short in what could’ve been coach Andy Reid’s last game at home. Reid is unlikely to return for a 15th season next year. The Eagles, who are missing the playoffs for the second straight year after com- ing in with huge expectations, finish at the New York Giants.
“I have nothing to tell you on that,” Reid said. “I’m the coach right now.”
A sprained right knee forced Griffin to miss last week’s win at Cleveland. The rookie had a seasonlow 4 yards rushing but made several big throws to lead Washington.
“Anytime you wear a brace, it’s going to restrict your motion,” Grif- fin said. “It didn’t slow me down by any means. I felt like myself out there.”
Griffin was 16 of 24 for 198 yards, although he did throw the first interception by the Eagles in nine games.
Forbath hit field goals of 45 and 42 yards in the second quarter. The second was his 17th straight, breaking Garrett Hartley’s record for consecutive field goals made to start a career.