Washington’s defense takes over in win against San Francisco EAGLES 24, SAINTS 21 BUCCANEERS 26, VIKINGS 14
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Washington seized further control of a sloppy and occasionally comical NFC East race with its fourth straight win on Sunday.
The team can thank its young, impressive defense for nearly single-handedly delivering the victory.
Rookies Chase Young and Kamren Curl scored defensive touchdowns as Washington grabbed sole possession of first place in the division after a gritty 23-15 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Washington started the season with a 2-7 record but now the playoffs are a very real possibility, even with quarterback Alex Smith’s availability in question. He missed the second half with soreness in his surgically repaired right leg.
“We’re trying to talk about where we’re headed, not where we’ve been,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said. “That’s one of the big things in the message I’m hoping to get across. As we go forward as a football team, we’re going to be a different team.”
Washington (6-7) took a 13-7 lead at halftime after Young scooped up a fumble, shook off a tackle and ran 47 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown with 1:11 left in the second quarter.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Young said. “I was out there playing ball and good things happened for me today.”
Dwayne Haskins, the 15th overall pick in the 2019 draft, replaced Smith in the second half. The 23-year-old was the team’s starter at the beginning of the season but benched after four games.
NEXT: Seahawks at Washington, 10 a.m. Sunday. 49ers at Cowboys, 10 a.m. Sunday.
Jalen Hurts ran for 106 yards and threw for 167 and one touchdown, Miles Sanders had 115 yards rushing and a pair of scores and Philadelphia (4-8-1) snapped a four-game losing streak and stayed within reach in the woeful NFC East. The Saints (10-3) had won nine in a row and were 8-0 over the past two seasons without Drew Brees before running into the inspired Eagles.
The loss dropped the Saints to the No. 2 seed in the NFC behind Green Bay, but they already have secured a playoff berth. Hurts was 17 of 30 in his first career start after replacing Carson Wentz. Taysom Hill was 28 of 38 for 291 yards, two TDS, one interception and was sacked five times by Philly. Sanders brook loose for an 82-yard TD run in the second quarter, giving the Eagles a 17-0 lead. It was the fourth-longest run in franchise history.
■ NEXT: Eagles at Cardinals, 1:05 p.m. Sunday. Chiefs at Saints, 1:25 p.m. Sunday.
Tom Brady threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns, one to Scotty
Miller and one to Rob Gronkowski to rebound from losing two straight home games. The Bucs (8-5) lost three of four games to division title contenders leading into last week’s bye, including a pair of 27-24 losses at home to the Rams and reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs. They entered Sunday holding the sixth playoff spot in the NFC, with the Vikings (6-7) nipping at their heels after winning five of six following a 1-5 start. Tampa Bay sacked Kirk Cousins six times, the last producing a fumble that ended any chance of a rally in the closing minutes. Cousins finished 24 of 37 passing for 225 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
■ NEXT: Buccaneers at Falcons, 10 a.m. Sunday. Bears at Vikings, 10 a.m. Sunday.
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