PHILADELPHIA _ Carson Wentz never saw Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan come around his blind side. There were 21 seconds remaining and the Eagles needed 14 yards to take the lead, offered the opportunity for a dramatic game-winning drive in a season when hope has faded.
Kerrigan hit Wentz to the ground and popped the ball loose. Washington recovered the fumble and the Eagles' effort for a win _ and a winning season _ ended.
The 27-22 loss to the Redskins dropped the Eagles to 5-8. It was the Eagles' fourth consecutive defeat and second loss to Washington this season. It came in a game that included three long snappers for the Eagles and a handful of Eagles injuries. That included Darren Sproles, who left after a hit that enraged the Eagles sideline.
The Eagles opened the game with their first lead since Week 11 in Seattle when Caleb Sturgis connected on a 45-yard field goal on the first drive.
The defense played its part by forcing a three-and-out on Washington's first possession, and the Eagles had a chance to add to their lead. Wentz brought the offense all the way to Washington's 3-yard line, but then came the costly mistake that has become too common in recent weeks.
On a third down, Wentz tried finding Zach Ertz streaking across the middle. He forced the pass ahead of Ertz, and it was intercepted by Deshazor Everett. The Eagles were left with just three points despite controlling most of the first quarter.
The Eagles doubled their lead to start the second quarter, when Sturgis hit a 38-yard field goal to finish a 10-play, 53-yard drive.
The lead didn't last long. Washington went 69 yards on 10 plays, with the touchdown coming on a 22-yard run up the middle by Redskins running back Robert Kelley. That run looked similar to the Oct. 16 meeting against Washington, when they rushed for 230 yards against the Eagles.
Unlike recent weeks, the Eagles stayed in the game. Wentz drove the Eagles downfield, converting three third-down pass attempts to bring the Eagles near the goal line in the final minute. With 32 seconds remaining, Wentz threw a fade to the smallest player on the field _ Sproles _ who caught a 4-yard touchdown pass to give the Eagles a 13-7 into the second half. It was their first halftime lead since the Nov. 13 win over Atlanta.
After forcing a three-and-out to begin the second half, the Eagles could have taken a two-score lead when Sproles returned a punt for a 72-yard touchdown. However, a flag rested near where Sproles caught the ball. Ertz was flagged for an illegal block in the back, nullifying the touchdown.
The Redskins forced the Eagles to punt, and they needed two plays to take the lead. Cousins found DeSean Jackson deep for an 80-yard touchdown past Leodis McKelvin _ a play that reminded the Eagles fans what they once had with Jackson. McKelvin could not keep pace with Jackson, one of the NFL's elite deep threats, and the Eagles were left with a 14-13 deficit.
They were also left with other problems. Long snapper Jon Dorenbos had exited the game with a wrist injury, and the Eagles needed to figure out who else could long snap. The lack of a long snapper came into play when the Eagles set up for a 50-yard field goal and Brent Celek sputtered the snap, keeping the Eagles from attempting the kick and giving Washington the ball at its 46-yard line.
The Redskins answered with a six-play touchdown drive as Cousins found Garcon for a 15-yard score. The Eagles offense couldn't do anything on the ensuing drive, but McKelvin, of all cornerbacks, brought the Eagles back into contention.
Cousins tried hitting Jackson, but McKelvin had his redemption by jumping in front of the pass for an interception that he returned 29 yards for a touchdown.
That brought the crowd _ and the sideline _ back into the game. The defense forced Washington off the field after three plays.
Sproles ran out to return the punt, but he was pummeled to the ground before he even had a chance to field it. Everett crushed Sproles while the punt was still in the air, a personal foul penalty that sent Sproles to the locker room to check for a concussion and Sproles' teammates furious for the perceived dirty play. There was an altercation on the field, and the team's emotion went on overdrive.
With a drive that started at their own 40, the Eagles were able to drive into field-goal range. The problem was Dorenbos hadn't returned to the game, and Celek exited the game with a stinger. They were down to their third-string long snapper. That was Trey Burton. Burton sent a high snap that holder Donnie Jones was able to get on the ground, and Sturgis connected on a 41-yard field goal to give the Eagles the 22-21 lead.
Washington bounced back to take a lead on Chris Thompson's 22-yard touchdown run on a drive that included a fourth-down conversion.
That set up the final drive, when Wentz brought the Eagles 14 yards away from the end zone. He couldn't get them in the end zone, though, and the Eagles will travel to Baltimore next week needing to win out to avoid another losing season.
