The Washington Redskins’ season finale summed up the frustration felt by both the team and its fans amid another long and putrid campaign. After hanging through three quarters, miscues and miscommunication allowed Philadelphia to rack up a 21-point fourth quarter as Washington dropped its last game of the season, 34-10, at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field Jan 1.
Washington (5-11) finished last in the NFC East for the fifth time in six years.
Kicker Graham Gano’s 27-yard field goal cut Philadelphia’s lead to 13-10 at the top of the fourth quarter, but Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson hooked up for a 62-yard touchdown bomb on the next drive. The play appeared to drain whatever life that was left from a frustrated Redskins team before the Eagles ran off two more scores.
Washington recovered a Vick fumble just before halftime set the offense up in the red zone trailing 10-0. An unsportsmanlike conduct call on Santana Moss for removing his helmet pushed the team out of easy scoring position, before a completed pass in the middle of the field kept the clock running and left Washington scambling. The Redskins couldn’t get lined up in time and entered halftime without a point on the board.
Philadelphia (8-8) avenged a home loss to Washington last season, a game in which Vick left early after fracturing his ribs. This time however, Vick stayed upright to finish with 335 passing yards and three touchdowns, torching Washington’s secondary throughout the game.
With several holes to fill on both sides of the ball, Washington will once again look to the NFL Draft in April to help resuscitate the franchise. Washington is tied with Jacksonville for the sixth worst record in the league.
