Redskins-Eagles takeaways: Philadelphia blanks Washington for the first time since 1980

Here are four takeaways from the Redskins’ 24-0 loss to the Eagles on Sunday at FedEx Field:

Redskins go out with a whimper: The Redskins had a chance to end the Eagles’ season with a win, no matter how Kirk Cousins and the Vikings fared in their regular season finale against the Bears. Instead, they allowed the defending Super Bowl champions to dominate them from start to finish in one of the ugliest statistical performances in franchise history. Washington was limited to fewer than 100 yards for the first time since 1961 and shut out by the Eagles for the first time since a 24-0 blanking in 1980. The loss means that the Redskins finish with a losing record for the 11th time in 20 seasons since owner Daniel Snyder bought the team in 1999 and for the third time in Coach Jay Gruden’s five seasons. Meanwhile, the Eagles got the help they needed from the Bears, who beat the Vikings, 24-10. Philadelphia will be a longshot to win the NFC again, but they’re in the dance, and Washington had a chance to prevent that.

A once-proud franchise, the Redskins are showing signs of foundational cracks

Josh Johnson finally looks like a fourth-string QB: For the first time since replacing Mark Sanchez in the second half of Washington’s Week 14 loss to the Giants, Johnson looked like a quarterback who had no business running an NFL offense. Johnson threw an interception on Washington’s first play from scrimmage and completed only 3 of 10 passes for 24 yards in the first half. He finished 12 of 27 for 91 yards and was sacked four times, and the Redskins went 0 for 9 on third down. It didn’t help that Washington’s running game was non-existent, with Adrian Peterson rushing for a season-low 0 yards on four carries. Johnson, who earned his first career win against Jacksonville two weeks ago, nine years after making his NFL debut, is still one of the best stories to come out of the Redskins’ injury-ravaged season. It’s unclear if he’ll be back to compete for a backup role next year.

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The defense offers little resistance: The Redskins’ front office may have already made up its mind about which members of the coaching staff will remain, but if not, Greg Manusky’s unit didn’t make much of a case for keeping the defensive coordinator around. The Eagles were 8 for 14 on third down, including three conversions on a 19-play touchdown drive in the second quarter that was the longest — in terms of number of plays — allowed by the Redskins since at least 1999. Washington was outgained 205-30 in the first half and at one point Eagles quarterback Nick Foles tied an NFL record with 25 consecutive completions. Philadelphia possessed the ball for more than 43 minutes, and the bright spots on defense, including an interception by Deshazor Everett, who was starting in place of the recently released D.J. Swearinger, were few and far between.

Green with envy: To say nothing of the Redskins’ performance on the field, Snyder couldn’t have enjoyed the view of the crowd from the owner’s box. Reporters at FedEx Field estimated that Eagles fans, most of them clad in green and black, accounted for roughly 70 percent of those in attendance. They were visible, especially in the lower bowl, and made themselves heard throughout the evening, booing the Redskins as they took the field and cheering every Foles completion and out-of-town score update from the Vikings-Bears game.

“The Eagles fans here at FedEx Field love it,” Fox’s Chris Myers said after Philadelphia moved the chains yet again on its second-quarter touchdown drive. Familiar chants of E-A-G-L-E-S could be heard during the NBC Sports Washington postgame show in Landover.

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Live updates and analysis

Final: Eagles 24, Redskins 0

The Eagles dominated the Redskins from start to finish and earned their first shutout in the series since 1980. Philadelphia need a Chicago win over Minnesota to make the playoffs. Washington finishes the season 7-9.

4th Quarter

Nate Sudfeld throws a touchdown pass: With Nick Foles questionable to return with a chest injury, Nate Sudfeld came on and led a 46-yard touchdown drive. Sudfeld capped the march with his first career touchdown pass, a 22-yard catch-and-run by Nelson Agholor, who has the first two-touchdown game of his career. (Eagles 24, Redskins 0, 7:24 4th Quarter)

Eagles take over on downs: Josh Johnson’s nightmarish game continues. The QB was sacked on consecutive plays, including a fourth-and-12 from the Philadelphia 43-yard line, to give the Eagles the ball back. (Eagles 17, Redskins 0, 11:29 4th Quarter)

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Nick Foles heads to the locker room: Eagles trainers led Foles to the locker room early in the fourth quarter. If he’s hurt, former Redskins draft pick Nate Sudfeld could enter the game for Philadelphia. (Eagles 17, Redskins 0, 13:00 4th Quarter)

Redskins punt again: Josh Johnson underthrew Jamison Crowder on a roll-out and followed with two more incompletions. Tress Way came on to punt again, and this time the Redskins didn’t break out the fake. (Eagles 17, Redskins 0, 14:30 4th Quarter)

3rd Quarter

Redskins convert on fake punt: After failing to convert on third down for the fifth time in five opportunities, Tress Way trotted on the field to punt. Instead, he threw a pass to Jehu Chesson for a seven-yard gain and a first down. (Eagles 17, Redskins 0, End of 3rd Quarter)

Eagles take 17-0 lead after replay review: Eagles Coach Doug Pederson challenged what was initially ruled an incompletion on an apparent six-yard touchdown catch by Nelson Agholor. The call was reversed upon replay review, giving Philadelphia a three-score lead. Agholor’s catch capped a 13-play, 68-yard drive that took more than seven minutes off the clock. (Eagles 17, Redskins 0, 1:25 3rd Quarter)

Redskins go three-and-out: Washington gained seven yards on its first possession of the second half,  but failed to convert on third down, resulting in Tress Way’s fourth punt. The Redskins are up to 37 total yards in the game. The last time they finished with fewer than 100 yards in a game was Nov. 26, 1961.  (Eagles 10, Redskins 0, 8:48 3rd Quarter)

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Redskins force a punt: The Eagles were poised to go for it on fourth-and-one from the Washington 40-yard line on their first drive of the second half, but they elected to punt after taking a delay of game penalty. Nick Foles set a single-game record for consecutive completions by an Eagles quarterback on the march. He’s at 19 and counting. (Eagles 10, Redskins 0, 10:24 3rd Quarter)

Halftime: Eagles 10, Redskins 0

The Eagles completely dominated the first half and would’ve led by even more if their second-quarter touchdown drive hadn’t lasted nearly 12 minutes. Philadelphia has 14 first downs to Washington’s 2, 205 total yards to the Redskins’ 30 and possessed the ball for more than 23 minutes. Josh Johnson has struggled for the first time this season, with three completions on 10 attempts. Meanwhile, Nick Foles is 19 for 22 for 143 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles are getting the help they need from the Bears, who lead Kirk Cousins and the Vikings 13-0 in Minnesota.

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2nd Quarter

Eagles take 10-0 lead before halftime: Alshon Jeffery made a two-yard touchdown catch with Josh Norman draped all over him to cap an impressive 19-play, 87-yard drive that took nearly 12 minutes off the clock. It’s the longest drive, by number of plays, allowed by the Redskins since at least 1999. Philadelphia was three-for-four on third-down on the march and also had a fourth-down conversion. The Eagles have outgained the Redskins 205-24 and have an 18-minute advantage in time of possession. (Eagles 10, Redskins 0, 0:30 2nd Quarter)

Eagles are on the move: Facing fourth-and-one from the Redskins’ 15-yard line, the Eagles went for it after the two-minute warning and converted on a Nick Foles quarterback sneak. Philadelphia is 14 for 23 on fourth down this season. (Eagles 3, Redskins 0, 1:25 2nd Quarter)

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Another Redskins drive ends in a punt: The Redskins picked up their first down of the game on a Josh Johnson completion to Josh Doctson over the middle, but the drive stalled from there. Johnson scrambled to avoid a sack on second down, but he couldn’t run away from a swarm of defenders on third-and-short and was pushed out of bounds for a loss of five. (Eagles 3, Redskins 0, 12:19 2nd Quarter)

That first quarter could’ve gone better for the home team: The Redskins ran eight plays for two yards and were outgained 113-2 in the first quarter. They can thank their defense for only being down 3-0. (Eagles 3, Redskins 0, Start of 2nd Quarter)

1st Quarter

Eagles take 3-0 lead late in the first quarter: Jake Elliott capped an 11-play, 64-yard drive with a 33-yard field goal to open the scoring in Landover. The key play on the march was a dazzling 16-yard catch by Alshon Jeffery along the sideline on third down. Meanwhile, the Bears lead the Vikings in Minnesota, 7-0, late in the fourth quarter. (Eagles 3, Redskins 0, 0:22 1st Quarter)

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Josh Johnson’s slow start continues: The Redskins’ QB is now 1 for 5 for seven yards and an interception after having a pass batted at the line of scrimmage and throwing one into the dirt on Washington’s latest series. It hasn’t helped that Adrian Peterson hasn’t gotten going, with only one carry for minus-four yards. (Redskins 0, Eagles 0, 6:42 1st Quarter)

Eagles go three-and-out: Neither team’s offense has had much success yet. The Eagles punted the ball right back to Washington after Golden Tate couldn’t corral a well thrown pass by Nick Foles on third-and-eight. (Redskins 0, Eagles 0, 7:38 1st Quarter)

Redskins go three-and-out: After a holding penalty on Jeremy Sprinkle wiped out an eight-yard gain by Adrian Peterson on first down and Josh Johnson completed a short pass to Jamison Crowder, Johnson threw a pair of incompletions along the right sideline and Tress Way came on for his first punt of the game. (Redskins 0, Eagles 0, 9:22 1st Quarter)

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Deshazor Everett picks off Nick Foles: The Eagles failed to capitalize on Washington’s early turnover, as Foles overthrew tight end Zach Ertz on third-and-five from the Redskins’ 23-yard line. Everett, starting in place of recently released D.J. Swearinger, was there for the easy interception and returned it 24 yards to the Washington 31. (Redskins 0, Eagles 0, 10:48 1st Quarter)

Josh Johnson throws an interception on first play from scrimmage: The Redskins won the toss, elected to receive and dialed up a play-action pass on first down. Josh Johnson rolled to his right and fired deep down the field for Josh Doctson, who appeared open for a moment, but Eagles cornerback Rasul Douglas recovered in time to make the interception at the Philadelphia 30-yard line. The Philadelphia fans in attendance — and there are a lot of them — roared in approval. (Redskins 0, Eagles 0, 14:44 1st Quarter)

Josh Johnson's first pass of the day was intercepted to the delight of the enormous Eagles crowd. This means Johnson's last three throws have been intercepted.

Pregame notes

Legendary Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs, a reminder of happier times for this franchise, is at FedEx Field for the finale.

Expect a lot of Eagles fans.

This is too stupid to make up:

Upon parking and starting my walk towards the stadium I saw nothing but Eagles fans. As I turned towards the main lots, I saw a Giants jersey before any Redskins gear.

The Eagles come out for pregame warmups, loudly greeted by a robust pro-Philadelphia crowd iat FedEx Field

Washington Redskins (7-8) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7)
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m., FedEx Field
TV: Fox | Radio: 630, 980 AM; 92.7, 94.3, 105.9 FM
Line: Eagles by 6

Eliminated from playoff contention, the Washington Redskins look to play spoiler in Sunday’s regular season finale in Landover. A win over the Philadelphia Eagles in front of what figures to be a healthy contingent of Philly fans would end the defending Super Bowl champions’ year. The Eagles need a win and some help in the form of a Chicago Bears win over the Minnesota Vikings to qualify for the postseason. Otherwise, Kirk Cousins and Minnesota will claim the NFC’s final wild card spot.

The Eagles won this season’s first meeting with the Redskins on “Monday Night Football” in Week 13, but both teams enter the rematch with different quarterbacks. Colt McCoy fractured his leg in the loss at Philadelphia and gave way to Mark Sanchez, who was replaced by Josh Johnson in the second half the following week. Carson Wentz suffered a season-ending injury at Dallas in the Eagles’ next game, putting Philadelphia’s fading playoff hopes in the hands of Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. All Foles has done the last two weeks is lead his team to wins over the L.A. Rams and Houston Texans.

This post will be updated throughout Sunday’s game.

Pregame reading:

A once-proud franchise, the Redskins are showing signs of foundational cracks

Five potential keys to Sunday’s Redskins-Eagles game

Ty Nsekhe ruled out for Redskins’ season finale

Greg Manusky on D.J. Swearinger: ‘He said what he said. I can’t do anything about it.’

Larry Johnson says Redskins’ stint ‘was like Bad New Bears meets the Little Giants’

Joe Theismann knows what Alex Smith and the Redskins are facing

Welcome to the Redskins, where honesty is not in the employee handbook

Josh Norman says he had to confront Titans’ Taylor Lewan for his ‘maximum disrespect’

Redskins’ Jordan Reed, Colt McCoy placed on injured reserve

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