National Football League

Eagles beat Redskins 24-16, take NFC East lead

Published Nov. 18, 2013 3:33 a.m. ET

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Nick Foles and Chip Kelly have the Philadelphia Eagles in position to go worst-to-first in the NFC East.

Foles threw for 298 yards and spun free for a touchdown, LeSean McCoy ran for two scores and the Eagles snapped a 10-game losing skid at Lincoln Financial Field with a 24-16 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

Brandon Boykin intercepted Robert Griffin III's pass in the end zone in the final minute to seal the win after the Redskins rallied from a 24-0 deficit.

A year after finishing 4-12 under Andy Reid, Kelly has guided his Eagles (6-5) to the division lead. They're a half-game ahead of idle Dallas (5-5).

The defending division champion Redskins fell to 3-7.

The Eagles have come a long way since getting zero offensive touchdowns in consecutive home losses to drop to 3-5 last month. They'll enter their bye week on a three-game winning streak.

''Not one person on this team was defeated,'' Foles said. ''Everybody in our locker room believed we can win and if you feel that way, it's something special. We have to keep the momentum going.''

RG3 threw TD passes of 62 yards to Darrel Young and 41 yards to Aldrick Robinson and both 2-point conversions got the Redskins within 8.

The Redskins had the ball at the Eagles 18 when Griffin threw off his back foot and was picked by Boykin.

''I was trying to throw the ball in the back of the end zone,'' he said. ''It didn't get to where I wanted it to go. Obviously I was on my heels. Something I can definitely learn from.''

Five things learned in Philadelphia's win over Washington:

EAGLES D IS FOR REAL: Despite missing three injured starters, the Eagles shut down Washington's high-powered attack for three quarters and made the big play at the end. Since a 52-20 loss at Denver in Week 4, the Eagles have allowed 21 points or fewer in seven straight games. They've adjusted nicely to new defensive coordinator Billy Davis' 3-4 system and have made steady improvement every week.

''The defense turned it around very well,'' wideout DeSean Jackson said. ''They're doing some great things. As an offense, it's great to have your defense going out there and competing, doing a good job, making the other team punt.''

NOT THE SAME SKINS: These aren't last year's Redskins, who won their last seven games after a 3-6 start and captured their first division title since 1999. RG3 is clearly still working his way back from major knee surgery and he struggled with poor decisions and bad timing on some throws.

''The season's always going to have meaning,'' Griffin said. ''I know the guys, I know the character in that locker room. We'll keep fighting. Each week we're trying to win games, doesn't matter what your record is. You never know what's going to happen at the end of the year.''

HOME FIELD IS AN ADVANTAGE: The Eagles hadn't won at the Linc in 413 days since defeating the New York Giants on Sept. 30, 2012. They lost all four home games this season, and needed to end the streak to have any chance at winning the division. Three of Philadelphia's final five games are at home and they won't go on the road again until Dec. 15.

COMMITTED TO RUN: Even after falling behind early, the Redskins kept running the ball as Griffin only threw seven passes in the first half. They were trailing 24-0 and still running the ball before RG3 started putting the ball in the air. They had success keeping it on the ground as Alfred Morris ran for 93 yards, but they didn't score any points until Griffin started throwing downfield.

FOLES CAN RUN: Foles had a career-best 47 yards rushing on nine carries. While he's certainly not even remotely close to Michael Vick as a runner, Foles moves around better than expected. Mobility is obviously a priority in a read-option offense.

''I'm having fun with running,'' Foles said. ''I'm starting to get a feel for it. It's helping us get first downs. Before long, they have to account for it.''

NOTES: LB Mychal Kendricks (knee), S Earl Wolff (knee), and CB Bradley Fletcher (pectoral) were Philadelphia's injured defensive starters. ... Redskins TE Jordan Reed (concussion), DE Stephen Bowen (knee) and WR Leonard Hankerson (knee) left the game.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org

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Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP-RobMaaddi

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