After having already sprinted to the end zone for a 28-yard score in the first quarter -- and with almost 30 touchdowns spanning the last three seasons -- Redskins running back Alfred Morris had the Philadelphia Eagles' attention when Washington faced a 1st and Goal from the 1-yard line in the third quarter of Saturday's game at FedExField.
That left fullback Darrel Young completely unaccounted for when the Redskins lined up in I-formation and handed him the ball -- utilizing a fake handoff to Morris to the right -- for Young's first score since a four-yard receiving touchdown Week 3 against the same Eagles defense.
Then, on the very next drive Saturday, Young once again found the end zone from a yard out.
After the game, Young said the victory, which snapped a six-game losing streak and dashed the Eagles' playoff hopes, was important for the team's overall mindset moving forward.
"There were a lot of questions surrounding this team about character," he told the media after the game. "But it's the sense that we beat a good football team that was playing for a lot. I think before the game, [DeSean Jackson] D-Jax gave us a speech that they're kind of laughing. They knew they won the game before."
While Young said "you don't need extra motivation to play," the Eagles' attitude did provided the Redskins with bulletin board material on Saturday.
"At the end of the day, they're a good football team but we showed up and did some things we were capable of doing," he said. "It just goes to show any given Saturday or Sunday, Monday or Thursday, you can win or lose."
Young's two-touchdown effort was his first multi-touchdown game of the season and the second of his career.
Now with a career-high five total touchdowns on the season, Young also became only the third NFL player since the 1970 merger to finish a game with two touchdowns on two carries with only two rushing yards, joining Cleveland's Brian Sipe (Nov. 3, 1974) and Philadelphia's Norm Snead (Nov. 23, 1970).
But his value to the Redskins offense doesn't stop when his own number is called.
Young has established his place as one of the NFL's best lead blockers, and has helped paved the way for Morris to become only the second player in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards in three-straight seasons, joining Stephen Davis, who accomplished the feat from the 1999 to 2001 seasons.
While Morris should certainly get his dues for the success, head coach Jay Gruden made sure to credit the offensive line and Young after Saturday's game.
"Alfred is 'Steady Eddie' with us. No. 1, he needs to continue with the ball protection and he did that today, of course," Gruden said. "He went over 1,000 yards today. [I] credit him and the offensive line and the tight ends and the fullback DY. ... I'm really happy for Alfred and there should be more stories like that. Outside of the football field and on, he is such a great guy – quality act."
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