Gameday Graphic for Game on 10/5/2008

In the blink of an eye, the Redskins fell behind the Philadelphia Eagles 14-0 on Sunday.

They responded by chipping away and chipping away at the Eagles' lead.

They responded by wearing down the Eagles' defense with a strong running game.

They even responded with some well-timed trickery.

In the end, the Redskins showed impressive resiliency in coming back to defeat the Eagles 23-17 at Lincoln Financial Field.

It was the Redskins' fourth consecutive win as they improved their record to 4-1 on the season. The Eagles dropped to 2-3.

With consecutive road wins over the Dallas Cowboys and Eagles, the Redskins have gotten past the tough part of their early season schedule.

In Sunday's win, Clinton Portis sparked the Redskins' ground game with 29 carries for 145 yards and one touchdown.

Overall, the Redskins churned out 204 rushing yards and 4.6 yards per carry in the game.

After a sluggish start, Jason Campbell was efficient leading the Redskins' offense. He completed 16-of-29 passes for 176 yards.

Chris Cooley was Campbell's top target, catching eight passes for a career-high 109 yards.

He also caught the Redskins' go-ahead score on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Antwaan Randle El running a wide receiver option.

The Redskins' defense was minus three starters--Jason Taylor, Shawn Springs and Marcus Washington--but maintained composure despite the early deficit.

The defense yielded a touchdown on Philadelphia's opening possession, but limited the Eagles to a punt return for a touchdown and a field goal the rest of the way.

Running back Brian Westbrook scored on a 9-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, but he was a non-factor the rest of the game. He finished with 12 carries for 33 yards.

Overall, the Redskins' defense allowed just 58 rushing yards on 18 carries, a 3.2 yards-per-carry average.

London Fletcher shadowed Westbrook in the second half, tackling him twice on one series to stymie an Eagles comeback effort.

Andre Carter also had a solid game on defense, recording a team-high six tackles and deflecting a Donovan McNabb pass.

On Philadelphia's opening possession, the Eagles used a pair of wide receiver reverses to move the ball into scoring range on their opening possession.

Westbrook capped the drive by bursting up the middle, breaking several tackles and spinning into the end zone for his 9-yard touchdown run.

After a 3-and-out by the Redskins' offense, speedy rookie DeSean Jackson struck.

Fielding a Durant Brooks 37-yard punt, Jackson crossed field and raced past tacklers for a 68-yard return for a touchdown.

It appeared Khary Campbell was blocked in the back on the return, and a penalty flag was thrown. But referees decided that Campbell was not touched by the Eagles player, and Jackson's touchdown stood.

Down 14-0, the Redskins needed to establish some momentum. Patience was the key.

Campbell absorbed some hard hits early on, but he continued to hang in and make plays, particularly in the second quarter.

He connected on an 18-yard pass to Cooley to set up the Redskins' first score, a 41-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham.

Then Portis started to pound out yards on the Redskins' next drive, which started at their own 1-yard line.

Campbell completed clutch third-down passes to Devin Thomas and Clinton Portis to set up another Suisham field goal, this one from 48 yards.

Later in the second quarter, Campbell threw a 17-yard pass across the middle to Cooley to put the Redskins in field goal range again with seven seconds left.

Suisham closed out the half with a 50-yard field goal to narrow the Eagles' lead to 14-9.

The Redskins knew they would need a second-half touchdown to steal the lead from Philadelphia.

Midway through the third quarter, the Redskins started to move the ball with Campbell completing a 16-yard pass to Randle El on a crossing pattern.

Then Portis broke free for a 21-yard run, following blocks by Chris Samuels and Mike Sellers.

To cross the goal line, the Redskins resorted to trickery.

At the Eagles' 18-yard line, Randle El took a handoff from Campbell on a reverse and drifted toward the right sideline.

He waited for a receiver to get open downfield.

Randle El found Cooley open at the 5-yard line. Cooley grabbed the pass and barreled into the end zone for the 18-yard touchdown catch.

Finally, the Redskins had the lead at 16-14.

The Redskins' offensive line had started to wear down the Eagles defense. They kept the pressure on in the fourth quarter.

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Randle El returned a punt 28 yards to give the offense the ball across midfield.

Then, on a 3rd-and-1 play, Portis broke through the left side of the line for a 27-yard run to the Eagles' 7-yard line.

Two plays later, on 3rd-and-goal at the 4-yard line, Campbell faked a throw and instead handed off to Portis on a draw play.

Portis darted through a gaping hole to the left and raced untouched into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown run.

It was desperation time for the Eagles' offense.

McNabb threw a sideline pass to wide receiver Reggie Brown, who made a diving catch and then--untouched by Carlos Rogers and Chris Horton--got up and raced downfield for a 40-yard pickup.

The Eagles made it to the 2-yard line, but the Redskins' defense stepped up.

On third down, McNabb handed off to Westbrook who was quickly surrounded by Redskins defenders and pushed back for a 3-yard loss. Carter was credited with the clutch tackle.

It was up to kicker David Akers, who connected on a 23-yard field goal to narrow the Redskins' lead to 23-17.

The Redskins took over possession at their own 20-yard line with 7:12 left.

Time to run out the clock.

Campbell converted two clutch third downs, both times using his legs.

First, on 3rd-and-4, Campbell eluded pressure to throw an 11-yard pass to Randle El.

Then Campbell, on 3rd-and-9, burst up the middle for a 17-yard gain.

Three plays later, it was 4th-and-2 for the Redskins with 2:48 left.

Head coach Jim Zorn has proven to be bold in these situations, and he gave his offense the chance to convert at the Eagles' 38-yard line.

Campbell handed off to Portis up the middle. Strong push by the linemen up front, particularly Randy Thomas, and Portis picked up three yards for a first down.

Portis leaped up and raised his arms in celebration.

The play sealed the win for the Redskins, and Lincoln Financial Field started to empty.

PRE-GAME COVERAGE

The Redskins stay in the NFC East with a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET.

Lincoln Financial Field has a natural grass surface. The seating capacity is 68,532.

The Redskins are in second place in the NFC East at the quarter-point of the regular season. They are 1-1 in NFC East play this year. They defeated the Dallas Cowboys 26-24 last Sunday and lost to the New York Giants 16-7 in Week 1.

The Redskins have rebounded from the opening loss to the Giants to post three consecutive wins. It's currently tied for the longest winning streak in the NFC with Tampa Bay and the Giants.

The game will be televised to a national audience on FOX. Joe Buck does the play-by-play with color commentary by Troy Aikman. Pam Oliver is the sideline reporter.

On radio, the game will be broadcast locally on ESPN 980. Larry Michael handles the play-by-play with color commentary by Hall of Famers Sonny Jurgensen and Sam Huff. Rick "Doc" Walker serves as sideline reporter.

Sports USA Radio Network broadcasts the game nationally. Larry Kahn does the play-by-play with color commentary by Tim Pernetti and sideline reports by Tony Graziani.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS

SERIES HISTORY

The Redskins and Eagles have met a total of 147 times over their long rivalry, which dates back to 1934. They have played a home-and-home series every year since 1936.

The Redskins hold the series edge at 76-66-6, but since 2000, the Eagles have won 11 of 16 games.

The two teams split both games a year ago.

In Week 2, the Redskins defeated the Eagles 20-12 at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday Night Football.

Jason Campbell completed 16-of-29 passes for 209 yards, and his 16-yard touchdown pass to Chris Cooley late in the first half was a key play in the game.

The Redskins fended off a late comeback by the Eagles, as LaRon Landry broke up a pass to wide receiver Kevin Curtis on fourth down near the goal line.

Philadelphia returned the favor in Week 10. The Eagles staged a furious fourth-quarter rally to win 33-25 at FedExField.

Donovan McNabb threw a screen pass to Brian Westbrook, who followed key blocks downfield and raced 57 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.

The Redskins and Eagles have clashed once in the postseason, with Washington winning 20-6 on Jan. 4, 1990 at Veterans Stadium in the Wild Card playoff round.

TALE OF THE TAPE

FAMILIAR FACES ON THE EAGLES

Kicker David Akers played for the Redskins in 1998. His first NFL game was with the Redskins, on Sept. 20, 1998 vs. Seattle.

Defensive end Chris Clemons played for the Redskins from 2003-05. He joined the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2005.

Pro scout Louis Riddick served as director of pro personnel and pro scout with the Redskins from 2001-07.

REDSKINS-EAGLES NEWS & NOTES

-- Zorn's First Season As Head Coach

Jim Zorn is 3-1 in his first three games as head coach. He is aiming to lead the Redskins to their third winning season in the last four years.

Zorn is looking to become the seventh Redskins head coach to record a winning record in his first year at the helm.

The list of first-year head coaches with winning records includes Ray Flaherty (7-5 in 1936), Dutch Bergman (6-3-1 in 1943), Dudley DeGroot (6-3-1 in 1944), Dick Todd (5-4 in 1951), Vince Lombardi (7-5-2 in 1969) and George Allen (9-4-1 in 1971).

Seven first-year head coaches finished their rookie campaign with a .500 mark, while 12 finished with a losing record.

Like Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, Jim Zorn made the jump from quarterbacks coach to head coach.

Reid was named head coach of the Eagles in 1999 after he was quarterbacks coach of the Green Bay Packers.

Zorn was named head coach of the Redskins last February after he was quarterbacks coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

-- Winning the Turnover Battle

The Redskins are tied for the NFL lead with a 6 turnover ratio. They have intercepted five passes and recovered two opponent fumbles, while the Redskins' lone turnover was a fumble on a punt return.

Washington is the only NFL team without an offensive turnover and Jason Campbell is the only starting quarterback to have not thrown an interception.

As a team, the Redskins have gone 253 pass attempts with an interception in the regular season, dating back to last season.

Campbell is currently on a streak of 146 consecutive attempts without an interception, which is the second-best mark in franchise history.

-- Defending the Best

In playing the Giants, Saints, Cardinals and Cowboys in the first four weeks, the Redskins have faced the NFL's fourth-, third-, fifth- and second-ranked offenses, respectively.

The Redskins have held each of those teams to their lowest scoring and yardage output of the season.

Last week against Dallas, the Redskins' defense forced the Cowboys into four 3-and-out possessions, which was just one less than their total in their previous three games combined.

This week, the Eagles' offense is ranked sixth overall.

-- Smith's Specials

Washington's kickoff units, led by special teams coach Danny Smith, have been one of the league's top groups in 2008.

The Redskins have the fourth-best average starting field position in the NFL, at the 29.6-yard line.

The kickoff unit has allowed opponents an average starting field position of the 22.3-yard line, fifth-best in the league.

Last week, the group held Dallas, which featured dynamic returner Felix Jones, to a 14.5-yard average on six returns. The Cowboys entered the game with a league-best 35.1 yards per kickoff return.

Smith coached special teams in Philadelphia from 1995-96, then switched to defensive backs coach for the Eagles from 1997-98.

Smith coached in Philadelphia under Ray Rhodes, who was the Redskins' defensive coordinator in 2000.

-- Go West, Jason Campbell

Jason Campbell has been one of the NFL's best quarterbacks in 2008, his first season in the West Coast offense at the pro level.

In the last three games, he has posted QB ratings of 108.4, 112.2 and 104.1, the first time a Redskins quarterback has had three straight games with a passer rating higher than 100.0 since Mark Rypien did it in games 13-15 in 1991.

Campbell's cumulative QB rating of 102.2 is the fourth-highest in the NFL and second-highest in the NFC.

Campbell has directed an offense that has not committed a turnover this season. He is the only quarterback in the league that has not thrown an interception through four games.

-- Moss, Portis Among League Leaders

Santana Moss's 27 catches are tied for third in the NFL and tied for first among NFC wide receivers. He is also second in receiving yards with 421 (trailing Green Bay's Greg Jennings, 482).

In addition to his receiver yards, Moss has a 27-yard rush, giving him 448 total yards from scrimmage, a figure which ranks sixth in the NFL.

Clinton Portis is tied for fourth in the NFL and tied for second in the NFC with 369 rushing yards. His 86 carries are the third-most in the league.

Portis has accounted for 22 first downs this season, which is tied for third in the NFL. His eight first downs in the fourth quarter of games this season is tops in the league.

-- McNabb vs. the Redskins

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has an all-time record of 10-5 in games against the Redskins.

McNabb has completed 59 percent of his passes vs. Washington, for 3,107 yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His QB rating: 86.4.

McNabb has compiled 535 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Redskins. In the last five games in the series, McNabb has rushed for 84 yards on 18 carries.

-- Westbrook Brothers

Redskins defensive back Byron Westbrook, on the club's practice squad, is the brother of Eagles running back Brian Westbrook.

They both hail from Washington, D.C., and attended DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Md.

Byron, 5-10 and 202 pounds, earned a practice squad spot on the Redskins following preseason.

Westbrook was asked last year if there was any downside to being Brian's brother.

"The only negative thing is that people expect me to fill his shoes," Westbrook said. "But I'm not a running back, I'm a cornerback. I play on a defense. I'm trying to hit him."

He added with a smile: "And if I'm on the Redskins, I'd have the chance to get back at him two times a year for the 22 years he's been punishing me since I was a baby."

-- Thrash an Eagle and a Redskin

Redskins wide receiver James Thrash has alternated between Philadelphia and Washington in his NFL career.

Thrash signed with the Eagles as an undrafted rookie free agent in 1997. He was then picked up by the Redskins following the 1997 preseason.

Thrash signed with the Eagles in 2001 as an unrestricted free agent. He led the Eagles' receiving corps with 49 receptions in 2003.

In 2004, Thrash was traded to the Redskins for a fifth-round draft pick.

Thrash had his best game against the Eagles in Week 10 last year. He caught five passes for 85 yards, including 4-yard and 12-yard touchdown catches in the first half.

-- Hunt a Local Product

Philadelphia Eagles rookie running back Tony Hunt attended T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va.

He rushed for more than 2,000 yards in high school, before going on to play his college ball at Penn State.

The Eagles drafted Hunt, regarded as a big, bruising back, in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

-- Redskins Captains

The Redskins have elected six players as captains for the 2008 season. They wear a black "C" on their jersey during games.

On offense, Jason Campbell amd Chris Samuels are the captains.

On defense, Cornelius Griffin and London Fletcher are the captains.

On special teams, Rock Cartwright and Khary Campbell are the captains.

-- What's Next?

The Redskins return to FedExField to host the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, Oct. 12. Kickoff is 1 p.m. ET.

It will be the first game for new Rams head coach Jim Haslett, who succeeded Scott Linehan on Monday.

Former Redskins assistant head coach-offense Al Saunders is on the Rams' coaching staff.