Redskins Clinch NFC East and Defeat Eagles, 38-24

With their win over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Redskins are guaranteed at least a .500 season, the divisional title, and a playoff berth for the first time in three long, painful seasons.

It has to be mentioned: Kirk Cousins had one unbelievable lapse in focus at the end of the second quarter when, after an Eagles timeout and with the ball inside the 10 yard line, he took a knee instead of running a play or spiking the ball.  The clock, which had six seconds left when the play started, ran out, and the efforts of DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Jordan Reed on the previous three plays was wiped out when the Redskins went into the half without adding any points.  I think Cousins deserves credit, however, for demonstrating maturity and growth in his ability to put a major mistake behind him and play an otherwise solid effort in a pass-heavy game.

Alfred Morris earned the brunt of the team's 23 rushing attempts after Matt Jones was scratched due to a hip injury, but Pierre Thomas offered a nice counter punch on the ground and as an outlet through the air. Jordan Reed dominated the defense, continuing to give credence to calls that he was snubbed for the upcoming Pro Bowl, and Garcon led the receivers in both targets and yards.

Several defensive players had flashes tonight, but veteran DeAngelo Hall made one of the biggest defensive moves when he recovered one of two Eagles' fumbles of the night, returning it for a touchdown late in the third quarter.  The play, according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post, leaves Hall tied for second in NFL history with fumbles returned for a touchdown (5).  The team had five sacks, with Will Compton earning his first career sack and up-and-coming lineback Preston Smith getting to Bradford three times.  One of Smith's sacks came on an impressive back-to-back set of plays in which Mason Foster blew up the Eagles' play in the backfield.  The other standout player on defense tonight is safety Dashon Goldson, who led the team in tackles and had the second fumble recovery.

Finally, while special teams did not play a particularly big role in tonight's win, it's worth noting that Dustin Hopkins fell tonight from the ranks of kickers who had not missed an extra point.  His miss, which came in the first quarter, was neutralized by Jamison Crowder's two point conversion reception in the fourth quarter, but it's an error that, in a closer game, could have proved costly.

By the numbers: Cousins (31/46, 365 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 sacks), Morris (17 carries, 49 yards), Reed (9 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TDs), Garcon (7 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD), Thompson (1 reception, 12 yards, 1 TD), Goldson (10 tackles), Hopkins (1/1 FG, 3/4 XP)