Eagles Stun Redskins, 19-6, for First Win

Led by rookie quarterback Randall Cunningham, the Philadelphia Eagles stunned the Washington Redskins, 19-6, Sunday before 53,748 fans at RFK Stadium.

Cunningham’s 17-yard scrambling touchdown pass to Earnest Jackson in the fourth quarter and four field goals by Paul McFadden lifted the Eagles to their first victory of the season.

“That was a hell of a win for us,” Eagle Coach Marion Campbell said. “To beat a team like that on the road is quite a feat.”

The loss dropped the Redskins to 1-2 and raised serious doubts about a fourth straight division title.

“Maybe it’s time to sit down with a crystal ball and find out what’s going on with us,” said Redskin quarterback Joe Theismann, who finished with 15 completions in 34 attempts for 124 yards. “Maybe we’re not as good as everybody says we are.”

“We’re just in a slump,” said Redskin safety Curtis Jordan. “Golfers have them, baseball players have them. We’ve always made other teams have to beat us, now we’re beating ourselves.”

“Right now, we’re out of sync,” Washington Coach Joe Gibbs said. “We’ve dug ourselves a hole.”

If the Redskins were falling into a hole, Cunningham may be the player to lead the Eagles out of theirs.

Cunningham, scrambling from a heavy rush, hit Jackson at the Redskin 13-yard line. Jackson, acquired just before the season from the San Diego Chargers, sprinted into the end zone with 8:38 left, breaking a Philadelphia string of 12 quarters without a touchdown.

The drive, giving the Eagles a 16-6 lead, was sparked by Wes Hopkins’ 42-yard return of a fumble by George Rogers caused by linebacker Garry Cobb. Theismann saved the touchdown with a tackle at the Redskin 25.

McFadden added a 34-yard field goal with 3:20 left. The bare-footed kicker also converted field goals of 41, 36 and 37 yards. His two field goals last week against the L.A. Rams had been the only points the Eagles had scored all season.

“My confidence is up,” said Cunningham, who completed 8 of 15 passes for 187 yards and rushed for 60 yards. “A quarterback can’t afford not to be confident.”

Said Jackson, who ran for 80 yards in 16 carries: “We’re a good team. We’ve got talent--you can see that. We played a good game, which they weren’t expecting, and that made them do some things differently.”

The loss ended an eight-game home winning streak for the Redskins and marked the first time Washington has failed to score in double figures in 58 regular-season games.

The Redskins, limited to two Mark Moseley field goals, have failed to score a touchdown in seven straight quarters.

The last time the Redskins were held without a touchdown was in 1982 in a 12-7 victory over St. Louis.

The crowd repeatedly booed the Washington offensive unit after failed drives.