Redskins Get Past the Eagles

Jay Schroeder hit Gary Clark with a five-yard touchdown pass that provided the winning points, but it was George Rogers who deserved most of the credit for the Washington Redskins’ 17-12 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday.

Rogers rushed for 150 yards in a team-record 36 carries and scored on a 28-yard run to draw the Redskins to within 12-10 with 1:12 left in the third quarter.

Rogers carried seven times for 34 yards as the Redskins drove 51 yards for the winning touchdown. Clark was able to get inside cornerback Herman Edwards on a slant pattern in the end zone and catch the pass from Schroeder with 8:52 left to play.

Two possessions later, Philadelphia went from its 33 to the Washington five, where the Eagles had a first-and-goal. On first down, Ron Jaworski, who was 17 of 38 for 185 yards, missed tight end John Spagnola in the end zone and the ball was tipped and almost intercepted by Washington linebacker Mel Kaufman.

On second down, Jaworski threw to Michael Haddix on a swing pass, but Redskin cornerback Darrell Green stopped Haddix at the two and prevented a touchdown.

On third down, Herman Hunter was hit for a one-yard loss by linebacker Rich Milot and Milot then batted down Jaworski’s pass, which was intended for Mike Quick, on fourth down with three minutes left.

Philadelphia had one last chance to win the game when it took over on its own 46 with 45 seconds to go, but Jaworski’s pass was intercepted by free safety Curtis Jordan.

The Redskins (8-6) kept alive their mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs for the fourth straight year. They are two games behind Dallas and the New York Giants in the NFC East with two games to play.

Philadelphia (6-8) got a one-yard touchdown run from Earnest Jackson, a 44-yard field goal from Paul McFadden and was awarded a safety when Schroeder was called for intentional grounding in his own end zone. The Redskins held the Eagles to 26 yards rushing.

Washington’s other points came on a 32-yard field goal by Mark Moseley.

Rogers, who celebrated his 27th birthday Sunday, said he began to feel tired in the fourth quarter.

“I thought I might want to come out,” he said. “But the guys said, ‘Hang in there,’ so I stayed.”

Schroeder, who completed 16 of 29 passes for 175 yards, said after the game that he cracked at least one rib with 4:39 to go in the first period but continued to play.