Rhodes Continues Run as Mr. October

The Philadelphia Eagles kept Coach Ray Rhodes’ perfect October record intact and gave a much-needed boost to their hopes of playing in January.

With Ricky Watters, Charlie Garner and Kevin Turner combining for 202 yards rushing against the league’s 29th-ranked run defense, the Eagles defeated the Washington Redskins, 24-10, on Sunday.

The victory, Philadelphia’s first in three NFC East games this season, improved the Eagles’ record to 2-3. The Eagles, 8-0 in October since Rhodes was named coach in 1995, have also won 10 of their last 12 games against Washington (3-2).

“The win isn’t as important as a loss would have been,” Turner said. “The win helps us get back in it. A loss would have been devastating.”

Watters had 104 yards and two touchdowns in 31 carries, Garner had 60 yards in 12 carries and Turner ran for 38 yards and added 43 yards receiving. The different running styles of the backs kept the Redskins off balance.

“It’s a great feeling when you’ve got them on their toes,” Garner said. “That’s where you want to keep them--guessing.”

Ty Detmer rebounded from a two-interception game in last week’s 28-19 loss at Minnesota, completing 17 of 27 for 246 yards and running for a touchdown.

“My confidence has never wavered,” Detmer said. “I know a lot has been said the last couple of weeks, but I think I’ve been playing pretty good.”

The Eagle defense sacked Gus Frerotte twice, intercepted him once and limited the Redskins to 30 yards rushing in 12 carries, all by Terry Allen.

“We need to get Terry his carries, and when he gets them, he can be effective,” Washington Coach Norv Turner said. “But today, we fell behind early and we couldn’t get him the ball.”