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Portis helps Redskins rally past Eagles

Oct 5, 2008 - 11:03 PM By Vince DiGregorio PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- After the Washington Redskins dug themselves an early hole, Clinton Portis helped them climb out of it.

Portis had 29 carries for 145 yards and one touchdown and the Redskins' defense held the Philadelphia Eagles to just five first downs in the last three quarters as Washington rallied for a 23-17 victory at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

Jason Campbell completed 16-of-29 passes for 176 yards to help Washington (4-1) score 23 consecutive points after trailing, 14-0, in the first quarter.

"We knew coming in as an offense that we were going to face a tremendous defense that applies a lot of pressure," Campbell said. "They were throwing everything at us early, but once we were able to catch up to what they were doing, I thought we settled down and start playing good football."

Tight end Chris Cooley finished with eight receptions for 109 yards and caught a TD pass from Antwaan Randle El as the Redskins won their fourth straight game.

"We're 4-1, but we haven't done anything yet," Campbell said. "We haven't been division champs in I don't know when. We haven't been deep into the playoffs in I don't know when. As a team, we have to press on."

Donovan McNabb went 17-of-29 for 196 yards for Philadelphia (2-3), which held a 9-1 margin in first downs after the first quarter but managed only three points the rest of the way.

The Redskins had 75 plays from scrimmage compared to just 47 for the Eagles. Washington outrushed Philadelphia by a 203-58 margin.

"We came here with the mind-set and the attitude that this is gonna be a dogfight," Portis said. "We kept plugging."

Philadelphia had entered the contest ranked first in the NFL in run defense, allowing an average of 53.8 yards per game.

"I think to a man defensively, that's going to sting a lot more," Eagles safety Brian Dawkins said. "Not because we're ranked number one (in rushing defense), but the fact that we allowed this team to come in and have a successful day running the ball on us, period."

Eagles coach Andy Reid dismissed any suggestion that his defense lacked intensity.

"I don't think it was a matter of intensity," Reid said. "I thought it was a matter of sustaining drives on offense so that we could keep our defense off the field and not force them to play as many snaps as they had to play."

Washington fell behind, 14-0, midway through the first quarter, but gradually got back into the contest in the second period by using over 12 minutes of ball control that led to three field goals by Shaun Suisham, cutting the deficit to 14-9 at halftime.

"We didn't get away from our game plan even though we were down 14-0 early in the game," Campbell said. "I thought that was the biggest key. We didn't get pass-happy."

Suisham connected from 41, 48 and 50 yards to start the comeback.

The Redskins took their first lead halfway through the third quarter when Randle El began to run a reverse before throwing to Cooley in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown that made it 16-14.

"We have been running a lot of double reverses and misdirection plays thus far this year," Cooley said. "I sold the run hard on the back side and my guy bit on the run. Randle El sold the play well and made a great pass to me."

Portis increased the margin to 23-14 when he ran it in from 4 yards out on the second play of the fourth quarter. Portis notched 102 of his rushing yards in the second half.

David Akers drew Philadelphia to within 23-17 with a 23-yard field goal with 7:18 left in the game, but the Redskins held the ball the rest of the way as Portis picked up three yards on 4th-and-1 to clinch the win.

"I think this is finally the time that we displayed the talent that we have," Portis said. "I don't think there's one selfish guy in this locker room. (Not) one 'me' guy who feels like he needs to outshine the other guy."

The Eagles appeared headed for a blowout win early in the first quarter.

Philadelphia took the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards in 12 plays that culminated in a 9-yard touchdown run by Brian Westbrook for a 7-0 lead.

After Washington went three-and-out on its first possession, DeSean Jackson returned the ensuing punt 68 yards for a TD that increased the Eagles' advantage to 14-0 midway through the period.

"As a team, we just had to keep working," Campbell said. "Don't get down on each other. Continue to keep pushing forward."

The Redskins' defense held Westbrook to just 33 yards rushing on 12 attempts.