:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/23402993/20131117_hcs_sy4_037.0.jpg)
No longer will Eagles fans have to remember the date of September 30, 2012. Entering today's match, that was the last time the Philadelphia Eagles won at home. Since then, there were 10 straight home losses. That streak ended today when the Eagles beat their division rival Washington Redskins, 24-16.
Philadelphia's performance wasn't as flawless as it could have been. The Eagles jumped out to a 24-0 lead before letting the Skins seemingly creep back into the game. Chip Kelly's offense struggled to stay on the field in the second half. Washington took advantage and looked like they were going to tie things up late in the game. That was, until Robert Griffin III lobbed a pass into the endzone that was picked off by cornerback Brandon Boykin.
The Eagles' victory was highlighted by another strong outing from young quarterback Nick Foles. Foles threw for 298 yards on 16/27 passing (65%) and sported a 104.3 passer rating. He also contributed on the ground with 47 yards and 1 TD (numbers which outperformed RG3!). The second year player is making a case for himself as the team's next franchise quarterback. For now, Foles is just content with today's victory.
Oh man, it feels great [to win at home]. To be honest, it feels great. The fans have been wanting this for a long time. We have been wanting this for a long time. Their support with the stadium being packed today and you know it came down to the wire like that and it was a fun game. We gave everything that we had and it was a hard fought team win and something we can continue to build on and it is just really exciting to get that team win here.
Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, who left today's game with an injury but returned, rushed for 77 yards and 2 touchdown. He also passed the 1,000 yard mark for the season, which is the third time he's accomplished that feat in his career. McCoy is encouraged by how the team is playing in recent weeks.
Just the way we are all playing together. Offense, special teams, defense, we are all playing as one. I think sometimes earlier in the year it was more where the offense was playing good and the defense wasn't or the defense was playing good and the offense wasn't. We are clicking, we are getting the turnovers and we are answering. We are not turning the ball over for the defense and not putting them in a jam. It's the small things that make the team.
Finally, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly also lauded the fans for their support in the Eagles' win at home.
Anytime you win, it's awesome. I thought our crowd was fantastic today. They probably deserved it as much as anybody. They were into it the entire game. It was an awesome feeling. There was a lot of energy in that stadium and we needed every ounce of it. So it was awesome.
The Eagles are now 6-5 and in first place in the NFC East. Dallas is 5-5 and they are on the bye this week. They will face the Giants when they return to action in Week 12. Philadelphia's bye week is this upcoming week, so they will have a chance to rest before returning to action against the Cardinals in Week 13.
This team is hot. They're on a 3 game winning streak heading into the bye and they have a young quarterback playing well. There are still some issues to iron out, but the Eagles are alive and kicking the race for the NFC East crown. Time will tell if they can sustain their recent success.
For now, Philadelphia has a winning football team that's playing meaningful football late in the season again. That's something to be happy about.