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Six Eagles talking points

Talking points from Eagles-Redskins game: 1. From Wentz it came: The rookie quarterback was, again, inconsistent. He took 3 points off the board with an end-zone interception in the first quarter and failed to square his hips and shoulders on a deep ball to Trey Burton in the second quarter, but

Talking points from Eagles-Redskins game:

1. From Wentz it came: Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz was, again, inconsistent. He took 3 points off the board with an end-zone interception in the first quarter and failed to square his hips and shoulders on a deep ball to Trey Burton in the second quarter, but he showed sweet touch late in the second quarter on passes to Burton and Darren Sproles. Generally, though, Wentz missed high and behind receivers several times. He went 32-for-46 for 314 yards with an interception and the fumble that decided the 27-22 loss. He's a work in progress.

2. D-Jax attack: Former Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson, released in 2014 then signed by Washington, caught an 80-yard TD pass and a gorgeous, 21-yard tippy-toe sideline pass in the third quarter and drew a 24-yard interference penalty in the first quarter. His lazy out route allowed Leodis McKelvin a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown. He caught three passes for 102 yards and the TD.

3. Offensive lines: The $103 million defensive tackle, Fletcher Cox, recorded his first sack after eight games without one, which also was the team's first sack for a loss in three games; Cox added a half-sack later. The offensive line, already depleted, played without right guard Brandon Brooks, who missed a second game with a stomach illness, then had Matt Tobin replace third-string right tackle Allen Barbre, who left with a hamstring injury. All things considered, the line played pretty well.

4. Doug E. Fresh: Doug Pederson refused to challenge a Pierre Garcon catch in the first half, (Washington then picked up the third-and-1, and scored on the next play); lost a challenge in the third quarter on a DeSean Jackson catch, which actually looked questionable in real time; then threw a quick, successful challenge flag that ended a fourth-quarter drive by Washington. In the second quarter Pederson prepared to go for it on fourth-and-3 at Washington's 13, but he was saved from himself when Jason Peters committed a false start and forced a field goal. Pederson struck gold on his third-down call late in the second quarter (a pass in the flat to Trey Burton) and the subsequent TD toss in the corner of the end zone to little Darren Sproles. Pederson elected to try a 41-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter with third-string long snapper Trey Burton; holder Donnie Jones corralled the high snap, which delayed the hold, but kicker Caleb Sturgis hesitated and knocked it through for a 22-21 lead.

5. Knockout blow: Washington safety Deshazor Everett knocked Darren Sproles out of the game with a blatantly dirty forearm and helmet to Sproles' helmet as Sproles prepared to receive a punt in the fourth quarter, which precipitated a mini-melee. Everett was assessed a 15-yard penalty. The obvious intent to injure robbed the Eagles of a Pro Bowl returner and left them with one running back.

6. Redeemed: A week after coach Doug Pederson questioned his team's effort, especially that of contact-averse tight end Zach Ertz, Ertz played like a man possessed. His collected about 20 yards after the catch on his first three receptions, which approximately equaled his career total, and blocked ferociously (except for an illegal block on a kick return). He was the target on Carson Wentz's end-zone interception but that appeared to be superb defense. He finished with 10 catches for 112 yards.

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