PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles enjoyed a rare fourth-quarter comeback so much they did it again.
David Akers kicked a 32-yard field goal with 1:48 remaining and the Eagles rallied for a 27-24 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
A week ago, Donovan McNabb led the Eagles (7-4) to a late touchdown in a 24-20 win at Chicago. It was the first time Philadelphia came from behind in the final quarter and won since a 33-25 victory at Washington on Nov. 11, 2007.
Make it two straight comeback victories now.
Akers made all four of his field goals, extending his streak to 16. Asante Samuel had two interceptions and McNabb threw for 260 yards and one TD.
Jason Campbell had 231 yards passing and two TDs for Washington, which fell short at the end for the second straight week. The injury-depleted Redskins (3-8) lost 7-6 at Dallas last weekend.
Trying to set an early tone and perhaps underestimating Washington, the Eagles opened with an onside kick that backfired. Then, already playing without star running back Brian Westbrook, the Eagles lost big-play receiver DeSean Jackson in the second half to head and neck injuries.
Four straight possessions lasted just three plays and the Eagles trailed 24-16 when they got the ball at their 10. But McNabb drove the offense 90 yards for a TD and a 2-point conversion. McNabb connected for 46 and 20 yards to Jason Avant, Leonard Weaver’s 12-yard run took Philly to the 1 and set up Eldra Buckley’s first career TD run. McNabb shoveled to LeSean McCoy, who broke several tackles to get the conversion.
After forcing a punt, the Eagles moved 66 yards to set up the winning kick. McNabb hit rookie Jeremy Maclin for a 35-yard gain on the drive.
The Redskins played without defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (ankle), running back Clinton Portis (concussion), tight end Chris Cooley (ankle), and cornerback DeAngelo Hall (sprained MCL).
But they still pushed the Eagles to the end.
The Redskins went ahead 21-16 on their first possession in the second half, driving 80 yards on nine plays, converting three times on third-and-long. Campell hit Fred Davis for 29 yards on third-and-10, and completed a 35-yard pass to Devin Thomas on third-and-7 before connecting with Davis on a 10-yard TD pass on another third-and-7.
Justin Tryon’s interception set up Shaun Suisham’s 25-yard field goal that made it 24-16.
In the first quarter, McNabb threw a 35-yard TD pass to Jackson to put the Eagles ahead 10-7. McNabb scrambled out of the pocket and found a wide-open Jackson in the corner of the end zone for the shortest of Jackson’s eight TDs this season. He has six TDs of 50-plus yards, including one punt return and one rush.
But the Redskins drove 80 yards for the go-ahead score on the ensuing possession. Campbell’s 2-yard TD pass to Santana Moss made it 14-10. They also converted three times on third down during that drive.
The Eagles wasted another opportunity in the red zone after Samuel picked off Campbell’s pass at the Redskins 21. They had a first down at the 10, but settled for a 24-yard field goal that cut it to 14-13.
Samuel intercepted Campbell again in the final minute of the first half and returned it 17 yards to the Redskins 28. Akers nailed a 41-yarder for a 16-14 lead.
The Redskins needed just four plays to find the zone after Quinton Ganther returned the opening onside kick 25 yards to the Eagles 24. Campbell scored on a 1-yard run.
Akers kicked a 29-yarder to cut it to 7-3 just after Michael Vick nearly scored his first TD since 2006, running 4 yards to the 1.