Jackson shines in Philly return, Eagles beat Washington 32-27
DeSean Jackson reacts after catching a touchdown against Washington in the second quarter. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off their season with a 32-27 win at home against Washington Sunday.
Carson Wentz threw a pair of deep touchdown passes to DeSean Jackson, and the Philadelphia Eagles overcame a 17-point deficit to beat the Washington Redskins 32-27 on Sunday.
Wentz was 28 of 39 for 313 yards and three TDs in his first game since Week 14 after not taking a snap in the preseason. Jackson had eight catches for 154 yards. The Eagles (1-0) racked up 436 total yards.
Case Keenum threw for 380 yards and three TDs, helping the Redskins (0-1) build a 17-0 lead in his first start with his fourth team in four seasons.
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But Philadelphia's high-powered offense took over and the defense settled down after a sloppy start.
Playing his first game back in Philadelphia since former Eagles coach Chip Kelly cut him following his third Pro Bowl season in 2013, Jackson picked up where he left off six years ago and showed no signs of slowing down at age 32.
Jackson blew past the defense on a third-and-10 in the third quarter, caught Wentz's pass inside the 10 and strolled into the end zone to give the Eagles a 21-20 lead. The 53-yard TD reception was Jackson's second of 50-plus yards in the game and the 31st of his career. Only Hall of Famer Jerry Rice had more at 36.
Zach Ertz caught a 26-yard pass to set up Alshon Jeffery's first career rushing score on the first play of the fourth quarter. Jeffery caught a backward pass from Wentz and fought his way into the end zone. Darren Sproles ran in for the 2-point conversion to extend the lead to 29-20.
The Eagles trailed 17-0 in the second quarter when Jackson made an over-the-shoulder, 51-yard TD catch.
Wentz found Jeffery going across the back of the end zone for a 5-yard TD pass to cut Washington's lead to 20-14 in the third quarter.
Keenum hit Terry McLaurin perfectly in stride on a deep pass for a 70-yard TD to give the Redskins a 17-0 lead, inciting the first boos from fans anticipating a championship season.
The Redskins got the ball to start and scored a touchdown on the season's opening drive for the first time since 2004. Vernon Davis turned a short pass from Keenum into a 48-yard score after hurdling Ronald Darby and breaking a tackle on his way down the right sideline.
MIA
Seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams remains a holdout for the Redskins. Donald Penn started in his place.
BENCHED
Four-time All-Pro and 2012 NFL MVP Adrian Peterson was inactive for the Redskins after leading the team with 1,042 yards rushing last season.
INJURIES
Redskins: TE Jordan Reed (concussion) was inactive. ... DL Jonathan Allen (left knee) left in the first quarter. ... DL Caleb Brantley (right ankle) left in the fourth quarter.
Eagles: LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (knee) and CB Jalen Mills (foot) were the only starters still out of the lineup. ... DT Malik Jackson limped off the field late in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
The Eagles face the Falcons in Atlanta next Sunday at 8:20 p.m.
The Falcons are seeking to avenge losses in Philly in an NFC divisional playoff game following the 2017 season and the NFL opener last year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.