LANDOVER, Md. (AP) – Philadelphia bottled up Robert Griffin III in his return from injury, and Michael Vick threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score to help the Eagles take a 26-7 halftime lead over the Washington Redskins on Monday night.
The Eagles’ new-look offense under first-year coach Chip Kelly produced 21 first downs and 322 yards in the opening 30 minutes.
Vick threw a 25-yard TD pass to DeSean Jackson and a 28-yard scoring strike to Brent Celek before running in from the 3 with 58 seconds left in the second quarter.
Griffin completed only 5 of 11 passes for 53 yards with an interception. Alfred Morris fumbled twice, losing one and falling on the other for a safety.
Washington’s lone touchdown came on a 75-yard fumble return by DeAngelo Hall. The Redskins’ first three possessions ended with a Morris fumble, an interception and another fumble by Morris.
Griffin returned to run the Washington offense only eight months after having two ligaments repaired in his right knee, a procedure that occurred only a few days after the Redskins’ playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
He had to wait to get onto the field, because Philadelphia’s first drive ended in Hall’s touchdown. The Eagles then held the ball for more than 2 1/2 minutes following the ensuing kickoff.
The game marked the debut of Kelly, who went 46-7 at Oregon before deciding to give his fast-paced offense a whirl in the NFL.
After the Eagles got the opening kickoff, Vick immediately went to work. Operating without a huddle, Vick started with four straight passes in taking Philadelphia to a first-and-goal at the Washington 4.
Vick then threw to his right, and the ball was deflected by Washington’s Ryan Kerrigan. Hall picked it up and took it the other way for a touchdown.
Following a lengthy replay review, officials ruled the pass was a lateral and confirmed the score.
Undaunted, Vick moved the Eagles 51 yards in five plays before his third down pass to tight end Zach Ertz was ruled incomplete. Kelly challenged the call, was denied, and Alex Henery followed with a 48-yard field goal.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
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