Redskins beat Eagles, clinch NFC East title

PHILADELPHIA – Wearing his "NFC East Champions" hat, Kirk Cousins made sure he got the last word.

Cousins finished his news conference, turned on his way out and screamed: "How many of y'all picked us to win the division?" It sounded like his "You like that?" rant two months ago.

The Washington Redskins are division champions, thanks to Cousins and his right arm.

He threw four touchdown passes and had a season-high 365 yards as the Redskins beat Philadelphia 38-24 on Saturday night to win their first division title in three years, completing a worst-to-first season.

"This is the most satisfied I've been as a player," Cousins said. "It's a big accomplishment. Now we need to build from here."

Only 4-12 in 2014, the Redskins (8-7) began their turnaround when Cousins rallied them from a 24-0 first-half deficit to a 31-30 victory over Tampa Bay on Oct. 25. After that game, he yelled at reporters: "You like that?" It's become a rallying cry for the Redskins and their fans, who continued the chant for several minutes after the game.

"We felt like we were an up-and-coming football team and could compete with anyone," coach Jay Gruden said.

DeAngelo Hall returned DeMarco Murray's fumble 17 yards for a momentum-changing TD in the third quarter. Cousins threw TD passes to Chris Thompson and Pierre Garcon and a pair to Jordan Reed.

The Eagles (6-9) entered the game in control of their playoff hopes. They needed to beat the Redskins and Giants next week to win the East. Washington's win also eliminated New York (6-8).

"I think we're good enough," Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. "We just have to put them in better position to make plays. It's 100 percent on my shoulders. It's unacceptable."

While the Redskins head to the playoffs, the Eagles and Kelly face a challenging offseason. Kelly took control of personnel decisions last year and overhauled a team that went 10-6 in each of his first two seasons.

It clearly didn't work out.

It paid off.

Cousins was outstanding down the stretch with 16 TD passes and only two interceptions in the past seven games. He showed resolve after a mental blunder at the end of the first half cost the Redskins at least three points.

Cousins took a knee with no timeouts and 6 seconds left from the Eagles 6 with a 16-10 lead. He realized his mistake and tried to spike the ball, but it was too late and the clock ran out. He made up for it in the second half.