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Game Balls: Three Standout Players In The Redskins' Loss To The Eagles

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LANDOVER, Md. -- Though the Washington Redskins came up just short against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, there were some positives that came out of the 37-27 defeat. Here are three Redskins who stood out during the Week 15 divisional matchup:

Game Ball No. 1: Wide Receiver Terry McLaurin

The Philadelphia Eagles had already gotten a taste of what Terry McLaurin could do. In the pair's first meeting in Week 1 — McLaurin's first-ever regular season game — the rookie hauled in five receptions for 125 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown.

Fourteen weeks later, it was more of the same, as the 2019 third-round draft pick recorded five more catches for 130 yards and another long score, this time from 75 yards out.

"It's another day at the office," McLaurin told the media after the loss. "We connected a lot today, forcing turnovers, made some big plays."

McLaurin was already third in receiving yards (703) and receptions (46) among rookies entering Sunday. Those numbers look even better after his career performance versus the Eagles.

"[He's] everything you can ask for in a young wide receiver," interim head coach Bill Callahan said. "[I have] the utmost respect for his game."

Game Ball No. 2: Outside Linebacker Ryan Anderson

When Ryan Kerrigan went out with a concussion late in the fourth quarter of the Redskins' game against the Detroit Lions, defensive coordinator Greg Manusky turned to Ryan Anderson to fill in for his snaps. During that span, the 2017 second-round draft pick would make his presence felt, recording one tackle and a sack in two drives.

Then, with Kerrigan still sidelined a week later against Carolina, that trend continued. Anderson tied a season-high with six tackles despite being dismissed from the game late in the third quarter.

Kerrigan returned to game action a week later in Green Bay, but was forced to leave the game with a calf injury and was subsequently placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season.

That meant more playing time for Anderson the rest of the season, and he made the most of his opportunity Sunday.

Playing opposite rookie Montez Sweat, Anderson made five tackles (four solo) and recorded the Redskins' only two sacks on quarterback Carson Wentz. But even more impressive was that Anderson forced three fumbles, the last of which led to a Dustin Hopkins field goal that put the Redskins ahead, 27-24, with about five minutes to play.

"I'm going back to the drawing board," Anderson said after the game. "I've got to improve. It's some stuff I've got to change, and I'm not happy with it."

Despite his own discontent, Callahan recognized the impact Anderson made Sunday afternoon.

"Ryan stepped up."

Game Ball No. 3: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins

Though it came in a losing effort, Dwayne Haskins did his part in trying to help the Redskins earn a second straight home victory.

Starting for just the sixth time, the rookie quarterback had a career day, posting personal bests in passing yards (261), average yards per pass (9.3), and passer rating (121.3).

The former first-round pick also had the longest scoring throw of his career when Terry McLaurin took a deep in-route and was off for a 75-yard score.

"Dwayne did a great job of putting the ball in front of me, just wanting to make a guy miss," McLaurin noted after the game. "I think he's doing a really good job of controlling the offense, the tempo, making some plays if he has things [broken] down. ...I feel like he's shown some glimpse[s] that if he can get hot and get into the rhythm, his confidence continues to go up and he continues to make those big throws and those big plays."

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