NFL-Eagles playoff hopes suffer with loss to Redskins

Dec 20 (Reuters) - The Philadelphia Eagles' playoff ambitions suffered a near-fatal blow with a surprise 27-24 loss to the Washington Redskins on Saturday. A 26-yard field goal from Kai Forbath with five seconds left on the clock condemned the Eagles to a third straight loss and leaves them needing the Dallas Cowboys to lose their last two games if they are to have a chance of winning the NFC East. The crucial moment came after Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez threw an interception with one minute 31 seconds remaining with Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland diving in front of Jeremy Maclin to make the pick. The Redskins scored on the resulting possession and although a poor kickoff handed the Eagles one last chance, Sanchez's 'Hail Mary' into the end zone was knocked down by David Amerson and Washington ended their six-game losing streak. The Eagles fall to 9-6 with Dallas leading the NFC East on 10-4. The result also meant that the Detroit Lions clinched their first playoff berth since 2011. (Reporting by Simon Evans, editing by Gene Cherry)