Detroit Lions claim playoff berth with Philadelphia Eagles' loss

A 26-yard field goal from Kai Forbath with five seconds left on the clock condemned the Eagles to a third successive 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.

If the Cowboys beat the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday the Eagles would be eliminated from playoff contention.

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' pass into the end zone was knocked down by David Amerson and Washington ended their six-game losing streak.

The Eagles fell to 9-6. Dallas lead the NFC East on 10-4.

The result also meant the Detroit Lions clinched their first playoff berth since 2011.

It was a cruel end to an otherwise impressive display from former New York Jet Sanchez.

The quarterback completed 37 of 50 passes, throwing for a career high 374 yards and two touchdowns but as well as the interception he also gave up a fumble that resulted in a field goal early in the first quarter.

The Eagles led 14-10 at halftime after an 11-yard touchdown run from LeSean McCoy and a three yard pass from Sanchez to Riley Cooper.

Redskins running back Alfred Morris had completed a first quarter 28-yard touchdown run but Washington then dominated the third quarter scoring twice on one yard rushes from Darrel Young to take a 24-14 lead.

Sanchez found Cooper again, with the receiver producing a brilliant high catch at full stretch, in the fourth quarter before a field goal from Cody Parkey, who had missed two attempts earlier, levelled the game at 24-24 before the Breeland interception.