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Eagles-Redskins scouting report
Eagles: Eagles have been giving teams a short field to work with. P Sav Rocca is 21st in the league in net average (36.6), and the Eagles are 23rd in opponents' average drive start after kickoffs (28.0). Correll Buckhalter is a lowly 33rd in the league in kickoff returns (20.7).
Redskins: The Redskins have two of the best coverage units in the league. They are first in punt coverage (4.4) and seventh in kickoff coverage (22.1). Kick returner Rock Cartwright is a low-to-the-ground load who is averaging 28.7 yards per return.
PICK: REDSKINS
Hot and Not
HOT:
Eagles: RB Brian Westbrook. Leads all NFL running backs in receptions with 49 and is averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
Redskins: RB Clinton Portis. Rushed for 196 yards and a touchdown last week vs. Jets.
NOT:
Eagles: QB Donovan McNabb. Turned the ball over three times vs. Cowboys and averaged just 5.74 yards per attempt.
Redskins: WR Brandon Lloyd. Has just two catches and was suspended last week for missing a meeting.
Key matchups
1. Eagles LDT Mike Patterson vs. Redskins RG Jason Fabini: Patterson's first-step quickness will be a problem for Fabini, who has replaced injured Randy Thomas. Advantage: Patterson.
2. Eagles CB Will James vs. Redskins WR Santana Moss: Moss gave the taller James fits with his quickness in Week 2. Advantage: Moss.
3. Eagles WRs Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown vs. Redskins CBs Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot: Curtis and Brown weren't factors in the first meeting. With Smoot nursing a sore hamstring, they need to be. Advantage: Even
What we're watching
Five keys that fans should keep their eyes on:
1. Looking for Davey. The more you see of David Akers on Sunday the worse it will be for the Eagles. Their ineptness inside the 20 - they are 27th in the league in red-zone offense with just 10 touchdowns in 28 trips - is one of the main reasons they are a near-death 3-5. Akers' 21 field-goal attempts (he's converted 17) has him tied for most in the league.
2. The Portis factor. The Redskins' passing game has struggled all season. They are ranked 26th in passing and none of their wide receivers has managed to catch a TD pass yet. Their best hope of moving the football will be giving it to Clinton Portis, who ran the ball 36 times last week vs. Jets for 196 yards.
3. Pressuring Campbell. Step 1 is stopping Portis on first and second down and forcing Jason Campbell into obvious passing situations. Step 2 is getting pressure on him and forcing him into mistakes. The Redskins are without their starting right guard and right tackle. Their replacements aren't very good. The stage is set for Mike Patterson, Juqua Thomas and yes, even Jevon Kearse, to have big days.
4. Secondary is primary. Both teams have injury problems in the secondary. Eagles strong safety Sean Considine is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Cornerback Lito Sheppard reinjured his sprained knee and is questionable. The Redskins lost starting cornerback Carlos Rogers for the season and also may be without his replacement, Fred Smoot (hamstring).
