Eagles looking to finish on an up note

Maybe 2012 will be better.

The Eagles and Redskins both hope so. Neither made progress toward their goals in 2011. The Eagles, coming off a 10-6 season and NFC East title, enter the final week of this campaign with just seven wins and no chance at the playoffs. The Redskins have five victories to show for 2011. The best they can do this season is match the six wins they had the year before. They will again finish at the bottom of the division.

Andy Reid's team has at least shown some life, winning three straight games for the first time all season. Sure, the Eagles weren't facing Pro Bowl quarterbacks, but it's not as if the Redskins come to town with Sammy Baugh, or even Mark Rypien. Instead it's Rex Grossman, whom the Eagles intercepted four times earlier this year.

The Redskins have been in free fall, dropping nine of 11 since their bye week. Their last win was a 23-10 upset over the division rival Giants two weeks ago, so perhaps they have something cooked up for their familiar opponent.

One strength the Eagles have had, though, is their 4-1 record against the NFC East.

All that's left for either team will be a chance to capture one final positive moment and hope that a win Sunday portends better things for 2012.

Michael Vick has been good at times this year but rarely great. Against the Redskins in Week 6 he was held to 18-for-31 passing (58 percent) and the Eagles scored just 20 points, all in the first half. Washington does OK against the pass, giving up just 216 yards per game, 11th in the NFL. Linebackers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan have combined for 141/2 sacks, though they have just three in the last five games.

EDGE: EAGLES

LeSean McCoy is a long shot to win the rushing title - he's 128 yards behind Maurice Jones-Drew entering Sunday - but he did have a big day against Washington earlier this year, going for 126 yards on 28 carries. The Eagles ran for 192 yards that day, the most the Redskins surrendered until they gave up 241 last week against the Vikings. Washington linebacker London Fletcher is a tackling machine who will try to slow Shady, but the Redskins allow 120.6 yards per game on the ground.

EDGE: EAGLES 

   Grossman's 19 interceptions are tied for the most in the NFL and he has a 73.3 passer rating, 29th among starting quarterbacks. With injuries along the offensive line, the Redskins have allowed 40 sacks, tied for 23d in the league, while the Eagles have taken down quarterbacks more than anyone else. The secondary will have a new look, with Dominique Rodgers-

Cromartie starting at cornerback and rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett getting his second start at safety. Jarrett is said to be better against the run than the pass.

EDGE: EAGLES

The ground game is supposed to be a Mike Shanahan staple, but the Redskins have averaged just 98.9 yards rushing, 26th in the league. With a banged-up set of running backs, Shanahan turned last game to Penn State's Evan Royster, who went for 132 yards and a 6.9-yards- per-carry average. Rookie Roy Helu has also said he expects to play after missing the last game with knee and toe injuries. The Eagles, helped by holding big leads, have held their last two opponents to less than 100 yards rushing.

EDGE: EAGLES

 Neither team returns punts or kicks particularly well and both cover decently. The Eagles will try Chad Hall at kick returns, which is something different, though not necessarily better. Alex Henery enters the game having made 14 straight field goals. Washington's Graham Gano has made 77 percent of his kicks, one of the league's worst marks.

EDGE: EAGLES

 Neither team has anything tangible to play for Sunday, but the Eagles are feeling good after three straight wins and have rallied behind Reid. The Redskins? Another in a long line of lost seasons.

EDGE: EAGLES