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Scouting the Eagles and Redskins

When the Eagles run The Eagles' one-two punch of LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles provides a potent rushing attack. They average 4.5 yards per carry, and that's even with McCoy playing below his standard (3.7 yards per carry this season compared with 5.1 last year). McCoy has received at least 20 carries in the first two games. It's only a matter of when he tops 100 yards in a game.

Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
Eagles quarterback Nick Foles. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

When the Eagles run

The Eagles' one-two punch of LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles provides a potent rushing attack. They average 4.5 yards per carry, and that's even with McCoy playing below his standard (3.7 yards per carry this season compared with 5.1 last year). McCoy has received at least 20 carries in the first two games. It's only a matter of when he tops 100 yards in a game.

He'll be challenged to do it on Sunday. Washington's rushing defense ranks fourth in the NFL. It has held opponents to 3 yards per carry and limited Jacksonville to 25 yards total last week, although Houston's Arian Foster totaled 103 yards on 27 carries in the opener. Defensive linemen Jarvis Jenkins, Chris Baker, and Jason Hatcher are especially tough against the run. Linebacker Keenan Robinson is their top tackler. Washington has not allowed a run of longer than 12 yards.

The Eagles are expected to keep Dennis Kelly at left guard and Andrew Gardner at right tackle. Kelly could have his hands full with Hatcher.

The key for the Eagles is to find a way to unleash McCoy.

Edge: Eagles

When the Eagles pass

In Washington's first two games, the opposing quarterbacks were Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chad Henne. It's a much more daunting challenge on Sunday with Nick Foles and the Eagles' pass offense, which is ranked No. 2 in the NFL. That's with Foles and the wide receivers not playing their best football. Foles has relied on his running backs and tight ends, and for good reason. Zach Ertz's six catches of 20-plus yards were the most in the first two weeks of the season, and Sproles caught seven passes for 152 yards last week.

Foles and Jeremy Maclin need to sharpen their connection. Maclin leads the team with 22 targets but has only eight catches. The Eagles want to give Maclin shorter routes so he can run after the catch. That requires precision from Foles. Riley Cooper has only five catches for 37 yards this season. Second-round pick Jordan Matthews dropped a few passes last week and needs to improve quickly to give the Eagles production from the slot.

Washington's pass defense is anchored by a strong rush. Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan are both dangerous along the edges. Kerrigan had four sacks last week and faces Gardner this week. Hatcher has 21/2 sacks and provides a challenge in the interior. The Redskins have veteran DeAngelo Hall and the lengthy David Amerson at cornerback. E.J. Biggers will cover Matthews in the slot. Safety Brandon Meriweather returns from suspension this week.

With Washington's pass rush potentially an issue, don't be surprised to see the Eagles feature the screen game and quick timing routes. McCoy and Sproles could have big games as pass catchers.

Edge: Eagles

When the Redskins run

Washington's 161 rushing yards per game rank No. 3 in the NFL, and top rusher Alfred Morris has averaged 4.9 yards per carry. The Colts rushed 38 times for 169 yards on Monday against the Eagles.

The Birds will need to focus on stopping Morris. The absence of inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks will make that more difficult. The Eagles are expected to start either Casey Matthews or Emmanuel Acho, and either player would be a drop-off from Kendricks. It puts pressure on the defensive line and DeMeco Ryans, who has played well against the run through the first two weeks.

Don't forget about the roles of outside linebackers Connor Barwin and Trent Cole in the running game. The Redskins still use a stretch running game and 48 percent of their rushing plays have gone around the left or right edges.

Edge: Redskins

When the Redskins pass

The Redskins will start Kirk Cousins at quarterback. Cousins had an impressive game replacing Robert Griffin III last week, completing 22 of 33 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. He has started four games in his career and is 1-3, with the win coming in 2011 against Cleveland when Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis was the Browns linebackers coach.

Much attention will be paid to DeSean Jackson, who is questionable for his return to Philadelphia because of a shoulder injury. Jackson has only 81 yards this season and has been limited to 9 yards per catch. He averaged 16.2 yards per catch for the Eagles last season. Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams could both see time against Jackson on the outside, depending upon where Jackson lines up.

Jackson complements Pierre Garcon, who was one of the NFL's top receivers last season. Garcon was targeted 39 times in the three games Cousins started last year and averaged eight catches and 109.7 yards during that period. The Eagles also need to watch out for tight end Niles Paul, who has excelled replacing Jordan Reed. Paul had eight catches for 99 yards and a touchdown last week.

The Eagles did not record a sack against Indianapolis, although Davis was pleased with the pressure they applied. Barwin does not have a sack this season, but he has a favorable matchup against Washington right tackle Tyler Polumbus.

Polumbus has allowed four sacks and five quarterback hurries this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Edge: Even

Special teams

Cody Parkey's game-winning field goal on Monday continued a strong start to the season that has only one blemish - a 38-yard miss earlier in that game. But the Eagles trust Parkey, who is also strong on kickoffs. Punter Donnie Jones is reliable. Sproles is a threat as a punt returner for the Eagles. The coverage units must cut down on penalties after Bryan Braman was flagged twice last week.

Washington returner Andre Roberts is dangerous; he already has two punt returns of more than 20 yards. Kicker Kai Forbath is 2 for 2 on field goals this season with an 88.1 percent career mark, but he's questionable with a groin injury.

Edge: Even

Intangibles

The Eagles swept Washington in Chip Kelly's first season. Washington had an extra day to prepare for the Eagles after the Birds' Monday night game. The Eagles lost on a short week after their Monday game last season. The Eagles struggled in the first halves of their first two games and need to play a complete game. They have won their last five regular-season games at home, dating back to a Nov. 17 win over Washington.

Edge: Eagles

Predictions

Zach Berman: Eagles 31, Redskins 20 Jeff McLane: Redskins 28, Eagles 27