Eagles brace for a potent Redskins ground attack

In this passing age of the NFL the Washington Redskins like to pound teams on the ground and this year they have a two-headed monster, plus a capable receiving threat out of the backfield that has enjoyed some early season success.

Entering Sunday's game against the Eagles in a matchup of 1-2 teams, Washington is fourth in the NFL in rushing, averaging 143.7 yards per game and fifth in yards per carry (4.6).

Alfred Morris has rushed for 199 yards (4.1 avg.) and Matt Jones, a rookie third-round draft choice from Florida, has rushed for 189 yards (5.3 average and two touchdowns.

The Eagles have done a decent job in containing Morris. In six career games, he is averaging 77.5 yards per game and 3.88 yards per carry.

Both the 5-foot-10, 224-pound Morris and the 6-2, 231-pound Jones are physical backs, while Jones has deceptive speed.

"They are similar backs, one-cut straight downhill runners and we have to gang tackle them," Eagles defensive end Fletcher Cox said. "They run really hard and we have to bring out game."

And to mix things up, the Redskins use second-year back Chris Thompson as a receiving threat out of the backfield. Thompson has only had five carries, but he has nine receptions for 67 yards and a score.

"The majority of the time Alfred is our lead dog, but Matt Jones is a great guy to bring in the football game and pound people and Chris Thompson brings a different element with his receiving ability and route running out of the backfield," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said earlier this week in a conference call.

Washington was out of character during last week's 32-21 loss to the host New York Giants. In that game the Redskins got behind early and had to pass the ball more than it would have liked. Kirk Cousins completed 30 of 49 passes for 316 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Cousins is prone to throwing interceptions. He has been picked off 23 times in 514 career attempts, which is one reason that establishing the running game is so important to Washington.

Washington has a young offensive line, which includes first round pick and the fifth overall selection, Brandon Scherff (6-5, 319) at right guard. The Redskins running game has benefited from first-year offensive line coach Bill Callahan, who spent the previous three seasons in Dallas as offensive line coach/offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys. He also led the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl in the 2002 season in his rookie year as head coach.

"He is a really good at developing young guys," Gruden said of Callahan. "The improvement of the young players is the most beneficial thing I see so far."

Both teams may look to run the ball more due to the expected sloppy field conditions. If Cousins has to pass anywhere near 49 times this week, the Redskins will likely be in big trouble.

Notes. Despite the expected inclement weather from Hurricane Joaquin, the NFL said the game at FedEx Field is expected to be played as scheduled at 1 p.m. Sunday. . . . Former Eagle DeSean Jackson, who has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in the opener, won't play on Sunday. . . .Linebacker Perry Riley Jr. (calf) and cornerback DeAngelo Hall (toe) have also been ruled out. . .Eagles players listed as out are linebacker Kiko Alonso (knee), defensive end Taylor Hart (shoulder), and defensive end Cedric Thornton (hand). Listed as questionable are linebacker Mychal Kendricks (hamstring), safety Chris Maragos (quadriceps), running back DeMarco Murray (hamstring) and offensive tackle Jason Peters (quadriceps). Eagles players who are probable are tight end Trey Burton (shoulder), receiver Riley Cooper (knee) and receiver Josh Huff (hamstring). . . .With Thornton and Hart out, that means Brandon Bair will play in his second consecutive game after batting down three passes in last week's 24-17 win over the New York Jets. "I was called upon to play and didn't let my teammates down and I didn't want them on edge because a backup was in the game," Bair said earlier this week. "So I was able to do what I was asked to do and help the team."

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard