Eagles-Redskins scouting report

The Eagles' running game showed signs of life in Week 3 for the first time this season. It came with DeMarco Murray out of the lineup. Murray is questionable for Sunday with a hamstring injury. After rushing for 108 yards last week, Ryan Mathews will maintain a role even if Murray plays. The Eagles will start Matt Tobin at right guard, replacing Andrew Gardner, who is out for the season. Eagles left tackle Jason Peters is questionable with a quadriceps injury.

Washington has an impressive defensive front that limits opponents to the third fewest yards per game in the NFL. Nose tackle Terrance Knighton, a Temple product, is a huge presence in the middle of Washington's line. Defensive ends Jason Hatcher and Stephen Paea are both accomplished veterans, too.

If the weather allows, the Eagles could find success in the passing game. The Redskins' top cornerback, DeAngelo Hall, is out and fellow starter Chris Culliver is questionable with a knee injury. Washington will rely on Bashaud Breeland and Will Blackmon, a journeyman cornerback. But the Eagles' passing game has been inconsistent, and quarterback Sam Bradford will have to throw downfield to take advantage of the injured secondary. The Eagles' outside receivers did not catch a pass last week, but that should change. Nelson Agholor could finally have the breakout game that eluded him in September.

Pay attention to tight end Zach Ertz, who had 15 catches against Washington last season. The Redskins have a different defensive coordinator, but the opposing offenses' top pass catcher in Washington's first two games were tight ends.

When the Eagles enter field-goal range, kicker Caleb Sturgis will be a player to watch. The team signed him on Tuesday to replace the injured Cody Parkey.

The Washington offense is built around a strong running game. Alfred Morris and rookie Matt Jones both ran for 100 yards in the first two weeks, and coach Jay Gruden mixes both into the game. Morris averages 4.1 yards per carry, and Jones averages 5.3. The 6-foot-2, 231-pound Jones also has two fumbles. The Redskins' offensive line has been productive under new position coach Bill Callahan. Left tackle Trent Williams is one of the top linemen in the NFL, although he will be playing with a new left guard, Arie Kouandjio, next to him on Sunday. First-round pick Brandon Scherff is the team's right guard.

The strength of the Eagles defense is its run-stopping unit. Cedric Thornton and Taylor Hart are out for the second consecutive week, but Brandon Bair effectively filled in last week and will start again on Sunday. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks is questionable to return after missing last week with an injury. Even if he plays, Jordan Hicks will continue to have a role at linebacker.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins won the starting job over Robert Griffin III. He is completing 69.2 percent of his passes, but he has also thrown four interceptions. The Eagles' five interceptions are tied for third most in the NFL. Cousins' best game came last season against the Eagles, when he threw for 427 yards and three touchdowns in a loss. Cousins also had former Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson that day. Jackson is out with a hamstring injury. Washington's top wide receiver is Pierre Garcon, who had 15 catches for 199 yards against the Eagles last season. The Eagles must account for tight end Jordan Reed. He's Washington's leading receiver, and they like to use him in the slot. Safety Malcolm Jenkins could see time on Reed. Running back Chris Thompson had eight catches for the Redskins last week, so he's a receiving threat out of the backfield.

When Washington punts the ball, all eyes will be on Eagles returner Darren Sproles. He returned a punt for a touchdown last week, and Washington is one of six NFL teams to have allowed a punt return touchdown this season.

27: DeSean Jackson averaged 27 yards per catch in two games against the Eagles last season. He had nine catches for 243 yards against his former team. Jackson has a hamstring injury that he suffered early in Week 1 and is expected to miss Sunday's game. Without that big-play ability, Washington has struggled with the deep ball. Quarterback Kirk Cousins hs completed only two passes that have traveled more than 20 yards. The Eagles defense, which has placed an emphasis on preventing big plays, would have been tested with Jackson in the lineup. Without him, it will be easier to limit the "X" plays that hurt the Eagles last December in their loss to Washington.

Zach Berman: Eagles 28, Redskins 20

Jeff McLane: Eagles 27, Redskins 17