Domowitch's Eagles-Redskins scouting report

Recent history: The Redskins won both games last season and lead the series, 84-73-5. The first game was played in 1934, when the Redskins were based in Boston.

WHEN THE EAGLES RUN THE BALL

The Eagles averaged a season-high 5.5 yards per carry in their loss at Detroit. The offensive line had its best collective run-blocking performance of the season, but loses starting RT Lane Johnson this week to a 10-game PED suspension. The Eagles are averaging 29.3 rushing attempts per game, which is the fifth most in the NFL, but are only 15th in yards per attempt (4.1). They will be facing a defense that is ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed per game (130.0) and 32nd in rush average (5.1 per carry). They already have had two RBs rush for 100-plus against them. The Eagles are a by-committee running team. Ryan Mathews is their primary ballcarrier, but he's averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and has only two 10-plus-yard runs in 44 rushing attempts. Darren Sproles, Kenjon Barner and Wendell Smallwood have combined for 12 double-digit-yard runs in 58 carries.

EDGE: Eagles

WHEN THE EAGLES PASS THE BALL

Carson Wentz proved he's not perfect Sunday, throwing the first interception of his career. He continues to play with poise not often found in rookies. He's sixth in the league in passing (103.5). His accuracy and decision-making, with the exception of the ill-advised deep ball to Nelson Agholor, has been impressive. In the last two games, he's completed 75 percent of his throws and has averaged 8.4 yards per attempt. He's averaging 9.0 yards per attempt on third down. The only QB in the league averaging more is Ben Roethlisberger (10.5). Against the Lions, six different receivers had at least three receptions. The Redskins are 29th in opponent completion percentage (68.8), but are coming off an impressive performance vs. the Ravens and Joe Flacco. Despite being without two of their top three corners, they held Flacco to 4.6 yards per attempt.

EDGE: Eagles

WHEN THE REDSKINS RUN THE BALL

The Redskins are averaging just 21 rushing attempts per game, which is the fourth fewest in the league. In their win over the Ravens last week, they faced six third-down situations of 2 yards or less. They threw the ball all six times. The Redskins have run on just seven of 58 third-down plays. Matt Jones, a dangerous 6-2, 232-pound runner with a good blend of speed and power, is averaging a respectable 4.1 yards per carry, but has had just one 20-carry game (22 for 117 yards vs. Cleveland in Week 4). The Eagles are third in the league in rushing yards allowed (73.3), but that number is deceiving. Opponents are averaging a league-low 19 rushing attempts per game. The Eagles had held their first three opponents to just 15 yards on 11 first-quarter carries. But the Lions were able to get to the outside early, rushing for 57 yards on 12 carries in the first quarter.

EDGE: Eagles

WHEN THE REDSKINS PASS THE BALL

Kirk Cousins got off to a rocky start in season-opening losses, throwing just one touchdown pass and three interceptions. But he has played better the last three games. He has a 100.7 passer rating in wins over the Giants, Browns and Ravens, including six touchdown passes and just two interceptions. But Cousins could be without his go-to receiver. Tight end Jordan Reed, who has a team-high 33 receptions, including 17 in the last two games, entered concussion protocol earlier this week after experiencing symptoms. Jamison Crowder is one of the league's better slot receivers. He had 59 receptions last year and already has 21 this year. Ex-Eagle DeSean Jackson still is a lethal vertical threat, but often gets forgotten by Cousins. The Eagles have given up just three TD passes, the third fewest in the league, and are second in sacks per pass play.

EDGE: Eagles

SPECIAL TEAMS

Eagles PK Caleb Sturgis is off to an excellent start. He's made 10 of 11 FG attempts, including three from 49, 50 and 53 yards. Fifteen of his 25 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks. The Eagles have held opponents to 18.1 yards per return on the other 10. The Eagles have the league's second best opponent drive start on kickoffs (22.6 yard line). P Donnie Jones is only 26th in net average (36.8), but just two of his 17 attempts have been returned. The Eagles have had just six kickoff returns. PR Darren Sproles is averaging 11.6 yards per return. Redskins PK Dustin Hopkins is 13-for-14 on FG attempts. P Tress Way is 27th in net average (36.5) with just five of his 14 attempts returned so far. PR Jamison Crowder is averaging a league-best 27.7 yards per return. He had an 85-yard return for a TD last week vs. Baltimore.

EDGE: Even

INTANGIBLES

The Redskins have won three in a row after season-opening defeats to Pittsburgh and Dallas. The Eagles lost last week to Detroit. FedEx Field has not been kind to the Eagles lately. They've lost three of their last four there, including three-point defeats the last two years.

EDGE: Redskins

Domo's prediction: Eagles 24, Redskins 21

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles LT Jason Peters vs. Redskins ROLB Preston Smith: This one's a grudge match for Peters. Smith beat him for a pair of sacks last December and the eight-time Pro Bowler wants to even the score. ADVANTAGE: Eagles

2. Eagles NCB Ron Brooks vs. Redskins SWR Jamison Crowder: Crowder is one of the league's better slot receivers. Brooks has been a solid addition to the Eagles' secondary. ADVANTAGE: Redskins

3. Eagles RT Halapoulivaati Vaitai vs. Redskins WOLB Ryan Kerrigan: Vaitai is making his first NFL start, replacing suspended Lane Johnson. Kerrigan is one of the league's top 3-4 pass rushers. ADVANTAGE: Redskins

Hot and Not

HOT

Eagles: PK Caleb Sturgis. Booted three field goals vs. Lions, including 50- and 49-yarders. Has made 10 of 11 attempts.

Redskins: TE Jordan Reed. Has 17 catches and 2 TDs last two games, but might miss game due to a concussion.

NOT

Eagles: TE Brent Celek. Played season-low 23 snaps vs. the Lions. Didn't have a ball thrown to him.

Redskins: WR DeSean Jackson. Former Eagle has just four catches for 40 yards in the last two games.

@Pdomo Blog: philly.com/Eaglesblog