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Eagles-Redskins scouting report | Paul Domowitch

The Eagles ran the ball just 24 times vs. the Redskins in Week 1. That likely won't be the case this time.

Eagles tight end Zach Ertz catches a touchdown against Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley.
Eagles tight end Zach Ertz catches a touchdown against Carolina Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley.Read more(Clem Murray/Staff Photographer)

When Eagles run the ball

The Eagles (5-1) have placed a little more emphasis on their run game since their Week 1 meeting vs. the Redskins when their RBs had just 20 attempts. In the last four games, the Eagles have averaged 35.2 carries, and 4.5 yards per carry. In their last four games, they have averaged 4.8 yards on first down, compared to 2.7 in Week 1. LeGarrette Blount will turn 31 in December, but is running like a kid. The 250-pounder is eighth in the NFL in rushing with 390 yards. Most of those yards have come after contact. He is averaging 5.6 yards per carry overall. Forty-five of his 70 rushing attempts have been on first down. In the last four games, he's averaging 5.9 yards per carry on first down. Nine of his 11 double-digit-yard runs have been on first down. The Redskins are eighth in run defense (88.0 yards per game), but teams haven't really run much against them. The only team that ran the ball more than 24 times vs. Washington was Kansas City (168 yards on 31 carries).

EDGE: Eagles

When Eagles throw the ball

Carson Wentz is seventh in the league in passing (99.6). He has thrown just one interception in his last 135 attempts, and his 13 TD passes are tied for second most in the league. Last year, he threw 16 the entire season. Eagles are first in third-down efficiency (50.6%), and Wentz is a big reason. He's first in third-down passing (130.5). He's averaging 10.2 yards per attempt on third down, and seven of his 13 TD passes have come on third down. TE Zach Ertz is having an All-Pro-caliber season. His 34 receptions are the most by a TE. Twenty of those 34 catches have been for first downs. He had eight catches for 93 yards (6 first downs) in the Eagles' first meeting vs. the Redskins. Nelson Agholor has been one of the league's most improved players. He is averaging 16.1 yards per catch out of the slot, with four TDs. The Redskins, who have given up just six TD passes this season, will be without their best corner, Josh Norman, out with a broken rib.

EDGE: Eagles

When Redskins run the ball

EDGE: Eagles

When Redskins throw the ball

Kirk Cousins is third in the league in passing (106.4 rating). He is averaging 8.44 yards per attempt and has thrown just two interceptions in 158 attempts. The Eagles did a good job against him in Week 1 (57.5 completion percentage, 6.0 yards per attempt, 1 TD, 1 INT, 72.9 passer rating). Jordan Reed is one of the league's more dangerous pass-catching TEs, particularly on third down. But he has been hurt and has just seven catches for 58 yards in the last two games after sitting out Week 3 with a rib injury. WR Terrelle Pryor has yet to have a game with more than 70 receiving yards. The Eagles' pass rush was very effective last week vs. Cam Newton. Their main focus is not giving up the deep ball and limiting yards after the catch. In their last three games, they've held opposing QBs to 6.5 yards per attempt. Their blitz has been very effective. They have a 53.5 opponent passer rating when they've sent five or more rushers.

EDGE: Even

Special teams

EDGE: Eagles

Domowitch’s prediction

Eagles 37, Redskins 27

Key matchups

Eagles TE Zach Ertz vs. Redskins S D.J. Swearinger: Ertz is the most productive pass-catching TE in the league this season. Had eight catches for 93 yards in the first game vs. the Redskins. ADVANTAGE: Eagles

Eagles RDE Vinny Curry vs. Redskins LT Trent Williams: Curry has been solid against the run and pass. Williams is one of the top left tackles in the game. Hasn't given up a sack or hit yet this season, but is nursing a knee injury that could have an impact on his effectiveness. ADVANTAGE: Redskins

Eagles RT Lane Johnson vs. Redskins OLB Ryan Kerrigan: Johnson has given up just five pressures in five games. Kerrigan is one of the league's better 3-4 pass-rushers. Had a half-sack and a hurry in Week 1 meeting. ADVANTAGE: Eagles

Hot and Not

Hot

Eagles: LBs Nigel Bradham and Mychal Kendricks. Combined for 17 tackles against the Panthers and made several key plays vs. both the pass and run.

Redskins: DE Matt Ioannidis. The former Temple star had a sack and four hurries against the 49ers and is second on the team in sacks with 3 ½.

Not

Eagles: WR Torrey Smith. Targeted just twice in the Carolina game, he had one catch for 6 yards.

Redskins: TE Jordan Reed. He is averaging just 7.9 yards per catch. Has seven receptions for 58 yards in the last two games.