Eagles-Redskins scouting report

Recent history: The Redskins won at the Linc on Oct. 5, 23-17, and lead the series, 77-66-6.

Eagles: 359.3 yards a game (7th)

Redskins: 328.8 yards a game (17th)

Eagles: Donovan McNabb has been a different quarterback since being benched in Baltimore. In the last three games, he has a .692 completion percentage and has thrown seven TD passes and one INT. Redskins play a lot of man coverage, which could open up some running opportunities for McNabb.

Redskins: The more Jason Campbell has had to throw the ball, the less efficient he's been. He averaged just 28.7 attempts per game in the 'Skins' 6-2 start, with eight TD passes and zero interceptions. In the last six games, he has averaged 35.5 attempts and has just four TDs, with six interceptions.

PICK: EAGLES

Eagles: Eagles had a 6-6 run-pass split on their game-opening, 80-yard scoring drive in the first Washington game, then ran just 12 more times. They need to be a little more committed to the run against the Redskins' banged-up front seven, particularly with Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter reasonably healthy.

Redskins: An offense that succeeded early by running the ball a lot has inexplicably gone away from that strategy. Clinton Portis, who had 20-plus carries in each of the first eight games, has had 15 or less in four of the last six. He's averaging just 2.8 yards per carry in the last three games.

PICK: EAGLES

Eagles: The receivers, who were near the top of the league in drops for much of the season, have been sure-handed of late. Donovan McNabb has been in sync with his wideouts since Andy Reid went to a smaller cast and fewer personnel groupings. In the Cleveland and Arizona wins, 38 of McNabb's 53 completions were to wideouts.

Redskins: TE Chris Cooley has 73 receptions, but just one touchdown (against the Eagles). He's also lost two fumbles after losing just one the previous four seasons. WR Santana Moss has averaged just 48.3 receiving yards the last six games. Rookies Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly have made little impact.

PICK: EAGLES

Eagles: The importance of veteran tackles Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan can not be overstated. Their consistent play has helped hold together a line that is on its third RG and still is sixth in the league in sacks allowed per pass play (20 in 559 pass plays). This unit hasn't given up more than two sacks in a game since Week 4.

Redskins: They lost five-time Pro Bowl LT Chris Samuels to a season-ending triceps injury 2 weeks ago. They also could be without RT Jon Jansen, who missed last week's game with a knee injury. Their inside trio of Gs Pete Kendall and Randy Thomas and C Casey Rabach is as good as any interior line in the league.

PICK: EVEN

Eagles: 274.4 yards a game (3rd)

Redskins: 284.8 yards a game (5th)

Eagles: The Eagles have 41 sacks, but 17 have come in two games vs. Steelers (9) and Bengals (8). Jim Johnson has been using four DEs on passing downs most of the season, which has helped them get consistent pressure on the QB even when they don't blitz. DE Trent Cole's 19 hurries are 11 more than he had last season.

Redskins: Injuries have weakened the interior line. DT Cornelius Griffin, their best lineman, has an abdominal strain, and DT Kedric Golston is battling bone spurs. DE Jason Taylor pretty much has been a wasted acquisition. He has just 1 1/2 sacks and isn't even starting.

PICK: EAGLES

Eagles: This unit did not play very well in the first Washington game, when the Redskins rushed for 203 yards and TE Chris Cooley caught eight passes for 109 yards and a TD. Since then, their play vs. the run has improved dramatically. Eagles have allowed just 2.7 yards per carry in the last five games.

Redskins: This unit has been hurt even worse by injuries than the d-line. WLB Rocky McIntosh has a chronic knee condition that has effected his play. SLB Marcus Washington has missed the last four games with the dreaded high ankle sprain. And MLB London Fletcher is playing on a badly sprained foot.

PICK: EAGLES

Eagles: The Eagles have given up 19 TD passes, which already is the third most in the Jim Johnson era. But their .539 opposition completion percentage is the fourth best in the league. Johnson is starting to integrate rookie Quintin Demps into his base package on first down as a third safety against stronger running teams.

Redskins: This is the defense's best unit. Redskins play a lot of man coverage and have the corners to do it. One of them, DeAngelo Hall, has played much better for the Redskins than he did for the Raiders. 'Skins have given up just 32 completions of 20 yards or more, the fourth fewest in the league.

PICK: REDSKINS

Eagles: David Akers already has 15 touchbacks on kickoffs this season, which is nine more than he had all of last season. DeSean Jackson had a 68-yard punt return for a TD in the first Redskins game. Quintin Demps is fourth in the NFC in kick-return average (26.0).

Redskins: P Ryan Plackemeier has a poor net average (33.8) and it isn't expected to get much better this week kicking to dangerous DeSean Jackson. PK Shaun Suisham has made just 24 of 33 field-goal attempts this season. He's 11-for-18 from 40-plus yards.

HOT:

Eagles: WR Jason Avant. Notched the first 100-yard receiving game of his career vs. Browns.

Redskins: TE Chris Cooley. Has 33 catches in the last six games.

NOT:

Eagles: RB Lorenzo Booker. Has just 26 touches this season and has been deactivated for four of the last six games.

Redskins: RB Clinton Portis. Is averaging just 2.8 yards per carry in the last three games.

1. Eagles WR DeSean Jackson vs. Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall: Jackson had one catch for 8 yards in first meeting with Washington. Advantage: Even

2. Eagles RDE Trent Cole vs. Redskins LT Stephon Heyer: Heyer was moved from the right side to replace injured Chris Samuel. Advantage: Eagles

3. Eagles SLB Chris Gocong vs. Redskins TE Chris Cooley: Cooley had eight catches for 109 yards and a TD in the first game. Advantage: Redskins

Eagles 27, Redskins 13