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Eagles-Redskins scouting report

Recent history: The Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak with a 20-13 win over Washington on Oct. 16. All-time, the Redskins lead the series, 79-70-6.

(Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)
(Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)Read more

Recent history: The Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak with a 20-13 win over Washington on Oct. 16. All-time, the Redskins lead the series, 79-70-6.

OFFENSE

Eagles: 399.7 yards per game (3rd)

Redskins: 334.0 yards per game (16th)

Quarterback

Eagles: Michael Vick has thrown at least one interception in nine of his 12 starts this season. In his last five starts, he's completed only 54.5 percent of his attempts and thrown four TD passes and five interceptions. Since the Dolphins game on Dec. 11, Vick has displayed much better pocket patience.

Redskins: Rex Grossman has a strong arm, but isn't particularly accurate and is a poor decision-maker, particularly when under pressure. He was benched after throwing four interceptions vs. Eagles in Week 6. He is 32nd in the league in interception percentage with 19 picks in 413 attempts.

Pick: Eagles

Running back

Eagles: A league-best 102 of LeSean McCoy's 321 touches this season have resulted in first downs. In the last 10 games, he has converted 30 of 38 short-yardage situations (2 yards or less) into first downs or touchdowns. An ankle sprain could limit his workload. Look for rookie Dion Lewis to get some work.

Redskins: The Redskins are 26th in the league in rushing. Tim Hightower is on IR, Ryan Torain was released and rookie Roy Helu, the 'Skins' most productive runner, missed Sunday's game with knee and toe injuries. Another rookie, former Penn Stater Evan Royster (132 yards vs. Vikings), will start.

Pick: Eagles

Receiver

Eagles: After catching only nine passes in the first five games, TE Brent Celek has 47 receptions for 652 yards and four TDs in the last 10. He and Jeremy Maclin are Vick's go-to guys in the red zone: 16 catches and eight touchdowns inside the 20 combined.

Redskins: With Chris Cooley on IR and Fred Davis suspended, Grossman has no pass-catching option at TE. Ex-Eagles WR Jabar Gaffney has 18 catches in the last three games and is an excellent route-runner. Another ex-Eagle, Donte Stallworth, is the Redskins' best vertical threat.

Pick: Eagles

Offensive Line

Eagles: The steady play of this unit has been one of the biggest positives of an otherwise disappointing season. Moving longtime LG Todd Herremans to RT and replacing him at LG with Evan Mathis helped solidify a group that includes two rookies. Eagles are 12th in the league in sacks allowed per pass play.

Redskins: Because of injuries and the drug suspension of LT Trent Williams, the Redskins have used seven offensive-line combinations this season. Williams' replacement, Willie Smith, and LG Maurice Hurt, are rookies with a total of nine career starts between them. Redskins have given up 40 sacks.

Pick: Eagles

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DEFENSE

Eagles: 321.4 yards per game (8th)

Redskins: 336.5 yards per game (13th)

Defensive Line

Eagles: They have a league-best 49 sacks, and Jim Washburn's d-line has accounted for 42.5 of them. LE Trent Cole, who has tended to fade in the second half of the season from overuse, has played fewer snaps this year and notched five of his 10 sacks in last four games.

Redskins: Free-agent additions of DE Stephen Bowen and NT Barry Cofield have paid off. Bowen is one of the league's better five-technique pass-rushers (six sacks). Cofield has made a successful transition from a 4-3 DT to 3-4 NT. LE Adam Carriker is having his best season. The three have 14.5 sacks combined.

Pick: Even

Linebacker

Eagles: Since Akeem Jordan became the starting SAM in Week 10, the Eagles have given up more than 110 rushing yards only once and held opponents to 3.5 yards per carry in seven games. They've been much better this season vs. opposing TEs, allowing only two TD catches to TEs in the last 11 games.

Redskins: MLB London Fletcher is 36, but plays like a guy 10 years younger, leading the league with 162 tackles. Brian Orakpo and rookie first-rounder Ryan Kerrigan have combined for 14 1/2 sacks. Second-year man Perry Riley has replaced Rocky McIntosh at the other inside LB spot.

Pick: Redskins

Secondary

Eagles: With SS Kurt Coleman (biceps) out, rookie Jaiquawn Jarrett will make his second start of the season. With LCB Asante Samuel expected to miss his second straight game (hamstring), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will replace him on the outside and Joselio Hanson will man the slot.

Redskins: This unit is the weak link of the defense. Safeties LaRon Landry and Oshiomogho Atogwe are out with injuries. Their replacements, Reed Doughty and rookie DeJon Gomes are decent run-defenders, but can be exploited in coverage. Corners DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson have given up a lot of big plays.

Pick: Eagles

Special Teams

Eagles: PK Alex Henery has made 14 straight FG attempts, including a seasonlong 51-yarder vs. Dallas. Punt-coverage unit is fourth in the league, but KO-coverage unit has slipped to 13th. Chad Hall had an 18-yard punt return vs. Dallas. Rookie Dion Lewis is 25th in the league in KRs (21.6).

Redskins: PK Graham Gano has made 13 FG in a row after missing nine of his first 26. P Sav Rocca is 11th in the league in net average (39.7) and has only one touchback in 61 attempts. Brandon Banks is a dangerous returner, but is just 21st in the league in KRs (22.9).

Pick: Redskins

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KEY MATCHUPS

Eagles RDE Trent Cole vs. Redskins LT Willie Smith.

Smith is an undrafted rookie with only two career starts. Cole is one of the league's top pass-rushers. Advantage: Eagles

Eagles TE Brent Celek vs. Redskins S's Reed Doughty and DeJon Gomes.

Celek has 47 catches in the last 10 games and is dangerous after the catch. Doughty and Gomes play the run better than the pass. Advantage: Eagles

Eagles RG Danny Watkins vs. Redskins DE Adam Carriker.

Carriker is having his best season, but was in on only one tackle vs. Watkins and Eagles in Week 6. Advantage: Even

Hot and Not

HOT

Eagles: DE Trent Cole. Has five sacks in the last four games.

Redskins: WR Jabar Gaffney. Has 18 catches, 254 yards and two TDs in the last three games.

NOT

Eagles: DE Brandon Graham. Has played in only three of eight games since being activated from PUP list.

Redskins: QB Rex Grossman. Is last in the NFL in interception percentage and has completed only 55.2 percent of his passes in the last four games.

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DOMO'S PREDICTION: EAGLES 31, REDSKINS 13