Eagles-Redskins Scouting Report

Recent history: The Redskins defeated the Eagles at the Linc on Oct. 3, 17-12, and lead the series, 79-68-6.

OFFENSE

Eagles

376.3 yards a game (4th)

Redskins

325.5 yards a game (19th)

Quarterback

Eagles

In 15 quarters, Michael Vick has a league-best 105.3 passer rating and hasn't thrown an interception in 125 attempts. His mobility not only has given a boost to the running game but also has helped offset the instability of the offensive line by extending plays, which puts pressure on the opposing secondary.

Redskins

Donovan McNabb has struggled in his first season in D.C. His .574 completion percentage is the third lowest of his career. His interception percentage is the highest since his rookie season. He's got the lowest touchdown percentage in the league. But he's got an NFL-best six completions of 50-plus yards.

Pick: Eagles

Running back

Eagles

Take out LeSean McCoy's 62-yard cutback run on the Eagles' first possession last week and the second-year running back has rushed for just 113 yards in his last 47 carries. He has just one rushing TD in the last 6 games. McCoy leads all NFL running backs in receptions with 41 (12 vs. Redskins on Oct. 3).

Redskins

Clinton Portis has missed the last four games with a torn groin and Ryan Torain tweaked his hamstring 2 weeks ago. Mike Shanahan likes to establish the run first, then attack through the air. He ran the ball on nine of the first 11 plays vs. Eagles in Week 4. Portis' absence also has affected pass protection.

Pick: Eagles

Receiving

Eagles

DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin were non-factors in the first Washington game. Michael Vick missed the last three quarters of that game. Jackson has benefited from Vick's strong arm and ability to extend plays. In 15 quarters with Vick, Jackson has 21 catches, three TDs and a 20.6 yards-per-catch average.

Redskins

Anthony Armstrong is an out-of-nowhere wideout with excellent deep speed who is second in the league with a 21.6 yards-per-catch average. He had a 57-yard catch vs. Eagles in Week 4. TE Chris Cooley has 23 catches in the last four games and has been targeted 61 times by Donovan McNabb.

Pick: Eagles

Offensive line

Eagles

The instability of this unit has prompted Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg to use more maximum protection than ever before. The only blocker they've gotten consistently good play from has been LG Todd Herremans. LT Jason Peters played well last week after returning from knee surgery.

Redskins

After giving up just six sacks in the first four games, this unit has allowed 17 in the last four, including seven in a Week 8 loss to Detroit. RT Jammal Brown still isn't fully recovered from the hip injury that sidelined him in '09. Rookie LT Trent Williams is a work in progress.

Pick: Even

DEFENSE

Eagles

318.8 yards a game (12th)

Redskins

393.3 yards a game (31st)

Defensive line

Eagles

The Eagles need to neutralize the Redskins' ground game, which is something they were unable to do in Week 4. But the emergence of hard-to-budge DT Antonio Dixon has helped change that. Eagles have held their last four opponents to just 3.2 yards per carry after allowing 4.3 per carry in Weeks 1-4.

Redskins

Albert Haynesworth was removed from the 3-4 base defense and is being used primarily as an inside pass rusher in the nickel. He's been very effective in the role. Redskins also abandoned the Andre Carter-to-linebacker experiment. He's been moved back to DE, though he's not big enough to be a 3-4 DE.

Pick: Eagles

Linebacker

Eagles

After the Eagles gave up 169 rushing yards to the Redskins, Sean McDermott benched SLB Akeem Jordan and replaced him with the more physical Moise Fokou. In the four games since, the Eagles have held teams to just 3.2 yards per carry. LBs need to neutralize TE Chris Cooley, a favorite target of Donovan McNabb.

Redskins

OLB Lorenzo Alexander has flourished since being moved from DE to LB. He's been outstanding against the run and also has 1 1/2 sacks. Brian Orakpo has seven sacks, but was shut out by the Eagles in Week 4. ILB London Fletcher has been every bit as productive in the new 3-4 as he was in the old 4-3.

Pick: Redskins

Secondary

Eagles

Despite injuries to two starters, this unit did an excellent job vs. Peyton Manning, intercepting him twice and holding him to 5.65 yards per attempt. DBs have all 13 of the Eagles' picks. Donovan McNabb will be looking for ways to exploit the inexperience of rookie FS Kurt Coleman.

Redskins

The Redskins used an effective Cover-2 strategy in the first meeting, holding DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin to a combined four catches for 34 yards. CB DeAngelo Hall has a league-best six interceptions, but four came against Jay Cutler and the Bears. SS LaRon Landry leads the league with 60 unassisted tackles.

Pick: Redskins

Special teams

Eagles

David Akers has made nine straight FGAs since missing three vs. Falcons in Week 6. In addition, 13 of his last 28 kickoffs have been touchbacks. The Eagles have given up just one kickoff return of more than 21 yards in the last three games. Jorrick Calvin is averaging 24.6 yards per attempt on KRs and 11.5 on PRs.

Redskins

The Redskins suffered a big blow in the Detroit game when their outstanding return man, Brandon Banks, injured his knee. Banks, who kick-started the 'Skins first TD drive vs. Eagles in Week 4, likely won't play. Washington is second in the league in kickoff coverage (18.9), but 27th in punt coverage (13.0).

Pick: Eagles

Domowitch's prediction: Eagles 20, Redskins 14

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles RDE Trent Cole vs. Redskins LT Trent Williams: Cole leads the Eagles in sacks with seven. Williams, a rookie, was the Redskins' first-round pick in April, but he's still a work in progress. Advantage: Eagles

2. Eagles C Mike McGlynn vs. Redskins DT Albert Haynesworth: The Redskins have removed Haynesworth from their base 3-4 and are using him primarily as an inside pass rusher in their nickel. He was very disruptive in the first game against the Eagles. Advantage: Redskins

3. Eagles WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin vs. Redskins CBs DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers: The Redskins held Jackson and Maclin to a combined four catches and 34 yards in the first meeting. But Michael Vick's mobility should provide more time to get open. Advantage: Eagles

HOT AND NOT

Hot

Eagles: WR DeSean Jackson. Notched his third 100-yard receiving performance of the season vs. Colts.

Redskins: LB Brian Orakpo. Has a team-high seven sacks, including three in the last three games.

Not

Eagles: TE Brent Celek. Didn't have a catch against the Colts, snapping a streak of 41 straight games with at least one reception.

Redskins: QB Donovan McNabb. His 76.0 passer rating is his lowest since his rookie season.