Eagles-Redskins scouting report

Recent history: The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 31-6, on Nov. 18 in Landover, Md. The Redskins lead the series, 80-70-5.

QUARTERBACK

Eagles: In his first start against the Redskins 5 weeks ago, Nick Foles struggled against the blitz, completing just 8 of 18 passes and throwing two interceptions when they sent five or more rushers. Since then, he has done a good job of moving and sliding in the pocket and has thrown just one pick.

Redskins: Robert Griffin III is nursing a knee injury that kept him out of last week's game. He is expected to play, but could be limited. He rushed for 84 yards and had four touchdown passes and just one incompletion in 15 attempts in the first meeting.

Pick: Redskins

RUNNING BACK

Eagles: LeSean McCoy, who has missed the last four games with a concussion, returns this week. He's averaging a half-yard less per carry this year than last year when he was a first-team All-Pro selection. Bryce Brown averaged 8.1 yards per carry in his first two starts, and just 1.4 in his last two.

Redskins: Mike Shanahan uses the run to set up the pass, and rookie Alfred Morris has set it up well this season. The 5-9, 220-pounder is a very good north-south runner who has rushed for 1,322 yards and is averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

Pick: Redskins

RECEIVING

Eagles: WR Jeremy Maclin was targeted by Foles 22 times in the last two games and had 13 catches for 177 yards and a touchdown. With TE Clay Harbor out with a season-ending back injury, the Eagles probably won't give the Redskins many two-tight end looks.

Redskins: WR Pierre Garcon missed six of the first nine games with injuries, but is healthy now and gives RGIII a go-to receiver. He's been targeted 38 times in the last four games and has 21 catches, including three TDs, in those four games.

Pick: Eagles

OFFENSIVE LINE

Eagles: After giving up six sacks to the Bucs 2 weeks ago, this unit played much better last week, giving up just one sack to a Bengals defense that led the league in sacks. RG Jake Scott has provided stability to a position that desperately needed some.

Redskins: LT Trent Williams is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season. He took Trent Cole completely out of the game in the first meeting. The interior three - guards Kory Lichtensteiger and Chris Chester and center Will Montgomery - have done a nice job of blocking for Morris.

Pick: Redskins

DEFENSIVE LINE

Eagles: The Eagles have held their last four opponents to 3.7 yards per carry, which predates the abolishment of the wide-nine. The pass rush has been better, though, in the two games since Tommy Brasher replaced Jim Washburn as d-line coach.

Redskins: Redskins have been inconsistent vs. run, allowing 4.2 yards per carry. Ravens, Steelers, Panthers and Rams all have rushed for 129-plus yards vs. them. NT Barry Cofield and RE Stephen Bowen both are better pass-rushers than they are run-defenders.

Pick: Eagles

LINEBACKER

Eagles: With the move of Mychal Kendricks from SAM to WILL and the insertion of Jamar Chaney at SAM, this unit been more stout against the run. Chaney and MLB DeMeco Ryans combined for 17 tackles last week vs. Bengals.

Redskins: The loss of Brian Orakpo was a big blow to the 'Skins' pass rush. They are 29th in the league in sacks per pass play. Rob Jackson, who has replaced Orakpo, has come on strong in the second half of the season. Jackson has four sacks in the last five games.

Pick: Even

SECONDARY

Eagles: The Eagles have benched safety Nate Allen and will start Colt Anderson and Kurt Coleman this week, which they hope will make them a little better equipped to handle the Redskins' ground game. Anderson has displayed Dawkins-like aggressiveness in last two starts.

Redskins: The Redskins have allowed a league-high 28 touchdown passes. They also have 17 interceptions, the fourth most in the league. They are 30th in passing yards allowed per game. CB Josh Wilson has given up six TD passes and has allowed 17.3 yards per completion.

Pick: Eagles

SPECIAL TEAMS

Eagles: Eagles are 30th in punt coverage and 30th in kickoff coverage. Three of the last eight PRs against them have been 17 yards or more. They also had a punt blocked vs. Bengals. Just one of Brandon Boykin's 42 kickoff returns has been more than 33 yards.

Redskins: PK Kai Forbath has converted 15 of 15 FG attempts since replacing Billy Cundiff, including 10 of 10 from 40-plus yards. 'Skins are fifth in the league in punt coverage and 14th in kickoff coverage. Richard Crawford has replaced struggling Brandon Banks on punt returns.

Pick: Redskins

DOMOWITCH'S PREDICTION: REDSKINS 27, EAGLES 20

KEY MATCHUPS

1. Eagles WR Riley Cooper vs. Redskins CB Josh Wilson: Wilson is giving up 6 inches to Cooper. He's given up 6 TD passes and has allowed 17.3 yards per completion. Advantage: Eagles

2. Eagles LDE Brandon Graham vs. Redskins RT Tyler Polumbus: Graham is playing well and has 4 sacks in the last 3 games. Polumbus is the weak link on the Redskins' line. Advantage: Eagles

3. Eagles MLB DeMeco Ryans v. Redskins RB Alfred Morris: Morris is third in the league in rushing with 1,322 yards. Ryans leads the Eagles in tackles with 140, including 15 for losses. Advantage: Even

WHO'S HOT, WHO'S NOT

HOT

Eagles

DE Brandon Graham. Graham has 4 sacks, 2 knockdowns and 11 hurries in 76 pass-rush opportunities in the last 3 games.

Redskins

LB Rob Jackson. Jackson, who replaced Brian Orakpo, has 4 sacks in the last 5 games.

NOT

Eagles

S Nate Allen. The 2010 second-round pick has been benched for Sunday's game because of poor play.

Redskins

CB Josh Wilson. Has given up 6 TD passes and allowed 17.3 yards per completion.