Game Scout: Redskins at Eagles
Washington Redskins (3-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia - TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Erin Andrews
*Keys to the game: The Eagles ran a season-high 77 plays with 263 rushing yards in Week 1, holding off a late rally by the Redskins in a 33-27 victory. RB LeSean McCoy is hitting his stride at the right time. He gained 184 rushing yards in the opener and has averaged 138.3 total yards in his past six meetings with the Redskins. Safety play has hurt the Redskins' defense, and missed tackles have been a major issue. Eagles QB Nick Foles has 16 touchdown passes and his only turnover is one lost fumble. But he's willing to gamble, a trait shared by Redskins LCB DeAngelo Hall. Last week, one Foles touchdown to Riley Cooper was underthrown into double-coverage, but Cooper came back to the ball for a sliding catch and score. The Redskins are converting 46 percent of their third downs, but drives have crumbled in the red zone. RB Alfred Morris is averaging 112 rushing yards over the past four games. He keeps the Eagles' secondary honest, buying another count or two for QB Robert Griffin III to get the ball to WR Pierre Garcon and TE Jordan Reed. Garcon ranks fourth in the NFL with 61 catches and seventh with 803 yards.
*Matchup to watch - Eagles S Patrick Chung vs. Reed - The injury to WLB Mychal Kendricks will weaken the Eagles' ability to defend Reed, who has 27 catches in the past four games. Chung was beaten deep in coverage while with the Patriots, which made him an expendable free agent. He had lost his starting job until rookie Earl Wolff injured his knee last week.
*Player spotlight - Eagles MLB DeMeco Ryans: He leads the defense in tackles and is the unit's leader in total plays, but also gets credit from coordinator Billy Davis for leading the turnaround in recent weeks. "He's having an outstanding Pro Bowl year," Davis said. "He quarterbacks the defense - we give him a lot of leeway."
*Fast facts: Reed leads NFL rookies with 44 receptions. ... Cooper has eight receptions for 241 yards and five touchdowns in the past two games.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Nick Foles had 345 yards passing in his last start against this defense and with the Eagles finding better balance, Philadelphia starts fast to drop Washington well off the pace in the unpredictable NFC East.
*Our pick: Eagles 30-20
