Game 5: Redskins (3-1) at Eagles (2-2)

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Out of the box: the rivalry continues, the Redskins and Eagles get together for the 148th time, the first for rookie Redskins head coach Jim Zorn and the 18th trip in the past 19 Washington-Philadelphia matchups for me and my good buddy lifetime Eagles fan, season ticket holder and Curly R reader/lurker Wilbert Montgomery. The Redskins come into Eagles Stadium on a three game win streak while this time the Eagles are the ones trying to keep pace.

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The story so far: the Redskins seem to be building, the signs are there that Washington's success so far this season is really based on solid veteran play, growth by young players, surprising performance by key rookies and good coaching. No offensive turnovers (op. cit.) and a serious commitment by the defense to prepare (ibid.). The result is a 3-1 record and now a thing that looked so hard, opening with all three division road games in the first five games, is within reach of becoming an advantage.

It seems unlikely that even a poor performance today will expose this team or hurt their confidence.

For the Eagles, after blowing out of the gate scoring 75 points in the first two games and still coming up 1-1 the Eagles have struggled with injuries and performance and at 2-2 are currently in last place in the NFC Beast.

But this is the Eagles, this is a home game and that makes them very dangerous, the Eagles have dominated the Redskins over the past decade, winning 12 of the last 18 games against Washington, though 3-3 in the last three seasons.

For better or for worse the Redskins division road schedule ends after today.

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Curly R aside: I know it is a short season, or more accurately a long season in a short time, still it is amusing to see the Redskins shoot to number one in the league by at least two measures and to see sudden heroic accounts of leadership. Let us agree to restraint and see what happens today against the Eagles ok?

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Oppo research: Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and tailback Brian Westbrook are playing injured, Dono with a chest contusion and Brian with an ankle injury suffered in week three.

In the first three games this season Brian Westbrook scored five touchdowns, when he went out the team did not score another touchdown in that game and then Philadelphia lost in week four against the Bears, a game featuring a very Joe Gibbs II like series of plays in which the Eagles had a fourth quarter first and goal on the four to take the lead and then could not get into the end zone on four consecutive handoffs, including three from the one yard line. Clearly that team misses Brian, he accounts for 40% of the Eagles offense.

The story does not end there, the Eagles currently are tops in the conference in rushing defense and third in passing defense, the Eagles currently lead the league in sacks, this will be another serious test of the Redskins offense and offensive line.

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Trainer's table: defensive end Jason Taylor is still out after his compartment syndrome surgery. Right tackle Stephon Heyer did not play regular downs last week and hurt his shoulder on a field goal play, he is unlikely to play (op. cit.), with Stephon out demoted RT Jon Jansen will start for the second consecutive game, he has been better at run blocking than pass blocking. Linebacker Marcus Washington is still struggling with a hamstring and may see limited action (ibid.).

Cornerback Shawn Springs did not practice all week with a calf injury, the team says he could play, my guess is Shawn will sit. Malcolm Kelly continues to be a fucking injury disappointment (ibid., also ibid.).

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Gameplan: as in game two on Monday night last season the key on defense for the Redskins will be to get to Dono, in that game last year Washington's defense sacked Dono three times and forced him to throw it 46 times. Clearly putting Dono in a box and making him win the game with his body will be the plan. Expect Shawn Springs to shadow Reggie Brown and sudden film junkie (ibid.) Carlos Rogers to stick to DeSean Jackson all day (op. cit.), DeSean is the more explosive player right now so Carlos needs to have a great day, or at least work to make DeSean unspectacular, the entire secondary is playing well and with no star receiver for the Eagles receivers could have problems, might it be possible for NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month (op. cit.) seventh round pick strong safety Chris Horton get another interception?

A big part of that strategy will be limiting the Eagles' ground game. It looks like Brian Westbrook is going to go today, Wilbert Montgomery says that if Brian is playing that means he is 90%, and that it may be headgames big brother Brian is playing with little brother Byron.

On offense Jim Zorn has shown a tendency to play against type just enough to keep the opposing defense off guard, a factor good for one to two plays in crucial situations, with Jon Jansen in the game expect the run game to go left middle and right. Santana Moss is back on a Pro Bowl pace and if he can continue to be open all over the field for Jason Campbell, it will be easier for everybody else to get open.

Washington is going to try and have some fun. The Eagles will be working.

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My take in 60 words or less: if Jason Campbell is really getting it on offense, if he and Jim Zorn are really on the same page, then the Redskins should be ok today. We all know a stumble, even maybe a stinker is due sometime this season, maybe tomorrow, maybe not. One thing for sure, these Redskins are coming of age quickly among their NFC peers.

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Washington Post / AP preview, Gameday (PDF), keys to the game, the Zorn Zone, combined injury report for both teams, Redskins roster, projected starters; Eagles roster, projected starters; broadcast coverage. New York Times: In the NFC Beast There Are No Weeks Off. Washington Times consoliated pregame capsule. DC Examiner three things we know about the Eagles, and keys to the game / key matchups.

Other previews: Lee Gibbons' ever helpful gameday FYI, for example did you know the Brian Westbrook is one of only seven players in NFL history with 25 or more rushing and receiving touchdowns? Neither did I. Mark Newgent at Redskins Examiner has an ominous early preview, the sitrep and an exchange with Giants Examiner. Over at Hog Heaven Tony Brown writes how the Redskins will beat the Eagles while Greg Trippiedi has ten reasons why the Redskins will beat the Eagles. Rich Tandler's prediction is Eagles working, Redskins having fun, Rich also will be liveblogging the game. David Warner at Riggo's Rag has predictions, he had the Redskins losing a tight game, not far from my noncommittal predictions. Sportz Assassin at Redskins AOL Fanhouse has a preview exchange with Blogger Deathsport's own Derek at Iggles Blog. Will has a gameday open thread at Hogs Haven.


Have fun without me, I'll be at the game.


This is a gameday open thread.