Eagles-Redskins: Week 6 Preview

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Last Sunday, the Eagles certainly had a chance at a 4-0 start but watched it slip away in the final moments of the game.

Now, at 3-1, the Eagles are facing another challenge in their first divisional game of the season against the Washington Redskins, who roll into the Week 6 meeting having won three straight games.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Quarterbacks

Kirk Cousins season can best be broken down by the results. In the first two games, losses to the Steelers and Cowboys, Cousins threw one touchdown and three interceptions. In his last three games, all wins, he has six touchdown passes and just two interceptions. Cousins is clearly riding a hot streak entering Sunday's game.

Carson Wentz played a solid game overall in Detroit, but suffered his first loss as Eagles quarterback and threw his first career interception on the final play of the game. The rookie has been poised the whole way through, and will have to be again in overcoming last week's result against a division rival.

Running Backs

Through five games, the Redskins have just 432 total rushing yards as a team, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. It is not an overall strength in their game, but Matt Jones has done a nice job with the bulk of the carries.

Ryan Mathews was on his way to a solid afternoon in Detroit when a late fumble proved costly and served as the play that turned the game. The veteran running back is in need of a bounce-back game.

Wide Receivers

The Redskins leading receiver, tight end Jordan Reed, is out for Sunday's game, but there's no shortage of weapons for Kirk Cousins here. DeSean Jackson, Jamison Crowder and Pierre Garcon each have over 200 receiving yards in the first five games, showing just how much the Redskins can spread the ball around.

Last week was a missed opportunity for the Eagles, who looked to be on their way to a win, but had a few passes not hauled in on a short field after a second-half turnover by Detroit. Nelson Agholor also did not make a great play on Wentz's interception, even if the throw was a poor one. The Eagles receivers really have not put together a complete game all season. Week 6 in Washington would be a good time for one.

Defense

From a defensive standpoint, the Redskins haven't been good, ranking 27th in team defense, 21st in pass defense and 30th in run defense, but there are some key players to watch, like standout cornerback Josh Norman and linebacker Trent Murphy.

The Eagles Week 5 loss was a tale of two halves for the Eagles defense. The first half was horrendous. The second half was dominant. The Eagles defense remains among the best in the league through four games and they'll need to keep that going against a division rival.

Player to Watch

The rookie now gets his first chance against the NFC East. If it goes anything like the previous four games, the Eagles could be off to a good start playing within the division.

For as good as the Eagles defense has been, Kirk Cousins has known how to carve them up. With so many players to his disposal, this could be a big game for the Redskins veteran quarterback.

Injury Report

Game Notes

• Since 2013, the Eagles have an 11-7 record against NFC East opponents, including a 7-2 record on the road.
• The Eagles and Redskins are 5-5 in the last 10 games between the two rivals, but the Redskins have won the last three meetings.
• Since 2000, the Eagles are 11-5 in games at Washington, but have lost three of the last four games at FedExField.

Where to Watch

TV: FOX (Kenny Albert, John Lynch, Pam Oliver)
Radio: 94 Sportsradio WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)