LeSean McCoy posted 189 all-purpose yards and scored a touchdown as the Eagles cruised to a 33-27 win against the Redskins in Week 1. Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com
There are so many subplots to Sunday's game for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Washington Redskins. By all standards, this is the biggest game of the season.
Not like the one that follows the Eagles bye week in Week 12 won't be just as important. In fact, that's actually what helps develop such subplots.
Here's where to begin: it's Week 11 and the Eagles are tied for first place. They are in the playoff hunt. There aren't too many people who saw this coming, so embrace that right away. There are six games remaining for the Eagles. For now, at least the first one will have serious meaning. That's certainly a step in the right direction.
Next is the quarterback. Nick Foles is back in the spotlight. Everyone will remember the last time Foles took the field at Lincoln Financial Field, also against a division rival. The Dallas Cowboys certainly had their way that Sunday.
Which brings to the forefront the next subplot: home field. Playing at Lincoln Financial Field has been anything but an advantage for the Eagles. A 10-game losing streak at home hovers over this team.
The Eagles have a chance to do quite a bit with this game. A win gives them sole possession of first place, essentially knocks the Redskins from playoff contention and puts a lot of pressure on the hard-charging New York Giants, who are catching fire despite still being two games back of the top spot in the NFC East.
Division games are nothing new for Chip Kelly. This is the fifth of six for the Eagles. But just like the Giants earlier this season, the Redskins also have tape on the Eagles. There are pros and cons to that. The key pro is easy to find: the Redskins haven't faced Foles. But they do know the offense and the style that Kelly used to beat them in Week 1.
Don't forget that the Redskins rallied back in that game to cut the lead to six.
Obviously the focus of the Eagles attention goes to Robert Griffin III. The Eagles saw a very different RG3 in Week 1.
The Eagles are also very short-handed in the secondary, making the task of covering RG3's leading receiver Pierre Garcon all the more challenging. In the backfield, Alfred Morris continues to be one of the dominant rushers this season. He is third in the NFL in rushing yards with 825 and second averaging 91.7 yards per game on the ground.
Defensively, the Redskins send Kenric Golston on the line, London Fletcher powering the linebackers and DeAngelo Hall and Brandon Meriweather in the secondary. Despite having a strong offense, a lot of the reasoning behind Washington's 3-6 record comes from the defense, which ranks 26th in passing yards allowed. Washington has allowed 30 or more points in six of its 10 games this season, including four of the last five.
Injury Report:
Eagles
- Out: S Earl Wolff (knee), LB Jake Knott (hamstring)
- Questionable: T Jason Peters (quadricep), LB Mychal Kendricks (knee), CB Bradley Fletcher (pectoral), QB Michael Vick (hamstring)
- Probable: TE Brent Celek (hip), S Patrick Chung (shoulder), DE Cedric Thornton (knee), WR Riley Cooper (knee)
- Status Unknown: LB Trent Cole (undisclosed injury)
Redskins
- Questionable: CB DeAngelo Hall (foot), S Jose Gumbs (ankle), DE Stephen Bowen (knee)
- Probable: WR Leonard Hankerson (hamstring), RB Evan Royster (back), TE Logan Paulsen (knee)
TV: FOX
Radio: 94 WIP
Sirius Satellite Radio: XM 228
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Look for his Monday Review the morning after every Eagles game. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
