Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins: Prediction, preview, pick to win

Philadelphia Eagles (3-1) vs. Washington Redskins (3-2)

KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FedExField, Landover, Md. TV: FOX, Kenny Albert, John Lynch, Pam Oliver.

SERIES HISTORY: 162nd meeting. Redskins lead series, 83-73-5. Washington swept the Eagles last season, including a win that clinched the NFC East title Dec. 26 in Philadelphia.

GAMEDATE: 10/16/16

KEYS TO THE GAME: The Eagles are averaging the fifth most rushing attempts in the league (29.1 per game). But they are expected to lean on the run even more Sunday with a rookie -- Halapoulivaati Vaitai -- making his first start at right tackle. The Eagles want to stay balanced offensively and not let the Redskins' pass rushers, primarily Ryan Kerrigan, tee off on Vaitai.

Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has received the majority of the attention for the Eagles. And with good reason. Washington must be ready for a mobile player who can make things happen on the run. That's not been its strong suit in recent years.

But the Redskins might also want to take a look at that revamped Philadelphia defense. The Eagles rank second in points allowed, fourth in third-down percentage and eighth in yards per play. They have been equally good against the run and the pass and did something Washington could not: Stop Pittsburgh's powerful offense; Philadelphia beat the Steelers 34-3 at home. Pittsburgh won at FedEx Field 38-16.

The Redskins wll be without one of their top offensive players, tight end Jordan Reed (concussion).

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Eagles DT Fletcher Cox vs. Washington RG Brandon Scherff. Cox has a team-high four sacks and a forced fumble. He had two sacks in the last meeting. Scherff, the No. 5 pick in the 2015 draft, is off to a solid start in his second season.

--Eagles WR Jordan Matthews vs. Redskins CB Josh Norman. Matthews has six catches greater than 20 yards and two touchdown receptions. Norman needed a shot in his wrist to return to last week's game vs. Baltimore.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: CB Ron Brooks will have one of his toughest assignments of the season. The Redskins' Jamison Crowder is one of the league's better slot receivers. He had 59 catches last season and already has 21 this year. Brooks and the Eagles' defense have given up just three touchdown passes this season.

INJURY UPDATE: Redskins tight end Jordan Reed and safety Su'a Cravens were downgraded to out by the team for Sunday's game.

Reed, the Redskins' leading receiver, has been dealing with a concussion since Tuesday, when he reported issues to the team.

Washington ruled out rookie receiver Josh Doctson (Achilles) on the Friday injury report. Cornerback Bashaud Breeland (ankle) and Dashaun Phillips (hamstring) were listed as questionable.

FAST FACTS: Washington QB Kirk Cousins threw for 365 yards and four TDs in a 38-24 win over the Eagles in December. TE Jordan Reed caught nine passes for 129 yards and two TDs. Cousins is averaging 360.7 yards per game, with eight TDs and one interception, in three meetings. ... Redskins WR Pierre Garcon caught a TD pass last week and is looking for his third straight game with a TD vs. Philadelphia. ... Eagles QB Carson Wentz has been very efficient, with a passer rating of at least 100 in three of his four games. He threw for 238 yards and two TDs last week. ... Eagles WR Jordan Matthews caught six passes for 104 yards and a TD in the last meeting.

PREDICTION: Cox and the Eagles' defense have been backing Wentz's steady play, which could help overcome Cousins and company, especially since Reed is out.

OUR PICK: Eagles, 24-20.

--Chris Cluff