Red-Hot Philadelphia Eagles Gets Visits From Washington Redskins

Friday, December 30, 2011

by Aengus Moorehead

Red-Hot Philadelphia Eagles Gets Visits From Washington Redskins

Analysis:
With their playoff hopes suddenly snuffed out, the Philadelphia Eagles are looking to salvage their season and a shot at a .500 record when they host the NFC East rival Washington Redskins in the season finale for both teams on Sunday. Picked by many in the preseason to reach the Super Bowl, Philadelphia was unable to recover from a disappointing 1-4 start as it lost four of its next seven games.

The Eagles, who also were without quarterback Michael Vick for several weeks due to injury, still entered last week's matchup against Dallas with a chance to repeat as division champions but were eliminated with the New York Giants' victory over the cross-town Jets. Washington, which has won two straight on the road, looks to end Philadelphia's three-game winning streak and split the season series. The Redskins were unable to overcome a 20-point deficit at home on Oct. 16 and dropped a 20-13 decision.

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan is confident with the players on the current roster and the direction his team's heading.

Practically any coach would wax poetic about their respective team even though the public's perception may be few and far between, and Washington's 5-10 record in 2011 hasn't been much to get excited over. But what may be contrary to popular belief, Shanahan still feels progress has been made this season.

As previously stated, the Redskins are 5-10 on the season and have lost nine of their last 11 games since opening with a promising 3-1 start. A few quarterback changes, a unproductive running game at times and an inconsistent defense have all led Washington to where it's at right now, while the growing pains brought on by an influx of younger talent and turnovers have also hampered production. The Redskins' 33 giveaways are third in the league behind only Philadelphia and Tampa Bay.

Quarterback Rex Grossman has thrown 19 interceptions to 15 touchdown passes in 2011. He will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason after signing a one- year deal with the team last August. Shanahan said everyone on the roster will be evaluated and added that players will lose their jobs if they're not consistent enough to help the team win.

Grossman's 2011 campaign has been plagued by inconsistency, and his future with the Burgundy and Gold remains in doubt. He passed for 284 yards with two touchdowns in last Saturday's 33-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Redskins' home season finale, but was also intercepted once.

That was a tough loss for a Redskins team coming off a huge road win against the New York Giants, and its recent defeats to New England and the Vikings have come by only seven points each.

Washington, which has won its last two road games, collected its 10th loss for a third straight season and sixth in nine years with the setback to Minnesota. The Redskins will miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and 10th in their last 12 tries as well.

For the Eagles, there's no telling what might have been for a team that garnered more hype in the preseason than a heavyweight title fight during boxing's glory days.

Instead of laying the wood to opposing teams, however, the group given the moniker as the "Dream Team" has hit the canvas more times than expected and has a 7-8 record to show for it. Blown leads, turnovers, the early struggles of a defense directed for the first time by former offensive line coach Juan Castillo and a lack of continuity sum up some of the problems Philadelphia encountered this season.

Philadelphia is riding a three-game winning streak since losing eight times in an 11-game span earlier in the season, however, and had a chance to remain alive in the postseason race but didn't get the help it needed last week. The job status of head coach Andy Reid still appears to be secure because of all of the success he's endured in his time with the Eagles, and his team can finish with a .500 record or better for a sixth straight season with a win on Sunday.

The Eagles, who recently handed Dallas a 20-7 loss on Christmas Eve, are out of the playoff picture for the first time since 2007, when they last finished with an 8-8 record. They have the momentum on their side in this matchup after beating the Redskins by a 20-13 score on the road back on Oct. 16. It was their second straight victory in the series.

The Redskins hold a 78-69-5 lead in their all-time series with the Eagles, but Philadelphia has won four of the five most recent meetings between the teams after its mid-October triumph at FedEx Field. Washington has left with a victory in Philadelphia in three of the last four seasons, however, and earned a 17-12 decision at Lincoln Financial Field last year in a game which marked the return of then-Redskins quarterback and longtime Eagle Donovan McNabb to the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia posted a home-and-home sweep of Washington in 2009, which included a 27-24 win at the Linc.

In addition to their regular-season advantage, the Redskins won their only postseason clash with Philadelphia, a 20-6 road verdict in a 1990 NFC First- Round Playoff.

Reid is 16-9 versus the Redskins since taking over in 1999. Shanahan is 3-3 lifetime against Philadelphia, with the first two wins and the initial loss coming during his 14-year reign with the Denver Broncos from 1995-2008. Shanahan is 2-2 against Reid head-to-head, having also bested the Eagles by a 49-21 count in Denver back in 2005, but has lost two of three bouts against Philly since being placed in charge of the Redskins prior to last season.

Time & Venue:
- 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 1, 2012. Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Last Week's results:
- Washington Redskins (-6.5) loses to visiting Minnesota Vikings 33-26.
- Philadelphia Eagles (+1) beats host Dallas Cowboys 20-7.

Last week's ATS:
- Favourite Washington Redskins (5-10) loses outright
- Underdog Philadelphia Eagles (7-8) wins outright.

NFL Football Odds: Eagles -9, O/U 45.5.

Playoff Picture:
- Washington Redskins: Eliminated (week 14)
- Philadelphia Eagles: Eliminated (week 16)

Washington has lost four of its last five meetings with the Eagles, with the only victory in that span coming in Philadelphia last season. Receiver Jabar Gaffney is 81 yards shy of his first career 1,000-yard campaign. Kicker Graham Gano is three field goals away from tying Mark Moseley's single-season team record of 33 set in 1983. Gano booted his fourth field goal of 50 or more yards this season in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, matching the club mark held by Moseley (1977) and John Hall (2003).


Running back LeSean McCoy is likely to play after suffering a sprained ankle in last week's dominant win over Dallas. McCoy leads the NFC in rushing with a career-high 1,309 yards and tops the NFL with a franchise-record 20 touchdowns. He needs 27 carries to become the first Eagle since Duce Staley in 1999 with 300 attempts. Vick threw three or more touchdown passes three times in 2010.

He has yet to accomplish the feat this year. Vick has been interception-free in just three of his 12 games this season. Defensive end Jason Babin is tied for second in the league with a career-high 18 sacks, including eight in his last four contests. Minnesota's Jared Allen has 18 1/2.

Grossman could be playing for his job next season for the Redskins, who may address the position in the draft or via free agency. The franchise hasn't enjoyed comfort at the quarterback spot for quite some time, as neither Grossman and backup John Beck failed to solidify the position, but will need effective play under center to come out on top this week.

Will this be the final game for WR DeSean Jackson in an Eagles uniform? That remains do be seen, but if the speedster can stretch the field and loosen up the Washington defense, that should enhance Philadelphia's chances of continuing its winning streak.

No team wants to finish with a losing record, and Philadelphia will likely try hard to break even at 8-8 with a win over the rival Redskins. Washington is also playing for pride and would like nothing more to ring in the new year with a positive result.

The Eagles own a 16-9 record against the Redskins under coach Andy Reid.

Philadelphia safety Kurt Coleman, who intercepted Rex Grossman three times in the first meeting this season, was placed on injured reserve this week with a biceps injury.

Grossman, who needs 105 passing yards to reach 3,000 for the second time in his career, is tied for the league lead with 19 interceptions.

Philadelphia is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
Philadelphia is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Washington's last 16 games when playing Philadelphia
Washington is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games
Washington is 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 games

The City of Brotherly Love will be action-packed on New Year's Day with the annual Mummers Parade and the town's beloved Eagles taking on the rival Redskins in the season finale for both teams.

There's only draft positioning at stake in this one, but the Eagles would like to finish with a .500 record by sweeping the season series from Washington. Vick, Pro-Bowl running back McCoy and the Hawaii-bound Babin are three players to watch this weekend in what could be an easy victory for the Eagles.

Washington is still picking up the pieces from a disastrous breakdown after a 3-1 start and will likely head home with more questions than answers.

Bet on NFL Football games with Bovada Sportsbook, Click here!

NFL Football Pick: Take Eagles.

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andy reid - dallas cowboys - desean jackson - donovan mcnabb - fedex field - graham gano - jabar gaffney - jared allen - jason babin - john beck

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