The Eagles suffered their first loss of the season last week in Detroit, a bad one, too.
This week, they'll have a chance at redemption in their first divisional game, and it's an important one as well.
The Eagles kick off against Washington at FedEx Field on Sunday at 1 p.m., so it's time for our (cough) experts' predictions for the Week 6 matchup.
Reuben Frank (2-2)
The Redskins are allowing nearly 400 yards per game, and they’ve got the 30th-ranked rush defense in the league and 21st-ranked passing defense. I know Kirk Cousins owns the Eagles, but this is a different team, different scheme, different coach, different players. Doug Pederson hinted during the week that Kenjon Barner and Wendell Smallwood will actually be a part of the running game this week, and if that’s the case and the Eagles are able to move the ball with authority on the ground, I think an awful lot is going to be open for Carson Wentz in the air. This is a battered Redskins’ secondary, and Josh Norman can’t cover everybody. I also see the Eagles’ defense getting back to the consistent 60-minute level of play they were at before the Lions game. So I’ve got the Eagles winning at FedEx Field for the first time since the 2013 opener, which was Michael Vick’s last complete-game win in an Eagles uniform.
Eagles 30, Redskins 20
Dave Zangaro (2-2)
This game will tell us what the Eagles are really made of.
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Coming off a really bad loss to the Lions last week, the Eagles have their first division game against Washington.
Neither team is completely whole. The Eagles are without Lane Johnson for the next 10 weeks and Leodis McKelvin is dealing with a lingering hamstring injury. But Washington isn't healthy either. In fact, it's more banged up, with Jordan Reed's concussion and its top two corners might be hampered by injuries.
This was a tough one for me. I went back and forth a few times. in the end, I just picked what I think is the better team.
Eagles 27, Redskins 23
Derrick Gunn (2-2)
The Eagles head into their first divisional game of the season against a Washington squad that has put together a three-game win streak. The Redskins have also had the Eagles' number as of late, winning the last three meetings.
In 2015, Kirk Cousins played some of his best football against the Birds. In two meetings, Cousins completed 67 percent of his passes and threw for five touchdowns and no interceptions. A Jim Schwartz-coached defense that has 14 sacks — tied for fifth in the league — will have to get after Cousins, who probably won't have tight end Jordan Reed because of a concussion.
Carson Wentz should find success through the air against a 'Skins' pass defense that is ranked 21st in the NFL. Cousins without Reed is just not enough.
Eagles 27, Redskins 24
Ray Didinger (2-2)
I don't like to use the term "must game" especially in October, but let's just say this is a really, really, really big game for the Eagles. It is their first NFC East game and it is in Washington, where they have lost three of their last four. It won't be easy because the Redskins are on a bit of a roll — they have won three in a row — and the Eagles will be asking an unproven rookie, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, to block some formidable edge rushers in Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy.
The Eagles saw a game they should have won slip through their fingers last week and if they lose in Washington the road gets real treacherous with games against Minnesota, Dallas, the Giants, Atlanta, Seattle, Green Bay and Cincinnati all in a row. That 3-0 start could be a faint memory if they aren't careful so that makes this an important game for the Eagles. They came out flat in Detroit but I don't see them making that mistake two weeks in a row. The loss of Jordan Reed is a huge blow for Washington.
Eagles 24, Redskins 21
Andrew Kulp (2-2)
After last week, now we all have to wonder which Eagles defense will show up. If the front four doesn't get pressure on Kirk Cousins, he will carve that secondary up, with or without Jordan Reed. Offensively, the Eagles have not been stellar in the red zone, predictable with a rookie quarterback at the helm, but that presents some challenges when Wentz isn't being gifted numerous possessions and great field position.
Ultimately, the Eagles do just enough to make Cousins uncomfortable, while the offense should be able to control the clock with their ground attack against a weak run D. It could be close and maybe even ugly, but it's a win.
Eagles 20, Redskins 16
Corey Seidman (2-2)
If Reed was playing this game I'd pick the Redskins. But it appears he's not, and I liked what I saw from the Eagles in the second half last week enough to feel confident they'll rebound this Sunday.
This game has a ton of importance even though it's just Week 6. The Cowboys and Redskins both appear capable of winning 10-plus games, so to make the playoffs the Eagles are going to need go at least 2-2 in those four head-to-heads. With the next two weeks coming against Minnesota and at Dallas, the Eagles need to avoid a potential tailspin.
I think Wentz can do enough against this defense, and that this game will come down to how well the Eagles' cornerbacks play against the 'Skins' trio of skilled wide receivers.
Eagles 24, Redskins 20
Andy Schwartz (1-3)
The Eagles’ bye week lasted 30 minutes longer than it should have.
That 30 minutes — and their first two turnovers of the season — led to their first loss of the season. And second straight to the Detroit Lions. Which was worse, last year’s loss or this year’s?
Tough call.
Just like this game.
Without Lane Johnson, the Eagles must give Halapoulivaati Vaitai some help, specifically against Ryan Kerrigan, or we could get Winston Justice-Osi Umenyiora flashbacks.
They will.
And the defense will play like it did in the second half last week and benefit from the absence of Redskins TE Jordan Reed, who is likely out with a concussion, and an inconsistent Kirk Cousins.
Eagles 27, Redskins 20
