The Eagles may play the Redskins twice a year, but Washington is a team that is constantly in flux. That's just the nature of a team with an owner like Dan Snyder, who is always tinkering — meddling if you will — looking to make the big splash or find the quick fix.
Although to Snyder's credit, he's been a little more hands off in recent years, and the benefits of that are beginning to show. Washington did make headlines with the addition of Josh Norman in the offseason. For the most part however, this is a team that's been building through the draft, which is beginning to be reflected by improvements in some key areas, notably the offensive line and even special teams.
So what will Washington have new to offer this season when the Eagles rekindle their old NFC East rivalry on Sunday?
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Kirk Cousins
Cousins came from nowhere in 2015 to lead the NFL with a 69.8 completion percentage, throwing for 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while leading Washington to 9-7 record a division title. Previously, the 2012 fourth-round draft pick was 2-7 in starts with a 59.0 completion percentage, 18 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. What changed? Well, the talent around Cousins gradually improved for one. Washington also never beat a team with a winning record last year, so there's also that. Regardless, Cousins proved he can be deadly when he gets into a rhythm, completing an astounding 80 percent of his passes in four games — all wins — and eclipsing 70 percent in four more. As long as his timing is not disrupted, he can absolutely carve up a defense, which is why Washington used the franchise tag during the offseason to sign Cousins to a one-year deal worth $18 million.
Strength: Supporting cast
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The Eagles may have caught a break this week, as Washington tight end Jordan Reed sustained a concussion and looks iffy for Sunday. That's one less weapon the defense has to worry about, but it's not as if Washington is lacking in this department. Approaching 30 years old, DeSean Jackson remains one of the most dangerous deep threats in the NFL, which opens things up for the likes of receivers Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder and even Chris Thompson coming out of the backfield. Washington's offensive line is excellent as well. Left tackle Trent Williams is the cornerstone there, although the seventh-year veteran has been limited all week in practice by a knee injury. Assuming Williams can go, it's a solid group, as significant draft capital has been invested there over the past bunch of years.
Weakness: Kirk Cousins
As mentioned, Cousins showed he can get as hot as any quarterback in the league, and he has the weapons around him to exploit most any defense. However, the fifth-year veteran's downfall has always been the turnover, and while he seemed to overcome his propensity for throwing interceptions in 2015, that fatal flaw has reared its ugly head again this season. Cousins has five picks in five games, and they have been costly. He threw two in an opening day loss to the Steelers, and another the following week in a loss to the Cowboys, then has an interception in the past two games, both wins, but by tight margins. It's all about pressure. If the heat is on, Cousins will make mistakes that can cost his team.
DEFENSE
Strength: Pressure off the edge
Washington's defense may only have 11 sacks on the season, but their front seven is much more disruptive than the numbers might suggest, and that total is still good for tied for 14th in the NFL. With 50 sacks and 18 forced fumbles in 85 career games, outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is the most underrated player in the NFC East, maybe the league. 2014 second-round draft pick Trent Murphy is coming on in his third season, already with a career high 4.5 sacks on the year. This has recipe for disaster written all over it for the Eagles, who have fifth-round rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai making his first career start on Sunday. If he doesn't get some help from a tight end or back on the outside, this has the potential to become another Winston Justice-Osi Umenyiora moment.
Weakness: Run defense
If Washington has a fatal flaw, it's their run defense. The numbers speak for themselves. The defense ranks 30th in the NFL in terms of yards per game on the ground (130.0) and dead last in yards per attempt at 5.1, the only team in the league over 5.0. Some decline in this area was not unexpected. 365-pound Terrance "Pot Roast" Knighton bolted for New England in the offseason, while Kedrick Golston landed on injured reserve. That's Washington's top-two run defenders from 2015, gone. The interior linebackers aren't exactly complementing the interior linemen either, as Will Compton and Mason Foster are just a couple of guys. Ryan Mathews better be over his fumble last week, because a run-heavy game plan could definitely expose Washington on Sunday.
X-factor: Josh Norman
What a coup it was for Washington when Josh Norman suddenly became available in free agency and the All-pro cornerback signed with the team. The organization paid the big bucks, but he's been worth it so far with eight pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble. Norman is the playmaker that secondary desperately needed, and it makes the rest of the unit is upgraded as a result. When Bashaud Breeland is covering a team's No. 2 receiver, that makes the third-year corner that much better. That also takes a lot of the pressure off of the safeties, particularly somebody like veteran Will Blackmon, who is a Band-Aid back there. Washington did lose DeAngelo Hall for the season, which hurts, but with two high-end cornerbacks on the field, it's hard for offenses to get vertical anyway. Norman is a game-changer, whether quarterbacks throw his way or not.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Washington had its first punt return for touchdown since 2008 last week, and that actually speaks to something about the team. Special teams are often a reflection of the roster's depth since it's usually staffed by reserves, so the fact that this group finally created a big play like that should not go unnoticed.
COACHING
Jay Gruden (third season, 16-21)
It appeared Gruden's tenure in D.C. might be short-lived after a 4-12 campaign in 2014, but by making a respectable quarterback out of Cousins and sneaking into a division championship in a down NFC East last year, that probably bought him a little time. He was made out to be an offensive guru and is beginning to live up to that, although again the talent pool has deepened over the past three seasons. For better or worse, Gruden's job might be tied to Cousins at this point, which could prove problematic. The duo has already gone 0 for 1 in the postseason, and with the Eagles and Cowboys seemingly having identified their quarterbacks of the future, those two teams have a chance to establish the class of the division. In other words, Gruden has his work cut out for him to make Washington a perennial contender in the East, let alone to ever guide the franchise to a championship.
