Eagles vs. Redskins: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

The Philadelphia Eagles find themselves with an opportunity to get back in the playoff discussion thanks to an NFC East showdown with Washington this Saturday. 

Chip Kelly's Eagles have lost two in a row thanks to back-to-back encounters with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. At face value, though, a matchup with 3-11 Washington is a way to turn things around.

Just do not tell that to coach Jay Gruden, whose team took the Eagles to the brink back in a Week 3, 37-34 decision that favored the Eagles.

Few better ways to spend a holiday Saturday exist than catching a clash between NFC East rivals with NFC-wide playoff implications swinging in the balance.

Returns Under Center

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Things have come full circle in Washington, as Gruden will now turn to Robert Griffin III under center to get the job done against Philadelphia.

The team confirmed the news on Twitter:

Griffin saw time in last week's loss to the New York Giants after an injury to Colt McCoy. He made the most of his opportunity, too. The QB threw for 236 yards and a score and rushed for another 46 yards while being sacked seven times.

“I haven’t played very many games this year,” Griffin said, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post. “My goal is to always go out there and be the guy, and that’s my only focus. So, I’m not really worried about anything else.”

The Baylor product finds himself in a great position at home to prove he once again deserves a starting gig in the league. Philadelphia's defense ranks 28th this year and just last week allowed Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys to throw for 265 yards and three scores.

In the first meet between these two teams, then-Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 427 yards and three scores to one pick.

Things are not perfect for the Eagles under center, either. Mark Sanchez continues to experience difficulties in Kelly's scheme, as 1,752 yards and 10 touchdowns to nine interceptions shows. His outing last week in the loss to Dallas was torrid, as he threw for 252 yards and a pair of interceptions.

The task is no easier this week. Washington ranks 17th against the pass. If LeSean McCoy cannot get going on the ground against a top-10 rush defense (he rushed 19 times for 22 yards against the same unit earlier this year), even more pressure than usual will be forced on Sanchez.

While not the quarterback duel most expected, the position will still decide Saturday's encounter outright.

Playoff Rush

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Philadelphia finds itself on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs at this point. Dallas now sits at 10-4 and has a hold on the NFC East, while the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers already rest at the 10-win mark to take the final two slots.

For the Eagles to sneak into the playoffs, their stellar rush needs to hit home at a consistent pace over the course of the next two weeks.

One problem—veteran rusher Trent Cole will miss Saturday's game, as the Eagles illustrate on Twitter:

The Eagles have a sound 47.0 sacks on the year, and Cole is a big part of that with his 6.5. However, while the totals are impressive, the rush did not get to Cousins for any sacks back in Week 3.

Over at Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Washington ranks as the 11th-best offensive line in terms of pass blocking.

If the Eagles are to complete the season sweep and stay alive in the playoff race, the rush will need to find home while shorthanded. 

When: Saturday, December 20, 4:30 p.m. ET

Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

Watch: NFL Network

Betting Info: (via Odds Shark)

• Over/Under: 50.5
• Spread: Philadelphia (-9)

Team Injury Reports

Player	Position	Status
Trent Cole	LB	Out
Nick Foles	QB	Out

Player	Position	Status
Alfred Morris	RB	Questionable
Colt McCoy	QB	Out

Injury info will be updated once released, via ESPN.com.

Prediction

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

This is far from the same Washington team that took Philadelphia to the brink earlier this year.

Hope is gone now. Gruden and Co. are losers of six straight, including a 24-0 decision two weeks ago and a 24-13 loss last week. Sanchez is far from perfect right now, but even he will be able to lead the Eagles to more than 24 points against a defense that seems to have thrown in the towel. 

Look for the Eagles to pull ahead by the end of the third quarter and never look back. Sanchez will throw a couple of touchdown passes and then allow McCoy to ride out the clock in comfortable fashion. 

This leaves the Eagles alive, while Washington inches closer toward a top pick in the 2015 NFL draft. 

Prediction: Eagles 38, Washington 28

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).