Eagles Vs. Redskins: 10 Bold Predictions for Monday Night Football Showdown

Eagles vs. Redskins: For the second time this season, it's the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Washington Redskins, Michael Vick vs. Donovan McNabb.

Only this time hopefully we'll see Vick play the entire game.

The controversial quarterback left the first meeting between these two teams with a rib injury that sidelined him for a big chunk of the season.

But after a solid performance last week, it looks like Vick will be at full force for this huge NFC East showdown between the 4-4 Redskins and the 5-3 Eagles.

Both teams are looking to take a step forward in the divisional race after the New York Giants suffered a disappointing loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday to fall to 6-3.

So what will happen when these divisional rivals meet in Washington?

Here are 10 bold predictions for Monday Night Football.

10. McNabb Will Rebound from the Benching

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins throws a pass against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

I'm still not convinced that the Redskins offense is built to succeed, but Donovan McNabb will find a way to respond from the benching against Detroit a couple of weeks ago.

The last time McNabb was removed from a game—in 2008 during a 36-7 shellacking by the Baltimore Ravens—he rebounded with an incredible performance, throwing for 260 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions against the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona played in the Super Bowl that year, so it's not like McNabb was doing it against some NFL cellar dweller.

And I think McNabb will bounce back nicely from the benching, though I'm not expecting a game like that.

9. Less Than 100 Yards Rushing for Washington

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 27: Keiland Williams #35 of the Washington Redskins runs against the New York Jets during their preseason game on August 27, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Image

In the Week 4 meeting between these two teams, the Redskins rushing attack bulldozed its way through the Eagles defense on its way to a 169-yard performance.

But since then Philadelphia has yet to give up 100 yards on the ground in a single game, and Washington enters tonight's contest with a banged-up backfield.

Eagles left defensive end Juqua Parker has played very well against the run since being inserted into the starting lineup, and that should continue against a hobbled Jammal Brown (or Stephen Hoyer if Brown doesn't play).

With a few of its running backs on the sidelines and an injured right tackle, it could be a long day for Washington's running game.

8. The Bye Week Won't Matter

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins takes the snap against the Chicago Bears as teammates Kory Lichtensteiger #78 and Trent Williams #71 prepare to block at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskin

I always hear all this talk about how teams perform better when coming off a bye week.

Apparently that rule doesn't apply to the the Redskins, though.

Washington has lost the game following a bye week in two straight seasons, so let's set aside the notion that teams come out and perform better just because they have an extra seven days of rest.

7. Two Sacks For Brian Orakpo

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Brian Orakpo #98 of the Washington Redskins on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Yeah, I know. Michael Vick escapes pressure better than any quarterback in the league.

But Washington's Brian Orakpo is a man-child who registered five sacks over a three-game stretch from Weeks 5 through 7.

Over that span he had two two-sack games, and those came against Green Bay and Chicago, which do have offensive line issues but also have two of the the league's more mobile quarterbacks.

I'd expect Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett to let Orakpo apply the pressure to try to prevent Vick from escaping the pocket whenever things break down.

6. DeAngelo Hall Will Snap Vick's Streak

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washingon Redskins intercepts the pass during the second quarter as Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions atempts to defend during the game at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by

Michael Vick hasn't thrown an interception all season while DeAngelo Hall has at least one interception in each of Washington's last two games, including that four-pick performance against the Bears in Week 7.

Something has to give, right?

Well, Vick will certainly not stay perfect the entire season. He'll slip up this week against DeAngelo Hall, who will get his seventh interception of the season.

5. The Redskins Won't Score More Than 17 Points

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DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washigton Redkins warms up prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

The Redskins certainly aren't going to win any awards for having the most dangerous offense in the NFL, and naturally I'm not expecting a ton of points from Donovan McNabb and company this week.

Washington averages just 19.4 points per game and has been held to 17 points or less in five of eight games this season.

They'll add a sixth game to that list because the 11th-ranked Philadelphia defense will step up with a huge performance tonight and allow no more than 16 points.

4. LeSean McCoy Won't Top 75 Rushing Yards

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac

LeSean McCoy gets a lot of credit for what he does in the Eagles offense, but his numbers don't really live up to the hype.

McCoy has just one 100-yard rushing performance on the season and has only three games with more than 64 yards rushing.

Washington's defense isn't great against the run—ranking 18th at 112.5 yards per game—but it's good enough to keep McCoy from having a big day on the ground.

With Michael Vick being able to throw on the Redskins secondary, I wouldn't expect McCoy to get more than 15 carries or so.

3. Three Plays of 30-Plus Yards For The Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a first down against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated t

The Redskins have played just one game in 2010 without allowing at least one play of 30 yards or more.

Needless to say, the Eagles have a stacked group of playmakers on offense—including Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin—that shouldn't have a problem busting big plays tonight.

I'll take this a step further, though, and say that Philadelphia will have not one, not two, but three 30-yard plays against a defense that has been torched all season.

2. Michael Vick Will Throw for 300 Yards and at Least Two Touchdowns

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/

When's the last time Michael Vick passed for 300 yards in a game?

Hell, I have no idea. 

But Vick did have games of 284 yards and 291 yards in Weeks 2 and 3 before leaving that Week 4 game with a rib injury.

And the Eagles will be facing a terrible Washington pass defense that ranks 31st in the league, allowing 280.9 passing yards per game and 14 touchdowns through the air on the season.

Vick should have no trouble lighting up that defense up on his way to a 300-yard game in which he throws at least two touchdowns.

1. The Eagles Will Win by 14 Points Or More

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim M

Philadelphia's offensive is loaded, its defense is playing well against the run and it is an all-around more talented team than Washington.

The Redskins have a banged-up backfield, no real threat in the passing game and a secondary that gets shredded weekly.

Plus, Philadelphia has won eight of their last 10 games at FedEx Field.

The Eagles roll, 31-17.