Eagles-Redskins: Skins Try to Play Spoiler on Sunday

Eagles fans, are the memories rushing back? Are you having flashbacks to the 2006 season that saw the Eagles, left for dead, mired in the playoff standings, almost Rocky-like rise up and reel off five straight wins to squeak into the playoffs?

And Redskins fans, what happened? Six weeks ago everybody was praising your 'Skins as the surprise team of 2008. Since then, the 'Skins have lost five of their six games, to slide out of the playoff race and into the cellar of the NFC East.

Sunday presents a very intriguing matchup in the NFC East.

Washington will host the Eagles at 4:15 PM at FedEx Field this Sunday. By the end of the game, we will know two things, whether the Eagles will still be in the NFC Playoff race and if the Redskins late season slide was just bad luck.

Philly (8-5-1) enters Sunday's battle riding a three-game winning streak that has been led by the resurgent Donovan McNabb and a fierce defense. The Eagles will once again be in a must-win situation, as the slightest slip will knock the Eagles out of the race.

Washington (7-7) hopes to play spoiler this Sunday after an embarrassing 20-13 loss to the hapless Bengals on Sunday. Jim Zorn criticized himself following the loss by saying, "I just feel like the worst coach in the America."

Well, let's get this breakdown underway, shall we?

The Redskins offense has taken a total nosedive in their current skid and things don't look to get any better this Sunday against the dangerous and aggressive Eagles defense.

Jason Campbell has struggled since getting off to that hot start in the first half of the season. In the last six games, Campbell has thrown six interceptions and just four touchdowns (He didn't throw his first interception until week 10 vs. Pittsburgh).

While Campbell's struggles are apparent, his offensive line has really struggled keeping him on his feet. They've allowed 18 sacks over the past six weeks. They've really struggled with injuries lately as well. Pro Bowl tackle Chris Samuels was lost for the season and fellow linemen Jon Jansen and Pete Kendall have been bothered by injury for the past couple of weeks.

Clinton Portis continues to be the Redskins catalyst on offense this season. Hampered by injury for most of the season, Portis has rushed for 1337 yards and 7 touchdowns. The last time Portis saw the Eagles defense, he ran wild for 145 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries.

The Redskin receivers have taken a bit of a drop off lately. Santana Moss leads the group in yards and touchdowns with 948 and six. Chris Cooley has gone under the radar lately but is still very effective. Cooley lit up the Eagles secondary in week five for 109 yards on eight receptions including his only touchdown of the season.

Here are the Redskins offensive keys to victory on Sunday:

1) Pass with Success—The way the Eagles defense has played against the run lately, Campbell will need to have a great performance.

2) Keep QB Clean—Philly's pass rush has lacked the sacks over the past few weeks, but they always have a hand in the face or are deflecting balls at the line. The o-line will need to keep Jason Campbell's face clean and keep him upright.

3) Find Consistency—Washington has struggled to get in a rhythm lately and will need to get some consistency moving the ball if they are to win.

4 Get Portis going early—Portis has had a lot of success against the Eagles in his career but has really struggled over the past three weeks; he will need to move the chains early on and wear down the Eagles defense.

5) Control the Clock—Clock control is key against any defense. The longer they're on the field, the worse they play.

On defense, Washington has remained strong throughout the season. Led by their strong pass coverage, the Redskins have been tough to score on.

The rush defense has been spotty for the 'Skins at times thus far but has been tough for the most part. That defense could be without London Fletcher on Sunday, which will be a huge blow. Fletcher has been the leader of the Washington front seven thus far with 118 total tackles.

The pass defense of Washington, as I already pointed out, is their strong point. Their young talented secondary is arguably one of the best in football. Safeties Laron Landry and Chris Horton provided solid cornerstones for the defense to build on. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall has added depth to an already strong group of corners. Fred Smoot, Carlos Rogers and Shawn Springs are all experienced yet very talented corners.

Here are the Redskins defensive keys to victory:

1) Keep Westbrook Down—Westbrook has been a catalyst over the past month for the Eagles. If Washington keeps him in check, things will be even tougher on McNabb.

2) Don't Let McNabb Get in a Rhythm—When McNabb gets hot early, things get ugly on defense. Bat his passes down.

3) Pressure McNabb—Donovan is most effective when his big line gives him time, don't let that happen.

4) Shut Down DeSean Jackson—Jackson has been an X-factor thus far for the Eagles and is on pace for 1,000 yards, when he is making catches early, it gets the other WR's involved.

5) Be Quick Off the Ball—Philly's offensive line has been able to control the ball game over the past three weeks. Washington needs to beat them off the ball and penetrate the backfield.

Now let's get to the Eagles.

Philly's clicking on all cylinders right now and will need another strong performance on both sides of the ball this Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive.

On offense, Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook have stepped up over the past three games and have led the charge for the now alive Eagles.

McNabb has gotten on another hot streak following his benching in Baltimore, throwing seven touchdowns and just one interception over the past three games. His legs have found themselves once again and has added a lost dimension to his game over this three-game stretch.

Following two disappointing performances against the Bengals and Ravens, the Eagles offensive line has been dominant. Veteran tackles Jon Runyan and William Thomas have stepped their games up lately, along with Todd Herremans and Jamal Jackson. Nick Cole has adequately filled in for Max Jean-Gilles, who was filling in for All-Pro Shawn Andrews. The unit has controlled the past three games, which have been key in the victories.

Finally, Brian Westbrook is back. Westbrook has gone for over 100-yards in two of the Eagles past three wins. He struggled rushing against Cleveland but the little things he did like blocking and receiving made him effective. Correll Buckhalter has been a very good spell for Westbrook throughout the year and has been great when given the chance to start. Kyle Eckle has been a good short yardage back over the past three games, something they've lacked for the past few years.

Philly's receivers have been either very good or very bad this season. It's either catch everything thrown your way or drop it. Rookie DeSean Jackson leads the group in catches (58) and yards (852) to go along with his two touchdowns. Hank Baskett and Jason Avant have had strong seasons as well. Avant registered his first 100-yard performance on Monday Night against Cleveland.

Here are the Eagles offensive keys to victory on Sunday:

1) Stay with the Balanced Attack—Ever since the Eagles started using this balanced attack, the offense is back to being dangerous.

2) Get Westbrook Going Early—When you get No. 36 rolling early in the game, opportunities open up across the field.

3) Control the Clock—Clock domination has played a key roll in the Eagles resurgence. Keep that clock rolling and keep the defense of the field.

4) McNabb Stay Rolling—No. 5 is absolutely on fire right now. He's taken this team on his back and is carrying it towards a playoff birth. His dominance will need to keep going this Sunday at FedEx.

5) Just Win Baby—All that matters is the W at this point.

On defense, the Eagles have dominated the past three games. Led by a punishing rush defense that will be under fire again this Sunday by Clinton Portis.

Philly's front seven has been strong against the run throughout the year with a few hiccups along the way. But over the past three weeks, Stewart Bradley, Trent Cole, and company have held ground attacks to under 90 yards.

Philadelphia's sack totals have dipped lately, but they've been relentless in putting pressure on the quarterback.

The Eagles pass defense has been very strong throughout the season and is playing lights out right now. Both Asante Samuel and Brian Dawkins were named to the Pro Bowl this week, but all four starters in the secondary could've made that team.

The other two members, Quintin Mikell and Sheldon Brown have been flying under the radar this season. Mikell, who had a breakout season in 2007 is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season in '08.

When you're a cornerback, it's best that your name is rarely spoken. That's been the case for Sheldon Brown throughout his career.

Brown has been very strong in coverage through the years, but he just isn't that flashy big play corner that people often elect to the Pro Bowl.

Here are the Eagles defensive keys to victory on Sunday:

1) Keep Forcing Turnovers—Over this three game win streak, the Eagles have forced eight total turnovers (5 INT's 3 on downs).

2) Keep Portis in Check—Historically, Clinton Portis blasts the Eagles on the ground, that will need to change on Sunday.

3) Pressure Jason Campbell—They don't need to sack him, but just make him uncomfortable in the pocket.

4) Keep Chris Cooley from Having a Big Day—Cooley, like Portis, has a history of having huge games against the Eagles, something they will need to prevent from happening.

5) Just Win Baby—Just win, it doesn't matter how you get it done, just get that W.

This game on Sunday will be another knockdown drag-out NFC East battle. I see another close game between the two.

MY PREDICTION: EAGLES-23 REDSKINS-16