Undefeated Philadelphia looks to go 4-0 in NFC East showdown with Washington
WASHINGTON (2-1) at PHILADELPHIA (3-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, FOX
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NFL LINE: Eagles by 8½
AGAINST THE SPREAD: Washington 1-2; Philadelphia 2-0-1
SERIES RECORD: Washington leads the series 89-82-5.
LAST MEETING: Washington handed the Eagles their first loss after eight wins to start the season, 32-21 in Philadelphia last Nov. 14.
LAST WEEK: Commanders lost 37-3 at home to Bills; Eagles won at Tampa Bay 25-11.
EAGLES OFFENSE: OVERALL (6), RUSH (2), PASS (23), SCORING (7).
EAGLES DEFENSE: OVERALL (12), RUSH (1), PASS (T-25), SCORING (T-9).
COMMANDERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (23), RUSH (15), PASS (25), SCORING (T-19).
COMMANDERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (14), RUSH (22), PASS (13), SCORING (27).
TURNOVER DIFFERENTIAL: Commanders minus-3; Eagles plus-4.
EAGLES PLAYER TO WATCH: Rookie DT Jalen Carter continued to impress in Monday’s win over Tampa Bay, with two tackles, a half-sack, a pair of forced fumbles and a QB hit. His 15 QB pressures are tied for eighth in the NFL. After allowing nine sacks in Sunday’s loss to Buffalo, the Commanders offensive line will have their hands full with Carter.
COMMANDERS PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Terry McLaurin had two of his best performances of the season in 2022 against the Eagles, combining for 14 catches for 230 yards. The sixth-year pro has caught 13 passes for 126 yards and a TD this season. Washington likely will need another big game from him against the Eagles for the Commanders to have a chance at an upset victory.
KEY MATCHUP: Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. against Philadelphia’s rushing defense. Robinson holds the NFL’s longest active streak with 10 consecutive games of at least 50 rushing yards. The Eagles defense leads the league by holding teams to 48.3 yards rushing per game. After giving up nine sacks last week, Washington will need to run to take pressure off QB Sam Howell. But the Eagles have stopped their opponents’ rushing games, and Washington will try to solve first-year defensive coordinator Sean Desai’s scheme.
KEY INJURIES: Commanders TE Logan Thomas is expected to play after missing the game vs. the Bills with a concussion. … Eagles WR Quez Watkins and S Sydney Brown are each out with a hamstring injury. … S Justin Evans (neck) is questionable.
SERIES NOTES: Washington has had success in Philadelphia, going 43-42-2 all time. The Commanders are the only Eagles opponent with more than one win in Philadelphia since 2020.
STATS AND STUFF: Washington committed five turnovers in its loss to the Bills, with QB Sam Howell throwing four picks. Howell also was sacked nine times. Washington has allowed an NFL-worst 19 sacks through three games. … The Commanders defensive line of Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat and Chase Young went without a sack of Buffalo’s Josh Allen on 32 pass attempts. … Washington avoided a shutout to Buffalo with a 51-yard field goal by Joey Slye with 46 seconds left. … This will be the first meeting between the teams since Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris led a group to purchase the Commanders from Dan Snyder for $6.05 billion. … The Eagles outgained Tampa Bay 472-174 on Monday night. … Philadelphia is one of three undefeated teams, along with the Dolphins and 49ers. … Center Jason Kelce has started 142 consecutive games. … The Eagles are the only NFL team with multiple takeaways in each of the first three games. … QB Jalen Hurts passed for 277 yards, with a TD and two interceptions against the Bucs.
FANTASY TIP: Behind Philadelphia’s punishing offensive line, RB D’Andre Swift has 305 yards and a TD on 44 carries in the past two weeks. If they get the lead, the Eagles likely will lean on Swift to eat up minutes and yards. Philadelphia could be playing with a lead, giving Swift plenty of opportunities to help fantasy owners.
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