Week 16: Redskins @ Eagles Preview
Where: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
When: Sunday, December 23 at 1:00 p.m.
Watch: FOX, WTTG-5
Radio: SportsTalk 980, WTEM
Point Spread: Redskins (-5.5, 44.5)
UPDATE: Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan has indicated that barring a setback, Robert Griffin III will start at quarterback for the Redskins in Philadelphia on Sunday.
The Redskins are looking for their sixth straight victory and to solidify their hold on first place in the NFC East. Washington can clinch their first playoff birth since 2007 with a win, combined with losses by the Giants, Bears and Vikings. The focus again this week is targeted on the health of quarterback Robert Griffin III. Should RG3 not be able to go, the 'Skins will again go with fellow rookie Kirk Cousins. The return of receiver Pierre Garcon has added balance to the offense, but make no mistake, Washington is getting it done on the ground. Rookie running back Alfred Morris already holds team rookie records for carries, yards and touchdowns. The Eagles (4-10) are in last place in the NFC East, but running back LeSean McCoy has been cleared from his concussion and will start on Sunday.
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NOTES
REDSKINS: Rookie QB ROBERT GRIFFIN III completed 14 of 15 (93.3 pct.) for 200 yards with 4 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 158.3 rating in last meeting, earning NFC Off. Player of Week. Is only rookie in NFL history with 158.3 rating in game. Has 748 rush yards, most by rookie QB in NFL history. Is 1st QB ever with 4+ TD passes of 60+ yards & rush TD of 60+ yards in season. Rookie QB KIRK COUSINS posted 1st win last week with 329 yards & 104.4 rating…RB ALFRED MORRIS leads NFL rookies with 1,322 rush yards. Has rushed for 453 yards (113.3 per game) & 4 TDs in past 4. Has 75+ rush yards in 12 of 14 games (6 100s). In 7 road games, has 677 rush yards (96.7 per game) & 6 TDs…WR LEONARD HANKERSON had career-high 2 TDs last week. WR PIERRE GARCON has TD in 3 of past 4. WR SANTANA MOSS has 5 TDs in past 8. Had 61-yard TD in last meeting…LB LONDON FLETCHER has INT in 3 of past 4. CB DE ANGELO HALL has INT in 2 of past 3 vs. Phi. Since 2011, LB RYAN KERRIGAN is only NFL player with 10+ sacks (14) & 2+ INT-TDs (2)…EAGLES: QB NICK FOLES has 1,356 pass yards & needs 153 to pass JOHN REAVES (1,508 in 1972) for most by rookie in team history…RB LE SEAN MC COY has 17 TDs (13 rush, 4 rec.) in his past 15 at home. RB BRYCE BROWN leads NFL rookies with 2 150+ yard rush games…WR JEREMY MACLIN has 13 catches for 177 yards (88.5 per game) & TD in past 2. Has 246 receptions, most by Eagle in 1st 4 seasons. Had 8 catches for 105 yards in last home game vs. Was. WR RILEY COOPER had TD catch last week. Rookie WR-PR DAMARIS JOHNSON has 277 PR yards, 2nd most by Phi. rookie (DE SEAN JACKSON, 440, 2008)…DT FLETCHER COX leads rookie DTs with 5.5 sacks. Aims for 3rd in row with sack. DE BRANDON GRAHAM had 2.5 sacks & FF last week. DE TRENT COLE has 5 sacks in past 7 meetings. LB DE MECO RYANS leads team with 107 tackles. Made 100th career start last week.
CONTINUE READING for more on the Redskins visit to Philadelphia
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles 
| WASHINGTON REDSKINS | ||||
| Passing | Cmp | Att | Yds | TDs |
| Robert Griffin III | 233 | 351 | 2902 | 18 |
| Kirk Cousins | 33 | 48 | 466 | 4 |
| Rushing | Car | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| Alfred Morris | 280 | 1322 | 4.7 | 9 |
| Robert Griffin III | 112 | 748 | 6.7 | 6 |
| Receiving | Rec | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| Santana Moss | 37 | 525 | 14.2 | 7 |
| Leonard Hankerson | 36 | 521 | 14.5 | 3 |
| PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | ||||
| Passing | Cmp | Att | Yds | TDs |
| Michael Vick | 185 | 316 | 2165 | 11 |
| Nick Foles | 129 | 217 | 1356 | 5 |
| Rushing | Car | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| LeSean McCoy | 177 | 750 | 4.2 | 2 |
| Bryce Brown | 103 | 528 | 5.1 | 4 |
| Receiving | Rec | Yds | Avg | TDs |
| Jeremy Maclin | 57 | 719 | 12.6 | 5 |
| DeSean Jackson | 45 | 700 | 15.6 | 2 |
Washington
QB Robert Griffin III-Questionable (knee)
RT Tyler Polumbus- Questionable (concussion)
C Will Montgomery- Questionable (knee)
Philadelphia
QB Michael Vick- Questionable (concussion)
RB LeSean McCoy- Probable (concussion)
TE Brent Celek- Questionable (concussion)
S Kurt Coleman- Questionable
Former Eagles on Redskins
P Sav Rocca (2007-10)
Coach Danny Smith (1995-98)
Former Redskins on Eagles
DC Todd Bowles (86-90, 92-93)
PREDICTION: The Redskins haven't won the NFC East this century (1999) and the entire region is confident the team will win out and capture the crown. Washington needs to make sure they don't overlook the Eagles. With a season finale against Dallas at Fed Ex looming, with the NFC East at stake, it will take focus, to stay focused. The Philadelphia defense has improved in recent weeks and could create problems if Cousins gets the start. Do the Redskins have the patience to hold RG3 out for another week? Regardless of who is under center, the Redskins need to maintain balance, utilizing the deep threat of Garcon to keep the running lanes for Morris open. Injuries along the 'Skins offensive line are a major concern, but this team has too much momentum and too much at stake. Redskins 23 Eagles 14
