Eagles-Redskins Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Trent Dilfer On The Eagles' MNF Win

SCOUTING REPORT

Eagles-Redskins: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Eagles-Redskins matchup. 1. The Eagles must pick up the blitz: The usually inept Raiders pass rush came up with six sacks in Week 6 against a patchwork Philadelphia offensive line and Donovan McNabb never had time to set his feet and throw. The Eagles seemed to get really caught off guard because the Raiders had only blitzed 20 times in their first five games. The Eagles have major problems on the left side of their offensive line and you can bet that the Redskins will attack with some overload blitzes from that side. What makes this worse is the fact that if the Eagles are forced to keep their backs and tight ends in to block (and none of them are great blitz pick-up guys), it adversely affects the number of targets in the passing game.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
PHI	11-5	429	337	6-2	5-3	4-2	9-3
WAS	4-12	266	336	3-5	1-7	0-6	2-10
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Philadelphia Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT McNabb 60.3 3553 22 10 Kolb 64.6 741 4 3

Washington Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Campbe... 64.5 3618 20 15 Collin... 52.2 144 0 0

Philadelphia Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD McCoy 155 637 4.1 4 Weaver 70 323 4.6 2

Washington Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Portis 124 494 4.0 1 Campbe... 46 236 5.1 1

Philadelphia Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Jackso... 63 1167 18.5 9 Celek 76 971 12.8 8

Washington Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Moss 70 902 12.9 3 Randle... 50 530 10.6 0

Full Player Stats: Philadelphia | Washington

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	PHI	358.0
	WAS	312.0
Yards Passing	PHI	255.6
	WAS	218.1
Yards Rushing	PHI	102.3
	WAS	94.3
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	PHI	321.1
	WAS	319.7
Pass Yds Allowed	PHI	216.4
	WAS	207.3
Rush Yds Allowed	PHI	104.7
	WAS	112.4

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Philadelphia leads 12-6
Dec 21, 2008	PHI 3, WAS 10
Oct 5, 2008	PHI 17, @WAS 23
Nov 11, 2007	PHI 33, WAS 25
Sep 17, 2007	PHI 12, @WAS 20
Dec 10, 2006	PHI 21, WAS 19
Nov 12, 2006	PHI 27, @WAS 3
Jan 1, 2006	PHI 20, @WAS 31
Nov 6, 2005	PHI 10, WAS 17
Dec 12, 2004	PHI 17, WAS 14
Nov 21, 2004	PHI 28, @WAS 6
Dec 27, 2003	PHI 31, WAS 7
Oct 5, 2003	PHI 27, @WAS 25
Dec 15, 2002	PHI 34, @WAS 21
Sep 16, 2002	PHI 37, WAS 7
Dec 16, 2001	PHI 20, WAS 6
Nov 25, 2001	PHI 3, @WAS 13

Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn was stripped of his play-calling duties this week. Still, he has been given a vote of confidence.

Forced to let newcomer Sherm Lewis direct the offense, Zorn won't have to worry about losing his job as Washington hosts the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.

Redskins management caused a stir this week by announcing it would no longer allow Zorn to call the plays, instead giving that role to Lewis in hopes of sparking a sluggish offense. Lewis, lured out of retirement two weeks ago to take a job as a consultant, spent 22 years as an assistant but hadn't been in the NFL since 2004.

With Washington (2-4) on a bye following this game, there had been rumors that Zorn could be fired next week -- especially if things didn't go well Monday night. On Friday, though, executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato told ESPN980 that Zorn will remain coach "for the rest of this season and hopefully into the future."

Cerrato said he hopes his remarks will make things "totally crystal clear" about Zorn's status, leaving the team to focus on winning games.

The switch to Lewis as the play-caller came almost immediately following a 14-6 home loss to previously winless Kansas City last Sunday.

The Redskins are averaging 13.2 points, fourth-fewest in the league. They've failed to get into the end zone in two of their three games at FedEx Field.

"The reason I can comply with this is simply because of the lack of scoring," Zorn said. "I want to win, too. If this has to be done this week, if this is going to be the key, I'm certainly willing to give it a try. Because we're 2-4 and to not score in the last few weeks, the way we have not scored, is very frustrating.

"Sometimes we have to do things that are uncomfortable."

Zorn appears to have made one decision on his own, naming Jason Campbell the starting quarterback against the Eagles after benching him against the Chiefs.

Campbell went 9 for 16 for a season-low 89 yards with an interception before being replaced by Todd Collins. The backup didn't look any better, going 6 for 14 for 75 yards in his first game since 2007.

Campbell, the 25th overall selection in the 2005 draft, was nearly replaced by the front office during the offseason.

"I've been on a shorter leash since March," Campbell said.

The play-calling of the Eagles (3-2) also has come under scrutiny.

They were heavily favored to win a third consecutive game against a struggling opponent last Sunday, but lost 13-9 to an Oakland team that had been outscored 96-16 over its previous three games.

"It's a great lesson to learn that no team is as good as you think in this league and no team is as bad as you think in this league," coach Andy Reid said. "It's the National Football League and you better be ready every week to play and execute as coaches and players and it starts with me."

Though the Eagles averaged 4.8 yards per carry, Reid called 54 passing plays and only 12 rushing, excluding two scrambles by quarterback Donovan McNabb that really were pass plays. Two-time Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook had six carries for 50 yards.

"We did what we thought would help us win the game, but looking back on it, we probably could have run the ball more," Reid said.

Philadelphia's 116 rushes rank among the fewest in the NFL, and Westbrook has managed just 184 yards and one touchdown on 38 carries. The Eagles rushed for 185 yards on 32 attempts in a season-opening win at Carolina but have since averaged 21.0 carries for 78.8 yards.

McNabb was sacked six times last week, matching the total Philadelphia had allowed through four games.

"We're a much better football team," said McNabb, who completed 22 of 46 passes for 269 yards.

Philadelphia lost middle linebacker Omar Gaither for the season to a foot injury but quickly replaced him by acquiring Will Witherspoon from St. Louis on Tuesday for rookie receiver Brandon Gibson and a fifth-round pick in 2010.

Weatherspoon is an eight-year veteran who had 36 tackles this year as the Rams' starter at the weakside spot. He's expected to start in Gaither's place Monday.

"He's a three-down linebacker, and he can play both the MIKE position and the WIL linebacker position," Reid said. "He's very good at both of them. He's a good cover linebacker. He has the flexibility to cover tight ends and running backs and that type of thing, which is a plus."

The Eagles dropped both meetings with the Redskins last season, falling 10-3 at FedEx Field on Dec. 21 after winning seven of their previous eight there.

Wickersham: The future of the NFL

Seth Wickersham looks at the labor dispute that is hanging over the NFL and what the future may hold for the league.

Dungy: Vick spoke of redemption during visits

When Tony Dungy visited Michael Vick in prison last year, Dungy says Vick talked about reconnecting with his kids. They met up again Saturday at the Bart Starr Award breakfast as part of Super Bowl week.

Owners talk labor situation; status quo reigns

NFL owners have met for several hours to discuss the labor situation, although it appears they are no closer to reaching an agreement with the players' union for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Saints' Payton a longtime coach in the making

It wasn't hard to spot the coach in Sean Payton from an early age.

Eagles' Sheldon Brown Skips Workout

Cornerback Sheldon Brown was a no-show and running back Brian Westbrook was a non-participant because of injury today when the Philadelphia Eagles began eight days of workouts that, while voluntary, are generally regarded as "full-roster" in nature.

Jon Runyan contemplates future

Life is different for Jon Runyan these days, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he spent yesterday afternoon on a two-hour road trip to pick up his pet pig.

Ankle injury sidelines Westbrook

In a lighter moment at camp, the Birds' quarterback duo of Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb united in laughter yesterday during the almost-full-squad workout at the team's NovaCare Complex.

Jim Johnson situation a new one for Eagles

Sheldon Brown wasn't there, which is just kind of pointless. Brian Westbrook wasn't there, which is just kind of troubling.

Birds' Eye View: Donovan speaks -- sort of

With the Eagles set to open a full-squad passing camp tomorrow at the NovaCare Complex, Donovan McNabb's team of publicists sent out a release today pitching the 10-year anniversary of the quarterback's charitable foundation.

Thomas's Return 'On Schedule'

Randy Thomas is sitting out OTA practices this month after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery recently, according to head coach Jim Zorn.

Redskins Take First Look at Line After Jansen

"I feel like I have the ability to be a starter," said Stephon Heyer, center, shown here taking on Scott Burley in drills during yesterday's workout as offensive line coach Joe Bugel looks on.

Kelly Full-Go At Practice

Malcolm Kelly pulled in a pass on a slant pattern, adjusting his body mid-route because the throw was slightly behind him.

Back In Action

The Redskins resumed OTAs on Monday, with more than 75 veterans and rookies returning to the practice fields at Redskins Park.

Heyer Aims To Be Worthy Heir

Late yesterday morning, Stephon Heyer performed the duties offensive linemen perform at this time of year.