Washington offense vs. Philadelphia defense

	REDSKINS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	12
	Pass	5
	Tot. Yds.	2
	Scoring	2
	Int's allowed	4
	Sacks allowed	10
	EAGLES DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	27
	vs. Pass	15
	Total yds. allowed	21
	# of Ints.	19
	# of Sacks	19
	Turnover differential	-10

Last week against Buffalo, Washington had one of its worst offensive games of the season. The Redskins fell behind early, and therefore could not use the running game to set up the pass. This seems to be the 'Skins bread and butter, and when the team cannot run the football it is much more difficult for QB Brad Johnson to find his receivers.

This week against Philadelphia, the 'Skins face a team that is undersized up front and has the 27th ranked run defense in the NFL. With a big running back like Stephen Davis, Washington should be able to pound the ball between the tackles, although the loss of LOG Keith Simms will make this a little more difficult. Simms' replacement Brad Badger is tough and intelligent, however, so this shouldn't be too much of a downgrade.

The Skins should also find some success running left against Philadelphia, as Eagles RDE Mike Mamula has a gimpy knee and has always been soft against the run, and ROLB William Thomas is aging and having a tougher time getting off blockers to make plays. Success running the ball will translate into big plays for the Redskins' talented corps of receivers, and Johnson will look deep down the middle of the field for his receivers in the areas vacated by Philadelphia's safeties.

The Philadelphia defense, already banged up and undermanned, suffered a further blow this week when DT Bill Johnson was released by the team for undisclosed reasons. Johnson was part of a four-tackle rotation that to this point in the season had been playing pretty well. He will be replaced by rookie DT Pernell Davis. Davis, a seventh-round pick from Alabama-Birmingham, has been inactive for all nine games and could have a difficult time this weekend against the 'Skins.

Further compounding the unit's problems is a hip-flexor injury that could sideline ROLB William Thomas for up to three weeks. Thomas is Philadelphia's best cover LB and his absence will expose the team's worst cover LB, James Darling, to man coverage on Redskins' TE Stephen Alexander. Alexander has proven that he has the ability to get downfield in coverage, so expect Eagles' defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to game plan help for Darling from the safeties. The only problem with this scenario is that it puts the Philadelphia corners in single coverage on the outside, and takes away one of the few ways the Eagles can pressure Johnson. If Johnson has ample time to deliver the football, eventually he will deliver the ball to his receivers for big plays. This Eagle defense thrives on turnovers and Johnson has only thrown four picks this entire season. With an inability to pressure the QB, this defense could be in for a long day.

The Redskins are susceptible to the run, so RB Duce Staley (if the Eagles can keep the game close) should expect to carry the ball at least 25 times. As a unit, the Eagle offensive line is finally coming together, anchored by LOT Tra Thomas and LOG Doug Brezinski. The Redskins are solid at the DT position, so look for the Eagles to try and get the ball outside.

FB Kevin Turner, who is finally showing signs of having recovered from a variety of injuries, will play a key role. Turner will need to lock on to the Redskin's undersized LB's in order to spring Staley for longer gains.

In order for the running game to be effective, however, McNabb needs to demonstrate the ability to be effective throwing the football. McNabb has shown some flashes, but it is uncertain whether he is comfortable enough in the Eagles' system to put it together for four quarters of a game.

The Redskin defense has been under intense scrutiny of late, and for good reason. The unit is surrendering over 400 yards per game total offense, and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is in jeopardy of losing his job. Luckily for the Redskins, the Eagles bring the 30th ranked offense to town with a rookie QB making his first NFL start.

The Redskin game plan for this Sunday is simple: do not let Eagles' RB Staley beat them. Staley accounts for 93% of the team's carries in the ground game, so it should not be difficult for Washington defenders to key on him. With the slow footed Philadelphia WR corps locked up in single coverage against LDC Champ Bailey and RDC Darrell Green, Nolan should be able to dedicate every necessary resource to stopping the Philly running game.

Eight man fronts on first and second down will be the norm this weekend. Until McNabb proves that he can make the Redskins pay for playing single coverage on the wide-outs, this all-out assault on the run will continue.

A good match-up for the Redskins will be on the interior line, where DTs Dana Stubblefield and "Big Daddy" Dan Wilkinson should dominate the right side of the Philadelphia line. ROG's Jeff Dellenbach and David Diaz-Infante are heady veterans, but their aging legs make them susceptible to bull rushers.