The Philadelphia Eagles visit the Washington Commanders on Sunday night at Northwest Stadium, with kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. The game turns on whether a stalled Philadelphia passing attack, missing three receivers, can exploit a Washington secondary that has been giving up yards all season.
The Matchup
Philadelphia Eagles: 2-5
Washington Commanders: 1-4-1
Venue: Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD
Kickoff: Sunday, November 1, 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Line (DraftKings): WSH -6, O/U 40.5
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders tickets
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What Decides It
Washington's pass defense is the opening, and Philadelphia may not have the receivers to use it. The Commanders allow 268 passing yards a game, while the Eagles throw for about 194. That means Washington gives up nearly 74 more yards through the air than Philadelphia usually produces.
The problem is personnel. DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks and Britain Covey are all out, which leaves Dallas Goedert, the team's receiving leader, as Tanner McKee's most reliable target. If Philadelphia can't stretch this secondary with what's left, the mismatch goes unused.
The Eagles' slide is a scoring problem first. Philadelphia has dropped at least 5 straight and hasn't topped 21 points in any of those losses. The offense averages about 18 points a game while the defense gives up 25.
The defense offers little cover. The Eagles allow about 131 rushing yards a game, and Washington runs for about 125, with its quarterback leading the team on the ground. Philadelphia also gives up about 248 passing yards a game, so Washington's attack should find room in both phases.
Landover is where Washington has been competitive. The Commanders are 1-1-1 at home and 0-3 on the road. Their home results include a 33-31 win and a 27-27 overtime tie, so this offense has shown it can put up points in this building.
One counterweight: Washington's defensive interior is thin. Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw are out and Jer'Zhan Newton is on injured reserve, which gives Saquon Barkley a path to carry the Eagles if the passing game stalls.
Players to Watch
Philadelphia Eagles
Passing: Tanner McKee – 49-80, 426 YDS, 2-1 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Saquon Barkley – 43 ATT, 244 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving: Dallas Goedert – 22 REC, 228 YDS, 2 TD
Barkley against a short-handed Washington front is the Eagles' best chance to control the clock and keep this low-scoring.
Washington Commanders
Passing: Jayden Daniels – 75-116, 759 YDS, 5 TD
Rushing: Jayden Daniels – 25 ATT, 213 YDS, 2 TD
Receiving: Stefon Diggs – 24 REC, 214 YDS, 4 TD
Daniels leads Washington in both passing and rushing, and Diggs has caught 4 touchdowns. That combination is a tough ask for a Philadelphia defense that has struggled against both the pass and the run.
Injury Report
Philadelphia Eagles
Jihaad Campbell (LB): Out – Hamstring
Britain Covey (WR): Out – Knee
Dontayvion Wicks (WR): Out – Ankle
DeVonta Smith (WR): Out – Hamstring
Jonathan Jones (CB): Out – Hamstring
Washington Commanders
Daron Payne (DT): Out – Foot
Jer'Zhan Newton (DT): Injured Reserve – Pectoral
Javon Kinlaw (DT): Out – Knee
John Bates (TE): Questionable – Shoulder
Treylon Burks (WR): Questionable – Foot
Prediction
Washington wins, 24-17. The Commanders have the more productive offense, a quarterback who hurts you two ways, and a home split that beats their road form. Philadelphia's receiver losses keep it from cashing in on Washington's pass defense, and an offense that hasn't topped 21 points during this streak won't keep pace.