Chance to open up lead in East coming Sunday ASHBURN — The Redskins returned from their bye in better shape than when they left. It had nothing to do with conditioning, either. Rather, it had to do with the continued stumbling of the Eagles and a blown fourth-quarter lead by the New York Giants.
Suddenly, the 3-1 Redskins are alone in first place in the NFC East. Suddenly, they have a chance to bury the Eagles further when they host them Sunday. The Eagles, the preseason favorite to win the division, are 1-4 after their fourth straight defeat.
It adds another layer to Sunday’s game; another Eagles loss almost could spell the end of their postseason hopes. And consider this: Also Sunday, the Giants host 4-1 Buffalo and Dallas plays at 4-1 New England. Another Redskins win could put them further in control.
| Notes |
| » Running back Tim Hightower said he’s going to play Sunday despite an ailing left shoulder. He said the shoulder is feeling better. Coach Mike Shanahan said, “His shoulder is a little sore, but I don’t think it will keep him from going.” Shanahan was not as sure about receiver Anthony Armstrong, who missed the past game and a half because of a hamstring injury. But Shanahan said, “I feel like there’s a good chance” Armstrong will play vs. Philadelphia. Fullback Darrel Young also practiced Monday and looked good according to Shanahan. |
| » Shanahan said of late Raiders owner Al Davis, whom he once coached for and had a long contentious relationship with: “I never met a guy that had more passion and worked harder than Al Davis. He was relentless in his approach to the game. He had a great understanding of X’s and O’s and knowing personnel. … He took a lot of pride in knowing football.” |
“It was going to be important anyway,” Redskins guard Kory Lichtensteiger said. “Now it’s really opened our eyes to the fact that this is real and it’s a real possibility for us to make some noise this year.”
And, of course, the Redskins want to make sure their quick start wasn’t slowed by the bye week.
“Some teams pick up momentum. Some teams drop off,” running back Tim Hightower said. “We can’t afford to have any dropoff. We have to keep improving on what we’ve done.”
They also know the Eagles remain dangerous because of the talent on their roster. The offense is third in total yards a game but 11th in scoring. The defense is 15th overall but 26th in scoring. A major culprit in their demise is turnovers. They are tied for last in the NFL in turnover differential at minus-10. Quarterback Michael Vick has lost three fumbles and thrown seven interceptions.
“Honestly I’m surprised by them starting off the way they have,” Lichtensteiger said. “They have plenty of talent. I hope they wait another week or so to figure out what’s going on.”
But don’t expect the Redskins to enter this week overconfident. After all, in their last meeting the Eagles won 59-28 as Vick posted a passer rating of 150.7. The Redskins have not forgotten that game.
“You can’t forget that game,” Redskins tight end Fred Davis said. “It was a catastrophe. We got destroyed. It definitely gets you ready to want to go out there this year.”
“They embarrassed us pretty badly,” coach Mike Shanahan said.
That’s why the Redskins say they will focus on numbers other than the Eagles’ record this season. Here are two: Running back LeSean McCoy is averaging 5.8 yards a carry, and receiver DeSean Jackson is averaging 19.5 yards a catch.
“As a player you hear the stuff in the media about other teams, but you know better,” Hightower said. “We can’t look at this stuff or pay attention to what is and not being said. … Yeah, they’re dangerous, but so are we. We need a win, too.”
