The Sports Xchange

By Brian McNally, The Sports Xchange

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Redskins saw signs of promise through the first two weeks of the season. But most of them were eliminated in an embarrassing 32-21 primetime loss to the New York Giants last Thursday.

Washington (1-2) needs more from quarterback Kirk Cousins entering Sunday’s home game against the Philadelphia Eagles (1-2). He had his second two-interception game of the season on Thursday.

Even more distressing, he missed too many open receivers. Cousins twice had tight end Jordan Reed in good position to catch a touchdown pass and underthrew him. They weren’t isolated incidents.

Special teams continue to bedevil the Redskins. They gave up a safety on the first series of the Giants game with a punt block. Two weeks earlier against Miami they allowed the go-ahead score on a fourth-quarter punt return.

It doesn’t get easier for punter Tress Way and his unit this week. Eagles return man Darren Sproles returned a beautiful, high punt for a touchdown against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Sproles is the latest in a line of top-notch returners Washington has faced, including Jarvis Landry, Tavon Austin and Dwayne Harris.

The Redskins rank fourth in the NFL in rushing yards per game, although they struggled some against the Giants. Rookie running back Matt Jones also fumbled for the second game in a row.

Philadelphia’s offense ranks 31st in yards per play and yards per game and is 30th in third-down percentage. That’s not a great matchup against a Washington defense that remains third in fewest rushing yards allowed and is tied for third stopping opponents on third down.

Give-aways remain an issue for the Redskins, who are minus five in turnover differential. Once again they only forced one fumble and they have no interceptions. That reduces the margin for error.

The defensive line is improved, but the pass rush is not. Ryan Kerrigan had 13.5 sacks last season, but is off to a slow start in that area.

Trent Murphy and Preston Smith haven’t produced yet on the right side — although Smith, Washington’s second-round pick last spring, has the only forced fumble and recovery.

SERIES HISTORY: 160th regular-season meeting. Redskins lead series, 81-73-5. The Eagles have won three of the last four meetings, but Washington took the last one, 27-24, at FedEx Field on Dec. 20. The Redskins won the lone playoff game between the teams in 1990. Their 82 wins over Philadelphia are the most vs. any NFL team. The NFC East rivals have played a home-and-home series every year since 1936, save 1943 when the Eagles merged with the Pittsburgh Steelers for one season to form the Phil-Pitt Steagles.

GAME PLAN: The Redskins showed what they want their identity to be during the first two weeks of the season: Run the ball, have Kirk Cousins manage the game and limit turnovers and use a physical defensive front to dominate the line of scrimmage.

It worked for the most part. Washington led in the fourth quarter against Miami and was clearly the better team against St. Louis. But when the Redskins fell behind early and couldn’t run effectively against the Giants, the plan fell apart as Cousins struggled with his accuracy and decision-making.

Philadelphia is ranked eighth overall against the run. Running backs Matt Jones and Alfred Morris will have their work cut out for them. Opponents have been successful throwing the ball against the Eagles, but that was the case with the Giants, too. Can Cousins take advantage this time?