by David ElfinFiled under: Eagles, Redskins, NFC East
Philadelphia, as it always has after a bye week during coach Andy Reid's 12 seasons, bounced back smartly from a loss before its bye week to beat Indianapolis 26-24 and improve to 5-3 last Sunday in NFL passing leader Michael Vick's return from a nearly four-game absence with torn rib cartilage. The Eagles also welcomed back ace receiver DeSean Jackson from a concussion, left tackle Jason Peters from knee surgery and defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley from an elbow injury.Washington had its bye last week after collapsing late for the second time this season, allowing seven sacks and falling at Detroit 37-25 to slip to 4-4. The Redskins might get back longtime No. 1 runner Clinton Portis this week from a torn groin muscle he suffered on Oct. 3 at Philadelphia. If Portis and Ryan Torain, who replaced him so effectively before injuring a hamstring against the Lions, aren't ready, rookie free agent Keiland Williams will make his first start. And the Redskins will likely be without dynamic rookie free agent Brandon Banks, who set a franchise record with 271 return yards at Detroit despite tearing a meniscus.
The Redskins upset the Eagles 17-12 in Week 4 and not just because of the big hit on Vick late in the first quarter by defensive backs DeAngelo Hall and Kareem Moore. Washington was already leading 14-0 in quarterback Donovan McNabb's return to Philadelphia where he had been the starter for the previous decade. While the Redskins have already matched their victory total of their ugly 2009 season, they head into the rematch, not only still smarting from the loss to the downtrodden Lions, but battling the controversy generated when coach Mike Shanahan benched McNabb with 1:50 remaining and Washington trailing by just six points. Shanahan cited McNabb's shaky health and backup Rex Grossman's superior knowledge of the offense but has since basically said he made a mistake which McNabb has apparently accepted.
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