Gameday: Eagles without three starters on defense versus Washington

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Big game for the Birds today. Huge game in fact. A win would give Philadelphia a half-game lead over idle Dallas in the NFC East standings. A loss will drop the Eagles to 5-6—2-3 in the division—muddying their path to the playoffs.

If the Eagles are going to extend their winning streak to three games, not to mention end home losing-streak that’s into its 14th month, they’ll have to do it shorthanded. Cornerback Bradley Fletcher, interior linebacker Mychal Kendricks, and safety Earl Wolff are all inactive today due to injuries.

Fletcher missed last week’s game already with a pectoral injury. Kendricks and Wolff both suffered knee injuries in the victory at Green Bay as well.

Wolff’s absence is no surprise. The rookie safety was declared out today earlier in the week. Patrick Chung has been active the past two weeks after missing time with a deep shoulder contusion, so at least the Eagles have a veteran to turn to.

Roc Carmichael made his first NFL start for the Eagles last week in place of Fletcher. The former Houston Texan held up well against the Packers’ backup and third-string quarterbacks, although the officials probably could’ve flagged him for pass interference a few times.

Najee Goode replaced Kendricks last week and was serviceable. With DeMeco Ryans having such a huge game stuffing the run, it made Goode’s job that much easier in his first meaningful NFL action on defense.

Of the three injuries though, Kendrick is probably the biggest loss. He likely would’ve been used to spy electrifying Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III, who by the way is looking much better than he was the last time around.

The Eagles raced out to a 33-7 in the game’s first 32 minutes when they met Washington in Week 1. The Skins were unprepared though, both for Chip Kelly’s offense in his pro head coaching debut, and Griffin who had not faced a live rush at all after suffering a torn ACL last January.

Griffin has long since shaken off the rust, and he has Washington looking respectable again. He can still beat defenses with his arm and his legs, and he has some pretty good weapons in Alfred Morris (third in the NFL with 825 yards rushing) and Pierre Garcon (seventh with 803 yards receiving).

Nick Foles and the Birds’ offense will likely be called upon to put points on the board this week, because the Eagles’ streak of holding opponents to 21 points or fewer may be in jeopardy.

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