FanHouse

To get you ready for week 2, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is the Philadelphia Eagles/Washington Redskins MNF preview.

2007 Records:
Redskins: 1-0 with an OT win over Miami
Eagles: 0-1 with a tough loss to the Packers

The Eagles are coming off a terribly disappointing loss in week one to the seemingly underrated Packers. Tonight the Birds will play in front of their loyal fans in South Philadelphia for the first time this season in an attempt to get the 2007 campaign back on track. Not only is it the home opener, it's also on the biggest stage of the regular season on Monday Night Football.

Eagles fans have been out in the parking lots doing their all important prep work for the game since the sun first came up this morning. Game time temperature should be in the mid sixties, a perfect night for football.

Some keys to the game for each team as well as a few special guests, after the jump.


The Eagles defense must contain Ladell Betts and Clinton Portis. While the Birds defensive front played well in the season opener in Green Bay, the Packers running attack is no match for the dynamic duo that the Skins are going to pound at them with. The loss of Lito Shepperd is also a benefit to the Redskins young quarterback, Jason Campbell. Goofy TE Chris Cooley could also prove to be a threat to the Birds linebacking core.

Donovan McNabb and the offense needs to find a rhythm. In a poor showing in peek one in which McNabb connected with Jason Avant for one touchdown, the Birds passing game never really got going. McNabb, in his first start since returning from knee surgery, looked flat. If the Eagles want to win football games, Donovan is going to have to build a much better relationship with his receivers and tight ends.

For the Redskins keys, I thought we should see what the 'Skins fans think is important. Many thanks to Will from Hogshaven.com for his three keys to the game.

1) It's no secret that the key for an ~ touchdown underdog is playing mistake free football. We barely snuck by the Dolphins at home, thanks in large part to two Jason Campbell interceptions. Joe Gibbs has always placed a huge emphasis on protecting the ball and understands very well that losing the turnover battle is typically a strong indicator of a game lost.

2) A good way to accomplish 1) is to run the ball effectively. The fewer 3rd and distance situations that JC has to face, the less likely he'll be to throw it to the other team. If we can move a few sets of chains on the ground only, it will take an enormous amount of pressure off our young quarterback. Additionally it will keep the Eagles defense honest enough where JC will see a couple of really favorable matchups in the secondary. We want the Eagles to stack the box and bite on play action.

3) Big plays. Underdogs aren't finessing wins out of better teams on the road. We need to catch a few breaks on some deep passes, which happens to play towards, in my opinion, JC's biggest strength. He throws about as good a looking long ball as anyone I've seen in Washington. Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El excel in the deep passing game and doing damage with the ball in space. Chris Cooley has developed as much more of a deep ball threat under Al Saunders than he was previously.

Interesting fact: Tonight's start for Donovan McNabb will put him in some great company among Ron Jaworski and Randall Cunningham. He will become the third quarterback in franchise history to start 100 games.

And hey! What better way to end our Monday Night Football preview than with a prediction from Mister Irrelevant himself, Jamie Mottram:

McNabb better have a huge night, or you know what time it is ... it's Kevin Kolb time. Prediction: Redskins win a close one on the strength of their running game and defense. Get ready for the grind, Philly. It's gonna be like Eric Nies up in this [female dog]!

Wow. Somebody pour a beer on that guy! Go Birds! I'm predicting a Birds victory by the smashing of 34-13. (For more of my wacky conversation with Jamie and WashPo/Bog's Agent Steinz, click here.)