The Washington Redskins com into this one at 4-4 and despite all of the injuries, they have a chance to have a winning record at past the midway point. Donovan McNabb started again last game but it's clear he is quickly falling out of favor with the Redskins. With Clinton Portis injured, and after releasing most of what looked to be a bevery deep backfield before the season started, the Skins are now starting Ryan Torain, who while he is a physical runner, doesn't have the home run threat of a Portis. Washington is averaging 19 points a game and 330 yards but just over 93 yards on the ground each game. The defense has been reasonably tough but the pressure has been on them and I expect Brian Orakpo and LaRon Landry to be part of it all when they kick off tonight despite being listed as questionable. For the season Washington is allowing 17.2 points per game despite allowing 412 yards per game with 302 of it coming through the air.
The Philadelphia Eagles are looking like of of the better teams in football but when I left the sports book last night, they were 18-1 to win the Super Bowl, the lower middle part of the pack. Michael Vick has added a new dynamic to this team and it's probably his ability to stay healthy that has some something to do with the big price. Vick has found his targets down field often as DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin have the speed to get open deep and take advantage of Vick's big arm. LeSean McCoy doesn't have breakaway speed at running back but he has enough speed to tear off big runs and keep the ground game moving. The Eagles defense has been bringing the heat, getting to the QB and with a secondary that has a nose for the football. Philadelphia is allowing 21.3 points per game though they allow less than 300 yards per game.
Like last night (where the Pats put up nearly 40 points & embarassed the Steelers in their own house), I think we'll see some points in this one and with the total set at 42 and a half....
OVER