Washington @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 30, 2018 ) Philadelphia 24, Washington 0

The Philadelphia Eagles are a trendy pick to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years due in large part to the return of Carson Wentz, who has sustained significant injuries in back-to-back seasons. Wentz will be under center for the first time in nine months when the Eagles open their season against the visiting Washington Redskins on Sunday afternoon.

"I think we're all just really champing at the bit to get out there Week One at the Linc," said the 26-year-old Wentz, who saw his 2018 season end in early December with what later was revealed as a stress fracture in his back. The Eagles showed their faith in Wentz by signing him to a four-year, $128 million contract extension in the spring while parting ways with proven insurance policy Nick Foles, who was named the Super Bowl LII MVP. While Foles picked up the pieces and guided injury-riddled Philadelphia to a playoff berth last season, Washington limped to the finish line with six losses in its last seven games -- including a 24-0 setback against the Eagles in Week 17. Case Keenum, who played last season in Denver and will play for his sixth team in as many seasons on Sunday, will look to provide a much-needed jolt to an aerial attack that ranked 28th in passing yards per game (188.8).

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Eagles -10. O/U: 45

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (2018: 7-9, 3RD IN NFC EAST): Adrian Peterson is on the cusp of a pair of honors, as the veteran resides one rushing touchdown shy of surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown (106) for fifth place in league history. Should that rushing score come on Sunday, Peterson would join Marcus Allen (12), Chuck Muncie (11) and Priest Holmes (10) with double-digit touchdowns in season-opening games. Washington will be playing without Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams (holdout), with either Donald Penn or Ereck Flowers starting in his place. The availability of tight end Jordan Reed (team-leading 558 receiving yards last season) is also in question as he deals with a concussion sustained two weeks ago in a preseason game against Atlanta.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (2018: 9-7, 2ND IN NFC EAST): Wideout DeSean Jackson led the NFL in yards per reception (18.9) with Tampa Bay last season and is poised to open up defenses for Wentz when he begins his second stint in Philadelphia. The speedy Jackson is known for his fast starts, highlighted by his five season-opening games of at least 100 receiving yards -- one shy of Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin for the most in league history. Tight end Zach Ertz is coming off a career year in which he reeled in a franchise record for receptions by a tight end (116) to go along with 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns. An overhauled backfield now features Jordan Howard (Chicago) joining versatile rookie Miles Sanders, who was selected out of Penn State in the second round of the draft.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Washington has won its past three road season openers, which accounts for the longest active streak in the NFL.

2. Eagles DT Fletcher Cox registered four of his career-high 10.5 sacks last season against the Redskins.

3. Washington S Landon Collins, who will make his team debut on Sunday, recorded 19 tackles in a pair of games versus Philadelphia in 2018 while playing for the New York Giants.

PREDICTION: Eagles 24, Redskins 13