Commanders (2-1) at Eagles (3-0)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Lincoln Financial Stadium, Philadelphia TV: Fox
Spread (FanDeul):
Eagles by 7.5
Commanders’ keys to victory:
After starting the season 2-0, Washington came back down to earth in a humbling 37-3 loss to the Bills that saw QB Sam Howell intercepted four times. Washington will look to duplicate the formula from Week 10 a year ago, when it broke Philadelphia’s eight-game winning streak to start the season. In that game, the Commanders defense forced four turnovers and the offense controlled the game with a stout rushing attack, maintaining possession for 40:24 and converting 12 third downs.
Eagles’ keys to victory: This matchup will be about Nick Sirianni’s team establishing a running game behind the NFL’s top offensive line, while using the shock and awe of a deep passing game to overwhelm the Washington secondary. After Buffalo sacked Howell nine times in their Week 3 matchup, look for Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai to dial up creative ways to pressure the Commanders while allowing rookie DT Jalen Carter and LB Haason Reddick to do their thing.
Matchup to watch: Eagles CB Darius Slay vs. Commanders WR Terry McLaurin. In the Week 10 upset last season, McLaurin had eight catches for 128 yards and six catches for 102 yards in a Week 3 loss. Slay, an All-Pro, is tasked with keeping McLaurin in check.
Who wins? Philadelphia remembers the sting of that 32-21 loss at home a year ago and is coming off steamrolling Tampa Bay in Week 3. The Commanders lost steam after starting the season 2-0, and they’ll really come back to reality in Week 4.
Eagles 35-21