The Eagles defeated Indianapolis, 30-27, at Lucas Oil Stadium Monday night on a 36-yard field goal by rookie Cody Parkey as time ran out, improving to 2-0 for the second time in the last three seasons with the victory (also 2012).

This game marks the first NFL meeting between former college teammates Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins, the two are familiar with each other. Cousins became the starting quarterback at Michigan State, forcing Foles to transfer over to Arizona.

In the 2012 draft, the Eagles took Foles in the third round, Cousins went to Washington in the fourth round.

(Listen on 97.3 ESPN, coverage starts at noon, kickoff at 1pm).

These teams have played 157 games all-time, with the Redskins holding a 80-72-5 advantage in those contests.

(ESPN.com NFL insider KC Joyner looks at the match-up)

The Eagles will be missing three starters, linebacker Mychal Kendricks is out this week with a calf injury, he will be replaced by the combination of Emmanuel Acho and Casey Matthews - a huge drop off.   Dennis Kelly will fill in at left guard for Evan Mathis for the second week in a row and Andrew Gardner will get the call as the starting left tackle, making his second straight start.  Reserve Matt Tobin practiced all week but is inactive again this week.

Along with Kendricks, safety Earl Wolff did not participate in practice on Friday.

Overall, other than Kendricks and the two starting offensive lineman, the Eagles find themselves pretty healthy as they enter week three of the season.

On the Redskins injury front, reports on the Sports Bash from Washington have been mixed, with some saying DeSean Jackson will play, with some saying he shouldn't play.  However, Chris Russell of ESPN 980 Washington, D.C. reports the Redskins are "planning on having" DeSean Jackson active against the Eagles.

The Redskins will put him through an extensive pre-game workout and make a decision afterward. Multiple reports have been that Jackson's shoulder remains a definite issue. There's a chance he could play a very limited role.

Tight end Jordan Reed has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

(Listen to this week's The Outside View with Doc Walker, John Keim and Kevin Sheehan)

Sheehan (Friday): 

Match-Up to watch:

(ESPN's Sal Paolantonio talks about the match-up to watch)

Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan vs Eagles tackle Andrew Gardner:  Andrew Gardner was pushed around on Monday night in the first half vs the Colts.  While he settled in nicely in the second half, facing Kerrigan will be Gardners biggest challenge to date.  If Kerrigan dominates this battle, it could disrupt the entire Eagles offense.

Eagles' inactives: Eagles inactives: QB Matt Barkley, WR Josh Huff, S Earl Wolff, OL Matt Tobin, OL Kevin Graf, LB Mychal Kendricks, DE Taylor Hart.

Redskins’ inactives: QB Robert Griffin, TE Jordan Reed, WR Santana Moss, LB Akeem Jordan, CB Tracy Porter, OT Morgan Moses, DE Kendric Golston

Reaction: The Eagles have some issues up front, and the Redskins got to Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne 10 times last week, they are much better on the defensive side of-the-ball then they were in 2013.  While Cousins and the Redskins offense can be explosive, the loss of Reed and a limited Jackson could affect the offense.  Alfred Morris will be a handful for this Eagles defense, which is missing Kendricks.  Expect a heavy dose of Morris right in the area of Matthews and Acho.

The Redskins are averaging 161.0 rush yards per game in 2014 (third highest in the league), and their four rushing touchdowns are tied with the Saints for most in the NFL through Week two.

With Gardner and Kelly in the starting lineup,  the Eagles added more depth getting Tobin back from an ankle injury and signing former pro bowl guard Wade Smith last week, plus David Molk is still available.

This should be a great test for the Eagles, Washington is 1-1 coming off an impressive win over Jacksonville – this is a big game to see if the Redskins are a real player in the NFC east race.

The Eagles were just 4-4 at home, last season, but are hoping to get off to a 2-0 start this season with this game.  Playing better at home is essential for the Eagles to be a serious contender.

Overall, I think Washington is a better team that many give them credit for, win or lose, I think they will be the biggest contender in the NFC east this season.  Injuries aren't a big issue for the Eagles, but the ones they have are crucial - not crucial enough to lose the game, but crucial enough to keep the Redskins in the game.

The Pick:  Eagles 31, Redskins 27

 

More From 97.3 ESPN