The Eagles will be without two starters today on defense against the Redskins.

The Eagles have declared cornerback Bradley Fletcher and linebacker Mychal Kendricks inactive for Sunday’s week 11 game vs.Washington.  Left tackle Jason Peters is active and will play in the game.

The news is not much of a surprise on Kendricks, who was unable to practice most of the week this week, but was back at practice on Friday, which is just a walk-through.  Meanwhile, the news on Fletcher is a bit of a surprise, it looked like he was going to play last week, but he sat out vs. the Packers.  This week he practiced on a limited basis most of the week, but is unable to go again today.

Losing Fletcher means Philadelphia will be facing Washington without its starting cornerback.  It’s a significant loss for the Eagles. Not only will they not have their top outside corner in Fletcher, but they’ll have to use Roc Carmichael again in a starting role.

That means for the second time this season, Carmichael will play in place of Fletcher, Carmichael has started for the second week in a row, leaving slot corner Brandon Boykin in his more comfortable position. Boykin, a third-round draft pick had some moments this season, but has done most of his work playing in the slot, he does have two interceptions and seven passes defended this season – but one thing you can be sure of, Robert Griffin III will be looking Carmichael's way in the passing game.

Without Kendircks, it leaves the Eagles without their most athletic linebacker, who was the spy on Griffin in the first match-up, leaving Goode to start for the first time this season.  Kendricks has 68 tackles and one sack through nine games.

As for the Redskins, they will; now face the Eagles without two of their most important defensive players and you can expect the Skins to exploit them early and often.  The first game was a tale-of-two-halves for the Eagles defense.  In the first half, they were aggressive forcing turnovers and really set-the-tone for the game.  In the second half, the Eagles offense slowed down and the Redskins offense caught fire.

In his first game action since tearing his ACL in the 2012 playoffs, Griffin III completed 30-of-49 passes for 329 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in Monday night's Week 1, 33-27 loss to the Eagles - this time things should be different.  Griffin III looks much more comfortable in the passing game, and rushing the football.  It will certainly provide a challenge for the Eagles short-handed defense.

Also in the first meeting, Alfred Morris rushed for only 45 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and was a big part of the problem. He fumbled on Washington's opening play from scrimmage, then botched a toss from Robert Griffin III in the end zone on the third possession that resulted in a safety. However, Morris is a talented back and has been one of the better backs over the past month and is averaging 5.18 yards per carry.

Eagles inactives: CB Bradley Fletcher, LB Mychal Kendricks, QB Michael Vick, WR Damaris Johnson, S Earl Wolff, LB Jake Knott and T Dennis Kelly.

Redskins inactives: Rex Grossman, Josh Morgan, Jose Gumbs, Brandon Jenkins, Josh LeRibeus, Fred Davis, Chris Neild..

Reaction:

Losing both Fletcher and now Kendircks is a huge blow to the Eagles defense, Both Carmichael and Goode played well in the win over the Packers and took most of the reps with the first-team this week in practice - so they should be prepared.  The Eagles defense is playing very well the past six weeks, giving up 21-or-less in each game, we’ll see how the Redskins attack the Eagles defense without Fletcher and Kendircks.

The Eagles defense has been playing very well, they seem to be more comfortable playing away from Lincoln Finical field but now must show they can get-off-the-field at home.  It will be a big test to see how Nick Foles will play today at home vs. a division foe.  Foles is 0-6 lifetime at the Linc as a starter.

The Pick:  Eagles, 34, Redskins 30 

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