What Eagles fans should know about Washington Redskins

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If you're an Eagles fan, here's one thing you know for sure: You don't like the Redskins.

However, since you've spent this year paying attention to Carson Wentz, Fletcher Cox and all those random dudes who have been showing up in your secondary, you may not know much about the 2018 version of the Redskins.

Let's fix that.

Here are three things to know about Washington before it shows up in Philly for Monday Night Football in Week 13. And for what Redskins fans should know about the Eagles, click here.

1. They're pretty comfortable with Colt McCoy starting at QB

There are two kinds of backup quarterbacks: The kind where you feel totally hopeless about the offense the second they take the field, and the kind where you still have confidence you can move the ball if they're pressed into action.

When it comes to the Redskins, they put McCoy in the second category.

He's been in Jay Gruden's system for years now. He's going to play more aggressively than Alex Smith did in his first year with the 'Skins. He gets the ball out quickly.

In his first start, which came on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys, McCoy threw three picks, and that's the area where Washington is going to miss Smith. It relied on winning the turnover battle while jumping out to a 6-3 start, but now, it's going to have to get used to giving the ball away more with McCoy.

With that being said, the backup-turned-starter also connected on the offense's longest pass play of the year in Dallas and he thinks having a full week of practice with his pass catchers and O-line will lead to better results versus the Eagles.

People in Redskins Park believe in McCoy. A primetime game at a division rival's house is a huge chance for him to reward them for that belief.

2. This team really goes as its offensive and defensive lines go

With much of the NFL trending toward well-rounded passing attacks and versatile secondaries that can cancel out those aerial offenses, the Redskins have used a different approach in their wins in 2018.

When they're playing well, it's because of their two lines.

On offense, that means the guys up front are opening holes for Adrian Peterson, allowing the offense to own time of possession and stay in easy second- and- third-down distances. On defense, meanwhile, that means players like Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen are suffocating opposing running games and turning their opponents into a one-dimensional operation.

Lately, though, the O-line has been less effective because of injuries and their D-line has allowed RBs to gash them consistently. If the former can't fight through that adversity and the latter doesn't adjust, then the Eagles will win Monday.

3. Their punter is a legitimate weapon

Sounds lame, right? Well, it's true.

Tress Way has been an absolute stud for the Redskins this year in the punting game. Through 11 games, he hasn't had a single touchback and is routinely dropping kicks not just inside the 20 but the 10.

With an offense that doesn't generate a ton of explosive plays and a defense that's fine with giving up yards but tightening up near the goal line, field position really matters.

Luckily for the Redskins, Way is turning in a superb campaign on special teams. It's almost to the point where watching him punt is actually fun. Almost.

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