Redskins-Eagles preview

Today, 8:30 p.m.

Where: FedEx Field

TV: ESPN, Ch. 20

Radio: ESPN 980

KEY MATCHUP

EAGLES TE BRENT CELEK VS. REDSKINS LB BRIAN ORAKPO

On a team with speed in receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and the veteran savvy of running back Brian Westbrook, the Eagles’ leading receiver is Celek, the third-year tight end from Cincinnati. He has 30 catches (11 more than Jackson) for 378 yards and two touchdowns.

Because he has four catches of 25 or more yards, he presents a matchup challenge for the Redskins. Do they put rookie strongside linebacker Brian Orakpo on him in coverage, or do they play three safeties more often and give Chris Horton or Reed Doughty the task?

Look for a mix of both. Celek benefits from the attention paid to his teammates.

“You can’t double everybody,” secondary coach Jerry Gray said. “You can’t let Maclin, Westbrook and Jackson beat you.”

That opens things up for Celek, who likes to work between the hash marks like Redskins tight end Chris Cooley.

According to profootballfocus.com, Celek played 63 of 68 snaps last week at Oakland and lines up in a variety of spots but is primarily on the right side of the location.

His production has the Redskins’ attention.

“He catches a lot of quick stuff,” Doughty said. “He’s not going to flash crazy, but he runs the right routes. He gets open, and he doesn’t drop passes.”

THREE KEYS

1. Lines of communication

Instead of a Jim Zorn-Jason Campbell relay, the play call is now Sherm Lewis to Sherman Smith to Campbell. The Redskins have been called for only one unintentional delay of game penalty this year. That could change Monday if the new setup causes the Redskins to hurry to the line of scrimmage.

2. Carter’s continued impact

Donovan McNabb was sacked six times last week by Oakland, and the Eagles’ offensive line is banged up, although not as much as the Redskins’ mix-and-match unit. That should play right into Andre Carter’s hands. The defensive end has 4 1/2 sacks in the last two games and is taking advantage of one-on-one matchups.

3. Campbell’s confidence

Last week, Jason Campbell was benched for poor performance - a first in his 42-start career. He was reinstalled as the starter early in the week, but his confidence had to be shaken. A bad first half resulted in his benching. It will be key for the Redskins to see Campbell come out strong and put last week behind him.

THE EDGE

WHEN THE REDSKINS HAVE THE BALL

The Sherm Lewis Experiment begins against an active Philadelphia defense that seems to blitz even more under new coordinator Sean McDermott, which ultimately gives the Eagles an advantage. Lewis has been with the Redskins for less than three weeks, so it’s tough to expect a revamped game plan. Jason Campbell is back as the starter after being benched last week, and he has to be concerned about the Eagles’ secondary. Philadelphia has 11 interceptions in five games, including a combined seven by cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown. The Redskins might be able to take advantage of the middle of the field - middle linebacker Will Witherspoon was acquired Tuesday and will start Monday.

Edge: Eagles

WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL

In one way, the Redskins should be glad Philadelphia passes on 60 percent of its snaps - Washington’s defense is ranked 22nd against the run but was third against the pass entering play this week. Here’s the bad news: The Eagles have a ton of weapons with speedsters DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and should have success. “We better have our track shoes on,” Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers said. Tight end Brent Celek leads the team with 30 catches. Out of the backfield, Brian Westbrook has seven games with more than 100 multipurpose yards against the Redskins. Donovan McNabb, 10-7 against the Redskins, could be on the move if the returning-to-health Eagles offensive line is as leaky as it was last week in Oakland.

Edge: Eagles

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Redskins’ coverage teams better be on alert. The Eagles ranked third in punt returns, led by DeSean Jackson’s 15.8-yard average (and an 85-yard touchdown) and he scored on a 68-yard return last year against the Redskins. Washington isn’t doing much in the return game but ranked fourth in punt and kickoff coverage. Depending on the situation, look for Santana Moss to return at least one punt return - his lone attempt last week was 11 yards. The Redskins get punter Hunter Smith back for the first time since Oct. 4, and that combination, along with the active coverage units that have given up only one field-flipping return in six games, gets the advantage.

Edge: Redskins

EAGLES STARTERS

Offense

WR10DeSean Jackson

WR18Jeremy Maclin

LT71Jason Peters

LG79Todd Herremans

C67Jamaal Jackson

RG59Nick Cole

RT74Winston Justice

TE87Brent Celek

FB43Leonard Weaver

RB36Brian Westbrook

QB5Donovan McNabb

Defense

DE75Juqua Parker

DT98Mike Patterson

DT97Brodrick Bunkley

DE58Trent Cole

OLB56Akeem Jordan

MLB50Will Witherspoon

OLB57Chris Gocong

CB22Asante Samuel

CB24Sheldon Brown

FS27Quintin Mikell

SS35Macho Harris

Specialists

K2David Akers

P6Sav Rocca

PR10DeSean Jackson

KR31Ellis Hobbs

Injuries

Out: DE Victor Abiamiri (knee), WR Kevin Curtis (knee), LB Omar Gaither (foot), CB Dimitri Patterson (quadriceps, hand).

Questionable: G Todd Herremans (foot), DE Darren Howard (calf), G Max Jean-Gilles (shoulder), LT Jason Peters (knee/ankle).

Probable: CB Sheldon Brown (abdomen), QB Donovan McNabb (rib), DE Brodrick Bunkley (rib), G Nick Cole (knee), DT Antonio Dixon (hamstring), LB Akeem Jordan (hip), WR Jeremy Maclin (foot), RB Brian Westbrook (ankle), LB Will Witherspoon (gluteus muscle), LS Jon Dorenbos (foot).

REDSKINS STARTERS

Offense

WR89Santana Moss

WR11Devin Thomas

LT74Stephon Heyer

LG66Derrick Dockery

C61Casey Rabach

RG63Will Montgomery

RT71Mike Williams

TE47Chris Cooley

RB26Clinton Portis

FB45Mike Sellers

QB17Jason Campbell

Defense

DE99Andre Carter

DT96Cornelius Griffin

DT92Albert Haynesworth

DE93Phillip Daniels

OLB52Rocky McIntosh

MLB59London Fletcher

OLB98Brian Orakpo

CB23DeAngelo Hall

CB22Carlos Rogers

FS30LaRon Landry

SS37Reed Doughty

Specialists

K6Shaun Suisham

P3Hunter Smith

PR82Antwaan Randle El

KR31Rock Cartwright

KR46Ladell Betts

Injuries

Out: LT Chris Samuels (neck).

Questionable: DT Albert Haynesworth (ankle), RB Clinton Portis (ankle/calf).

Probable: CB DeAngelo Hall (knee), P Hunter Smith (groin), DT Cornelius Griffin (elbow).