Redskins have struggled against rookie QBs

Sunday’s matchup against the Eagles, then, seems opportune for a Redskins defense looking to establish some momentum. That would start with an effective pass rush, which has eluded the Redskins in recent weeks.

The Eagles have electric speed at the skill positions, but they will be miss at least two injured starters on their offensive line, and Foles is not nearly as mobile as Vick.

“This guy’s just a pocket passer, so we can just pin our ears back and rush him and don’t have to worry too much about staying in our lanes and our dots and things like that,” outside linebacker Rob Jackson said.

But the Redskins, of all teams, must be wary of a rookie quarterback. They haven’t beaten one since a victory over Ryan Fitzpatrick and the St. Louis Rams in December 2005.

Washington’s eight-game losing streak against rookie quarterbacks is in the longest since 1950, when quarterbacks were first tracked, according to STATS.

Three of those losses have occurred since coach Mike Shanahan took over in 2010. Unfamiliarity with a rookie quarterback is problematic, Shanahan said. They have studied Foles extensively to try to help break the streak — and get the season back on a satisfactory course.

“You get a chance to go back into preseason, but you just really don’t know for sure,” Shanahan said. “We were lucky enough to have him for a week at the Senior Bowl; not that you know everything about him. He’s a great kid with a lot of ability.”

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