PLAYER NOTES
–DE Jonathan Allen has eight sacks in 2018 after adding another one against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.
–K Dustin Hopkins has made four 50-yard field goals in 2018 to match a franchise record help by himself and three other kickers (Graham Gano, Mark Moseley and John Hall.
–OLB Ryan Kerrigan needS two sacks in the season finalE against Philadelphia to set his career high (14).
–TE Jordan Reed (ankle/foot) missed the Jacksonville and Tennessee games and was not at practice on Wednesday. His status for Sunday’s finale against the Eagles is uncertain.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: QB Josh Johnson. Started consecutive games for the first time since Week 6 and 7 of the 2009 season. Johnson, playing for injured quarterbacks Alex Smith and Colt McCoy and ahead of backup Mark Sanchez, was 13-for-23 and 153 passing yards, a touchdown and two interceptions against the Titans last Saturday. He had 22 rushing yards. In three games Johnson has 20 carries for 116 yards and a touchdown.
GAME PLAN: The Redskins have nothing to play for after being eliminated from playoff contention with Saturday’s heartbreaking loss to Tennessee. Washington led 16-12 with under five minutes to play.
That doesn’t mean they can afford to lay down. Head coach Jay Gruden’s two-year contract extension kicks in after the season, but he has now missed the playoffs four times in five years. The Redskins have never fallen apart. After a 4-12 start to Gruden’s tenure, they have gone 9-7 with an NFC East title, 8-7-1, 7-9 and enter the 2018 finale 7-8. They are 31-31-1 – the definition of mediocrity. Gruden will probably return given his contract status, but he’s not getting another one and will head into his sixth year needing to make the playoffs to keep his seat from becoming scorching hot.
Considering the Eagles (8-7), defending Super Bowl champs, must win and have the Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1) lose, the Redskins will have their work cut out to match Philadelphia’s intensity.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Redskins S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix vs. Eagles TE Zach Ertz. Clinton-Dix was brought on in midseason to help stabilize the safety position next to D.J. Swearinger, who was cut this week. Clinton-Dix has struggled to tackle in space and has been an adventure at times in coverage. He’ll have to play well to slow Ertz, who has 113 catches for 1,148 yards and eight touchdowns. Tight ends have long hurt the Redskins. This weekend should be no different.
–Eagles DT Fletcher Cox vs. Redskins G Tony Bergstrom. Cox has 7.5 sacks and has long tormented Washington. But this time the Redskins don’t have Pro Bowler Brandon Scherff (torn pectoral muscle) in place to hold up the interior. Cox will likely put pocket pressure on QB Josh Johnson. Bergstrom hasn’t played since the Redskins last saw the Eagles in Philadelphia on Dec. 3, but he’s by far the most experienced guard option as injuries have decimated the position. He was limited at practice on Wednesday, but the hope is he can play next to center Chase Roullier. Cox had a sack in the last game against the Redskins, but he is playing hurt, too.
