By Scott Garbarini, Associate NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - The Washington Redskins used a landmark victory on the road over an NFC East power last week to build on a strong early-season resume. The surging club will attempt to duplicate that feat in this Sunday's showdown with the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles from Lincoln Financial Field.

Back-to-back home wins over New Orleans and Arizona, following a season- opening setback to the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants, offered proof that the Redskins were headed in the right direction under first-year head coach Jim Zorn. But Washington's status in the NFC's hierarchy has since skyrocketed following its 26-24 decision over a Dallas team that had been almost universally considered this year's heir to the conference throne last Sunday at Texas Stadium.

The Redskins pulled off the upset by utilizing a potent clock-eating running game and another remarkably efficient performance under center from rising star quarterback Jason Campbell. Washington kept the Cowboys' quick-strike offense under wraps by possessing the football for over 38 minutes, thanks to a ground attack that churned out 161 yards in an overpowering display.

Campbell did his part as well by throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns in another mistake-free outing. The fourth-year signal-caller has yet to be intercepted in 124 pass attempts this season and has delivered a passer rating over 100 in each of Washington's three straight wins.

While the Redskins come in to Philadelphia with a jolt of confidence, the Eagles return home with a sense of urgency following last week's tough 24-20 loss at Chicago. The defeat left Andy Reid's squad at 2-2 after the season's first month and currently at the bottom of the standings in the highly- competitive NFC East.

The Eagles did have their chances to leave Soldier Field victorious last Sunday, but an offense that was missing dynamic running back Brian Westbrook managed just one touchdown in four trips to the red zone. On Philadelphia's final visit deep inside Chicago territory, Correll Buckhalter was denied on a 4th-and-goal from the Bears one-yard line with under four minutes to play.

Kicker David Akers also missed two longer-distance field goal attempts for the Eagles, who lost five times by four points or less during a disappointing 8-8 finish last season.

Westbrook sat out the Chicago game after spraining his right ankle during Philly's 15-6 home triumph over Pittsburgh in Week 3, and it's unclear as to whether the All-Pro back will be in uniform for Sunday's pivotal tilt. He did practice on a limited basis early in the week.

Philadelphia has won both of its home games this season, outscoring St. Louis and Pittsburgh by a 53-9 margin. However, the Redskins did come away with a 20-12 victory at Lincoln Financial Field during Week 2 of last season.

SERIES HISTORY

The Redskins hold a 75-65-5 lead in their all-time series with the Eagles, including an unconventional home-and-home split last season. As mentioned above, Washington earned a 20-12 Monday night win at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 2 of 2007, and were also 33-25 home losers when the clubs met at FedEx Field in Week 10. The Eagles swept the 2006 home-and-home.

In addition to their regular season advantage, the Redskins won the only postseason meeting between the clubs, a 20-6 road triumph in a 1990 NFC First- Round Playoff.

Reid is 12-6 versus the Redskins since taking over in 1999, Zorn will be meeting both Reid and the Eagles for the first time as a head coach.

WHEN THE REDSKINS HAVE THE BALL

Washington's ability to run the ball and Campbell's excellent recent play have made the offense tough to defend during the team's current winning streak, as evidenced by the 381 total yards the unit put up against the Cowboys. The emergence of Campbell (878 passing yards, 6 TD, 0 INT), whose 102.2 quarterback rating is the second-best in the NFC, has coincided with an explosive start by wide receiver Santana Moss (27 receptions, 3 TD). The dangerous deep threat has racked up 421 receiving yards already this season and burned Dallas for 145 yards on eight catches in last week's win. Fellow wideout Antwaan Randle El (18 receptions, 1 TD) and Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley (17 receptions) have also performed well in Zorn's West Coast offense, while a seasoned front wall headlined by five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels has only allowed a very respectable seven sacks thus far.

The offensive line also paved the way for a season-high 121-yard day from running back Clinton Portis (369 rushing yards, 3 TD, 6 receptions) that was instrumental to the Redskins' downing of Dallas. Washington enters Sunday's test ranked 11th in the league in rushing offense (132.5 ypg) and ninth in total offense (342.0 ypg), with Portis having posted at least 21 carries in every game this year.

Portis will be challenged by a Philadelphia defense that is yielding a stingy 53.8 rushing yards per game and 2.6 yards per attempt, both of which top the NFL. The Eagles smothered Pittsburgh's Willie Parker (13 carries, 20 yards) in their Week 3 win, then limited Bears rookie standout Matt Forte to a paltry 43 yards on 19 totes this past Sunday. Weakside linebacker Omar Gaither (22 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 PD) had nine solo tackles last week and heads up a young and talented three-man group that also consists of second-year pro Stewart Bradley (23 tackles, 1 sack) in the middle and converted end Chris Gocong (8 tackles, 1 sack) on the strong side. Strong safety and leading tackler Quintin Mikell (29 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack) adds another capable stopper to the team's formidable front seven.

The Eagles will be attempting to disrupt Campbell's timing with a blitz-heavy scheme that has accounted for a league-high 17 sacks so far and took down the Bears' Kyle Orton four times a week ago. Orton was still able to find some soft spots in Philadelphia's usually solid secondary, however, as the improving quarterback threw three first-half touchdown passes, all from 19 yards out or more. Disruptive ends Juqua Parker (11 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and Trent Cole (17 tackles, 2 sacks) will be out to ensure Campbell doesn't do the same on Sunday, while playmaking cornerback Asante Samuel (9 tackles, 2 INT, 7 PD) figures to be shadowing Moss for much of the afternoon.

WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL

Since Westbrook is likely to be at less than 100 percent even if he does play, look for quarterback Donovan McNabb (1100 passing yards, 6 TD, 2 INT) to be throwing extensively once again on Sunday. That's usually been the case even when Westbrook's been available, since the Eagles are fifth in the NFL in passing offense (276.3 ypg) but only 24th in rushing yards (88.5 ypg). Flashy rookie DeSean Jackson (22 receptions, 327 yards, 1 TD) has quickly become McNabb's new favorite target with fellow wide receiver Kevin Curtis still recovering from preseason sports hernia surgery, while No. 2 wideout Reggie Brown showed he's recovered from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the season's first two games by registering team-highs of six catches and 79 yards against the Bears. The Eagles expect to get another key contributor to the passing game back in the fold this week, as tight end L.J. Smith (6 receptions, 1 TD) is set to play after sitting out last week with an ailing back.

Washington comes in ranked just 23rd overall in pass defense (223.0), but keep in mind that the team has had to face Drew Brees, Kurt Warner and Tony Romo in consecutive weeks. The Redskins have come up with four interceptions during that stretch, three of which have been made by rookie safety Chris Horton (10 tackles, 3 PD). Veteran Shawn Springs (13 tackles) single-handedly held Cowboys star Terrell Owens in check during the first half of last week's win, but the top-shelf cornerback exited the game with a calf strain in the third quarter and may be a game-time decision on Sunday. The Redskins will almost certainly be without standout end Jason Taylor (7 tackles, 1 sack) for a second straight contest, as the perennial Pro Bowler is still making his way back from a recent procedure on his calf. The defense has recorded only six sacks through the first four weeks.

The Redskins have allowed a mere 92.3 yards per game on the ground (11th overall), although that statistic was aided by Dallas' complete abandonment of the running game during last week's matchup. Opponents are averaging 4.3 yards per carry on a defense which is led by 11th-year middle linebacker London Fletcher (36 tackles), who you will annually find listed among the league's leading tacklers at season's end. Weakside starter Rocky McIntosh (26 tackles, 0.5 sacks) has been very active in the early going as well, while veteran Marcus Washington (13 tackles) and sophomore H.B. Blades (12 tackles) generally split time on the strong side due to the former's penchant for nagging injuries.

Philadelphia got by pretty well with Buckhalter (114 rushing yards, 10 receptions, 2 total TD) carrying the load in place of Westbrook (161 rushing yards, 8 receptions, 5 total TD) last week, with the longtime backup delivering an effective 66 yards on 16 rushes against Chicago. The Eagles struggled mightily in short-yardage situations in the loss, however, and seems to have missed the dominating presence of standout Shawn Andrews up front. The powerful right guard has been absent for the team's last two tilts with back spasms and is not expected to be ready for the Redskins.

FANTASY FOCUS

The primary fantasy question regarding this game obviously centers on Westbrook, with his owners facing a potential make-or-break decision. The gut feeling here is that he'll play but have limited touches, although that still may justify keeping a spot open for the touchdown-producing machine in the lineup. Check the injury report up until the Sunday deadline, however, before making your final choice. If Westbrook does play, Buckhalter isn't a particularly attractive option. There's no mystery as to who will be carrying the ball for Washington, and Portis should still be a decent play even though he's going up against an excellent run defense. Both quarterbacks should have plenty of throwing opportunities and a chance to put up strong numbers, so feel free to use either this week. Moss is a clear-cut No. 1 receiver right now who makes for a must-start, and Cooley has been one of the more reliable fantasy tight ends over the past few years. For Philadelphia, Jackson has proven himself worthy to be an every-week starter, while Brown's strong game a week ago has made him fantasy-relevant once again.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Not many expected Philadelphia to be the team entering this matchup in last place in the division and coming off a loss, and it would be certainly no surprise if the Eagles rebound strongly in their own building. Last week's shortcoming in Chicago could be chalked up to simply an off night, if not for the team's problems in tight games that led to Philly's downfall last season. The Eagles could very well be locked in one of those nail-biters again on Sunday, as last week's big win in Dallas showed that the Redskins are not an opponent to be taken lightly. Campbell has been nearly flawless in running an offense that's far more balanced than that of the Eagles, and he's gotten good protection from a line that is the best Philadelphia has faced since its shootout loss to the Cowboys back in Week 2. Look for the Eagles to move the ball well between the 20's on a Redskins defense that will bend but hasn't broken much, and for their red-zone woes to come up and bite the team once more.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Redskins 24, Eagles 23