While the Redskins have had much greater success on special teams this season, they have their biggest task to date this season on Saturday: stopping Darren Sproles.
While DeSean Jackson, Kirk Cousins and the Redskins offense will get plenty of attention Saturday evening when Washington takes on the Philadelphia Eagles, the quiet matchup that could make the difference is on special teams.
A look back at some of the top images in games between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Washington Redskins Sean Taylor(21) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 11, 2007 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. The Eagles beat the Redskins 33-25.(AP Photo/David Durochik)
Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, left, is congratulated by his Philadelphia Eagles counterpart, Randall Cunningham following the Redskins 10-3 upset win in NFL game at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, Nov. 13, 1989. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor (36) is upended by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) after his interception of McNabb's pass in the third quarter Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, in Philadelphia. Behind them is Eagles' guard Hank Fraley (63) and tackle Tra Thomas (72). (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Philadelphia Eagles tight end L.J. Smith is pulled down by Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari)
Quarterback Doug Williams (17) of the Washington Redskins releases a pass n a 17 - 10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 18, 1988 at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Washington Redskins Art Monk catches a 16-yard second quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Mark Rypien as Philadelphia Eagles Eric Allen watches during Wildcard playoff game Saturday, Jan. 5, 1991 at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Washington Redskins tackle Jermaine Haley causes Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) to fumble in the second quarter Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, in Philadelphia. The Redskins recovered on the play. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Eagles' Terry Tautolo tackles Washington Redskins' John Riggins, but is too late to keep Riggins from scoring a touchdown after catching a pass during game at Philadelphia, Oct. 7, 1979. (AP Photo/Steven Falk)
Washington Redskins Dexter Manley sacks Philadelphia Eagles Randall Cunningham for a loss of five yards in first quarter NFL action in their game at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, Nov. 13, 1989. Cunningham fumbled the ball and the Redskins recovered en route to a 10-3 win. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Billy Barnes (32) Washington Redskins back, keeps tight grip on the ball as he scores touchdown from 3-yard line despite swarm of Philadelphia Eagles defenders in second period of Eagles - Redskins pro-football game in Philadelphia on Oct. 21, 1962. Trying to stop Barnes are Eagles backs Bob Harrison (42) and Mike McClellan (23). At top is Redskins end Bill Anderson (42), Redskins won, 27-21. (AP Photo/Bill Ingraham)
Philadelphia Eagles' Greg Lewis, left, and J.R. Reed, center, chase Washington Redskins' Ladell Betts (46) as Betts returns the opening kickoff 70 yards Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004, in Landover, Md. The play set up a short touchdown run for Clinton Portis. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Philadelphia Eagles fullback Clarence Peaks (26) is brought down by Washington Redskin tackle Will Renfro (71) after a six-yard first quarter running gain at Griffith Stadium, Dec. 6, 1959, Washington, D.C. Swarming in on Peaks is fullback Chuck Drazenovich (36) and end Ed Meadows (83), both of Washington. In the background is Chuck Bednarik (60), Eagles center. (AP Photo/Tom Fitzsimmons)
Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis (26) scores a third-quarter touchdown past Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins (20) and safety Michael Lewis (32), Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
In the return game, the Redskins must find a way to keep Darren Sproles – who was one of two return specialists selected this week for the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl – at bay.
Sproles, an 11-year veteran out of Kansas State, currently leads the NFL in punt return yards (446) and is the only player to score twice on punt returns.
The 5-foot-6, 190 pounder scored an 89-yard punt return touchdown in an Eagles victory over the New York Jets in September, then scored once again from 83 yards out in Philadelphia's upset win over the New England Patriots earlier this month.
"Darren Sproles does a really good job," said fullback Darrel Young, who is tied for second on the Redskins in special teams tackles with seven. "There's a reason he made the Pro Bowl being a returner. He's definitely one of those guys you have to account for. They've been winning a lot of games on special teams. Not saying the rest of the team isn't playing good, but they're playing good and they've got some key guys over there."
Recently signed Redskins running back Pierre Thomas, who played with Sproles for three seasons with the New Orleans Saints from 2011-2013, said Sproles is a special talent due to the work he puts in day in and day out.
"He works hard day in, day out," Thomas said. "I see him even through walkthrough, it's called walkthrough for a reason [as] you're trying to pace yourself, this dude is taking off. He's not walking. He's full-go from the beginning of practice until the end of practice. He's a hard work and he shows that. He works on all the little details of certain things, and I know if he drops the ball he's always working to catch extra after the practice. He's a pro, he's a vet. He understands the nature of this game and what it takes to be a great player. As he's shown to the world, he's one of the elite players in this league."
As the Redskins have an opportunity to seize their second NFC East title in four seasons, they'll need contributions from all active players tomorrow evening.
For some, it's been the culmination of years of hard work with the team, for others, they've only been in Washington for a short time period.
Regardless, the special teams haven't missed a beat with the constant roster changes this season.
"That's the goal and that's basically what you've got to do to be in a good position in this league," Young said of younger players and newcomers contributing on offense. "You've got to start somewhere. Everyone has played special teams in this league unless, you were a first-round pick, everyone's covered a kick and done something to help special teams-wise. Just having some of our roles, like myself and some other guys, that's what we're here to do."
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