The last four times NFC East rivals the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles have met, the Redskins have come out on top.*
In the NFL, beating a divisional rival is a hard task. It's even more difficult to beat them twice in the same season.
But the Redskins have been very successful lately against the rival Philadelphia Eagles, defeating them four straight times dating back to 2014.
The Redskins look for their second consecutive season sweep of the Eagles as they face Philadelphia on Sunday.
The current winning streak started in week 16 of 2014, when the then 3-11 Redskins played spoilers to a contending Eagles team. A 26-yard field goal from Kai Forbath with six seconds left gave the Redskins a 27-24 lead, ultimately eliminating the Eagles from playoff contention.
In 2015, a touchdown pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins to receiver Pierre Garçon with 26 seconds propelled the Redskins to a week 4, 23-20 victory. In Week 16, a Redskins offensive explosion led them to a 38-24 victory, clinching a second NFC East crown in four years.
In Week 6 of the 2016 season, the Redskins defeated Philadelphia 27-20, holding Philadelphia to just 239 total yards and 145 passing yards.
"Yeah, you know, again we were consistent from start to finish. We played well," defensive coordinator Joe Barry said on the Redskins' week 6 victory. "We played the run well, we rushed the quarterback well. I think when you do those things throughout the course of a ballgame, that's what you're looking for from a consistency standpoint. So, it was a good day for us all the way around, and, you know, we didn't really do anything special. We just played hard. We made plays."
Although the Eagles have struggled as of late, they are 4-1 at Lincoln Financial Field. Despite dropping two straight, the Redskins, meanwhile, are still in the thick of the Wild Card race. As they continue to fight for a playoff spot, they can't take Philadelphia lightly.
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)
Over the Redskins' four-game winning-streak over the Eagles, three of those wins have been decided by seven points or less. The Redskins are ready for another tough game with Philadelphia.
Stopping quarterback Carson Wentz will be key in order to bring home a victory. Although the rookie has struggled, the Redskins know the capabilities he has.
"He can stand in the pocket and make all the throws," Barry said. "They've done a great job with him. They've not held back with him at all, they've turned it over to him and he's running the show. [He's a] very good player and a guy that's something to deal with – both in the passing game with his arm and then obviously with creating with his feet."
"He's very athletic and any time you have an athletic quarterback that can extend plays, that can become very dangerous," defensive lineman Chris Baker said. "We're going have to do a very good job of containing him and keeping him in the pocket, making him uncomfortable like we did in the last game."
A week ago, the Redskins struggled to get off the field on third down. In the Week 6 clash, the Eagles were just 4-of 12 on third down.
Getting off the field and keeping the ball in the offense's hands will be key for Washington as they hope to press the winning streak to five games over Philadelphia.
"We feel like we did let this football team down the last two football games, and it just boils down to getting off the field on third down, getting the ball back for our offense," safety Donte Whitner Sr. said. "Some of those drives would be ended if we get off on third down and we wouldn't allow them to get points. If you get the opportunity to make a stop on third down, you make it. If you get the opportunity to make a play on the football, you make it. That's what it boils down to – that third down, not letting them extend drives and not giving them points and we'll be ok."
