As the Washington Redskins get closer to the start of another season, Redskins.com will preview all 16 of the team's regular season games starting with today's look against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles finished in fourth place in the NFC East in 2016 and were swept by the Redskins for the second consecutive season, but added two veteran wide receivers who have 1,000-yard seasons under their belts.
Last Game vs. Philadelphia at FedExField: Won 27-20 on Oct. 16, 2016
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Philadelphia's Key Additions:** Signed WR Torrey Smith (San Francisco), signed WR Alshon Jeffrey (Chicago), signed DE Chris Long (New England), traded for DT Timmy Jernigan (Baltimore), drafted DE Derek Barnett (Tennessee)
Philadelphia's Key Subtractions: CB Leodis McKelvin (released; free agent), QB Chase Daniel (released; signed with New Orleans), DE Connor Barwin (released' signed with Los Angeles Rams)
Philadelphia's Pro Bowlers: T Jason Peters, DT Fletcher Cox
The Redskins will look to add on a sixth consecutive victory over their NFC East rivals in the regular season opener at FedExField. Dating back to Week 16 of the 2014 season, Washington has won five straight games over Philadelphia including a thrilling 27-20 home victory in Week 6 last year.
If the Redskins defeat the Eagles in Week 1 to push that winning streak to six games, it will mark the first time the team has posted a six-game winning streak in the series dating back to the 1981-84 seasons.
But while Philadelphia finished last in the NFC East in 2016 for the first time since 2012, the Eagles made significant offseason changes starting with adding receiving threats for quarterback Carson Wentz.
Without a 1,000-yard wide receiver over the past two seasons, the Eagles signed two veterans who have toppled the mark a combined three times.
On March 9, Philadelphia announced the signings of Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffrey.
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)
Despite coming off a career low in receiving yards (267) in his second season with the San Francisco 49ers, Smith is still just 28 years old. In 2014, he recorded 11 receiving touchdowns.
Jeffrey, meanwhile, joins the Eagles after five seasons with the Chicago Bears. In his only two seasons in which he's appeared in all 16 regular season games, the South Carolina product has recorded at least 1,100 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Philadelphia also drafted running back Donnel Pumphrey out of San Diego State and West Virginia wide receiver Shelton Gibson.
Pumphrey is the all-time leading rusher in NCAA Division 1-A history (6,405 yards).
The Eagles also signed former first-round pick Chance Warmack to compete for playing time at guard.
Defensively, the Eagles parted ways with defensive end Connor Barwin.
The 30-year-old spent four seasons in Philadelphia and recorded a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2014, but recorded just five sacks in 2016.
In his place, the Eagles signed defensive end Chris Long, the No. 2-overall pick, and drafted Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett with the No. 14-overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
After injury-filled seasons in his final two years with the Rams, Long appeared in all 16 regular season games for the New England Patriots in 2016 and recorded 35 tackles with four sacks and three passes defensed. Barnett, meanwhile, set a new record for career sacks at Tennessee with 33, one more than Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White.
One potential X-factor in this matchup that's still months away is running back Chris Thompson, who has given Philadelphia fits at times.
The Eagles' defense was tied for the third most 20-plus-yard runs given up (14) in 2016, one of which was a 25-yard game-winning run by Thompson in Week 14 last season.
Thompson recorded a career-long 42-yard run against Philadelphia in 2015 and logged a receiving touchdown in Washington's NFC East-clinching victory in Week 16 that year as well.
