Eagles vs. Redskins Odds

Every ingredient of a good rivalry is found in the annual series between the Eagles and Redskins – down-to-wire clashes, superstars who played on both teams and some good ol’ Northeast region partisan fandom.

Like most of the NFC East rivalries, Eagles-Redskins can be difficult for bettors, with no history of one team dominating the other over the past 40 years.

Each team is slightly above .500 at home against the other. Outcomes vary between double digits and nail-biters. Of the 37 showdowns since the start of 2000 through 2018, 21 have been decided by one possession – slightly more than 50 percent.

The series entering 2019 has produced 52 contests in which 50 combined or more points were scored and 40 games in which 30 or fewer combined points were scored.

Eagles vs. Redskins History

It also helps this rivalry began in a sports-crazed city that Philadelphians have a special distaste for – Boston.

The origin of the Eagles and Redskins rivalry begins in Beantown, where the Redskins first called home before moving to the nation’s capital in 1937, four years after the first Eagles-Redskins game was played.

The location change didn’t take away from the growing rivalry’s authenticity. The move only put these rivals closer. These days, the teams travel by Amtrak to face each other. Fans commonly travel up or down Interstate 95 to invade the other team's venue, which always makes for an – ahem – interesting mix in the concourses.

The Redskins lead the rivalry, 86-78-6 and won the only postseason showdown between them, a 20-6 win in the 1991 wild-card game in Philly.

The Redskins won 15 of their first 17 games against the Eagles, including an 11-game win streak from 1937-1942. In 1947, the Eagles began an eight-game win streak that stretched to 1950. They went 8-1 against the'Skins from 1959-1963 but Washington went 17-3-3 against the Eagles in a 23-game span that carried to 1974.

Since the start of 2000, the Eagles have held the advantage over Washington with a 23-15 mark.

Great Eagles-Redskins Games

The 28-14 Eagles blowout at Veterans Stadium on Nov. 12, 1990, will forever be known as the “Body Bag Game.” Almost a dozen Redskins, including starting quarterback Jeff Rutledge and his backup, exited because of injuries on “Monday Night Football,” causing one Eagles player to scream, “Do you guys need any more body bags?”

The game ended with Redskins rookie running back Brian Mitchell at quarterback. Brash and outspoken Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan’s star-studded defense, led by Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White, held Washington to 200 total yards and racked up five sacks.

Less than a month later, on Jan. 5, 1991, the Eagles and Redskins met for a rare NFC East-style showdown in the wild-card round at Veterans Stadium. The Redskins exacted revenge, sacking dual-threat quarterback Randall Cunningham five times and holding the Eagles scoreless in the second half en route to the 20-6 upset. It’s the only time these teams have met in the postseason.

Infamous Eagles-Redskins Moments

On Oct. 3, 2010, six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb returned to Philly for the first time since the Eagles traded him to the rival Redskins on Easter Sunday earlier that year, jettisoning the most successful quarterback in team history to the team’s archrivals. McNabb passed for just 125 yards and one touchdown but Washington claimed the 17-12 win.

On April 2, 2014, the Redskins signed wide receiver DeSean Jackson to a three-year deal just weeks after Eagles coach Chip Kelly abruptly and controversially released the elite deep threat following a Pro Bowl season.

Jackson caught an 81-yard touchdown in his first game in Philly against the Eagles, but the Eagles still managed a 37-34 win. In December, at FedEx Field, Jackson’s 126 receiving yards keyed a Redskins 27-24 win that sent the Eagles to their third straight loss and prevented them from making the playoffs.

Notable Players

McNabb, Jackson and quarterback Sonny Jurgenson are the most prominent names to have played for both teams.

McNabb played just one season with the Redskins despite signing a long-term deal after the trade. He went just 5-8 as a starter. With the Eagles, Jurgenson led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns in 1961 to earn All-Pro. The Hall of Famer joined the Redskins in 1964 and made four Pro Bowls in 11 seasons with Washington, leading the NFL in passing yards for three seasons.

Jackson, who rejoined the Eagles in 2018 via trade with Tampa Bay, played the villain on each side of the rivalry. He is both the Eagles’ all-time leader in touchdowns of 60 or more yards (4) against the Redskins and has the second-most touchdowns of 60 or more yards (2) all-time by a Redskins player against the Eagles.

Pro Bowl return specialist/running back Brian Mitchell spent his first 10 seasons with the Redskins and led the NFL in all-purpose yards four times before joining the Eagles in 2000. He spent three seasons in Philadelphia, averaging more than 25 yards per kick return there.

Eagles vs Redskins FAQs

• What is the Eagles all-time record against the Redskins?
  The Eagles are 78-85-6 all-time against the Redskins, including 0-1 in the postseason.
• When do the Eagles and Redskins play next?
  These teams play each other in the 2019 season opener on Sept. 8, 2009, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
• When did the Eagles and Redskins first play?
  The first meeting between the Eagles and Redskins happened on Oct. 21, 1934 at Fenway Park in Boston.
• Who won the first meeting between the Eagles and Redskins?
  The Redskins won 6-0.