Philadelphia @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 23, 2012 ) Washington 27, Philadelphia 20

The biggest question mark of the offseason and one of the biggest mysteries entering the season will finally be answered when the Washington Redskins host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night in a clash of NFC East rivals. Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will take his first snap since tearing knee ligaments in a playoff loss to Seattle last season. Questions abound over what Philadelphia's offense will look like under Chip Kelly, who makes his NFL coaching debut.

Griffin, the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, was held out of the preseason by coach Mike Shanahan despite his repeated pronouncements that he was healthy and ready to go. Kelly, who presided over a fast-break offense at Oregon that piled up points at a video-game pace, also had a hot-button topic at quarterback before settling on veteran Michael Vick as his starter. Kelly had an unwelcome distraction when a video surfaced of wide receiver Riley Cooper uttering a racial slur, leading to the brief banishment from training camp for Cooper.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Redskins -3.5. O/U 52.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (2012: 4-12, fourth NFC East): How Kelly's offense translates to the NFL is the biggest question mark and the key to its success revolves around Vick, who has seen his effectiveness diminish due to a combination of injuries and repeated turnovers. Running back LeSean McCoy saw his rushing touchdowns dwindle from 20 in 2011 to five last season but he seems like an ideal fit for Kelly's schemes, as does speedy wideout DeSean Jackson, whose production also took a major dip a year ago. Team harmony was tested by the remarks of Cooper, who was involved in a practice skirmish on Thursday, while the defense is also under fire after getting torched for nearly 28 points per game in 2012.

ABOUT THE REDSKINS (2012: 10-6, first NFC East): Griffin set NFL rookie quarterback records for both passer rating (102.4) and rushing yards (815) but he was not the only first-year player to make an enormous impact. Sixth-round pick Alfred Morris was second in the league with 1,613 rushing yards, including seven 100-yard games, as the Redskins amassed a league-best 169.3 yards per game on the ground. Top wideout Pierre Garcon was hobbled by a foot injury for much of the season and tight end Fred Davis missed the final nine games with a torn Achilles' tendon. The defensive front remains in flux, but an already-strong linebacking corps receives a boost with the return of Brian Orapko, who has 29.5 sacks in 49 career games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Griffin threw for six touchdowns in Washington's two wins over Philadelphia last season, including a perfect passer rating (158.3) in one game.

2. The Eagles lost 11 of 12 to close out last season but Vick has won his last three starts against the Redskins.

3. Washington finished last season on a seven-game win streak in its surprising run to the division title.

PREDICTION: Redskins 23, Eagles 20