Arizona heads east to the D.C. area as the Redskins are in position to sweep this series for the second time in three seasons.

Eight weeks ago on a Sunday night (ESPN) at Sun Devil Stadium (Week 6), Redskins' rookie CB Champ Bailey totaled three interceptions, returning one of Jake Plummer's two miscues 59 yards for a score, and the Washington defense limited the Cardinals to just 67 yards rushing as Norv Turner's club posted a 24-10 victory.

While Washington still owns a 65-43-2 overall advantage in this series, it's been mostly Arizona as of late as the Cardinals have won nine of the last 13 meetings dating back to 1993 (this after going just 5-29 vs. the Redskins from 1976-92) despite this year's earlier setback.

As for the Cards' last road tilt in this rivalry (Week 12 of '98), Vince Tobin's club jumped out to a 31-0 second-quarter lead, only to watch the 'Skins rally behind since-departed QB Trent Green (30-of-49, 382 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 1 TD run), who drew his team to within three points (38-35) in the fourth quarter. But Plummer (17-of-28, 251 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 3 TD runs) scored his third touchdown of the day with 3:49 to play which proved to be the difference in an incredible 45-42 win.

After dropping 14 consecutive road games in this rivalry from 1979-92, the Cardinals have prevailed in four of their last six visits to Washington dating back to 1993.

Worth noting is that eight of the last 11 games in this series dating back to 1994 (7 won by the Cardinals) have been decided by six or fewer points, including three in overtime.

Numbers: Including playoffs, the Cardinals have forced 44 turnovers in 16 wins, but have just 21 takeaways in 14 losses dating back to '98. The Cardinals have scored 91 points in their last four games (4-0), this after scoring just 92 points in their first eight contests (2-6) in '99. They have scored 130 points in six wins, 53 points in six losses in '99. The Cardinals have been outscored a combined 83-16 in the first quarter in 12 games in '99.

RB Stephen Davis has rushed for 1,146 yards and 16 touchdowns in 12 games in 1999, running for 100-plus yards in five of those contests. In his three previous seasons (1996-98), Davis rushed for 815 yards and five touchdowns in 42 games and had failed to gain 100 or more yards rushing in any of those contests. In his last 23 games dating back to '98, Redskins WR Michael Westbrook has caught 94 passes for 1,710 yards and 13 touchdowns, totaling 100 or more yards receiving in eight of those games. In his three previous seasons (1995-97), Westbrook caught 102 passes for 1,586 yards and just five touchdowns in 35 games and totaled 100 or more yards receiving in just 2 of those contests.

After allowing a team-record 61 sacks in 16 games in '98 (3 or more sacks in 13 of those contests), Redskins have allowed 20 sacks in 12 games in '99, 3 or more sacks in just 3 of those 12 contests. The Redskins have allowed six sacks in seven wins, 14 sacks in five losses in '99. Since 1993, the Redskins have given up 130 or more yards rushing in 54-of-108 games, 200 or more yards on the ground in 12 of those contests, while limiting the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in just 24 of those 108 games. They have committed 15 turnovers in their last five games (2-3) after committing just seven turnovers in their first seven contests (5-2) in '99. The Redskins have allowed 139 points in seven wins, 181 points in five losses in '99. After scoring just 93 points in their first seven games (0-7), the Redskins have scored 573 points in their last 21 contests (13-8) dating back to '98.

Things to look for: Talk about a reversal of fortune. The Cardinals were merely an afterthought just a month ago and now find themselves playing for first place in the forgettable NFC East. The key has been the improved play of Arizona's offensive front and the return of QB Jake Plummer. Meanwhile, the Redskins have that shaky look once again on both sides of the ball and may have to hold on for dear life.

Etc.: The Cardinals have won four straight games. WR Rob Moore (9,254) needs 21 yards to tie Raymond Berry (9,275) for 19th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list.

Redskins WR Irving Fryar (12,105) needs 41 yards to tie Charlie Joiner (12,146) for 7th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list.