Nick Foles hasn’t played his best through two weeks, but he hasn’t folded in the face of adversity. In both of the team’s victories, he’s picked up his game and made some big throws in the later stages of each game. I expect Foles to make improvements and slowly settle himself in as he adjusts to what defenses are throwing at him to begin the season.
Kirk Cousins gets the start for Robert Griffin. Griffin went down last week with a dislocated ankle, and is out for an extended period of time. Griffin had been performing poorly, so Cousins’ presence in the lineup is a welcome sight for a lot of Washington fans. The offense came to life once Cousins was inserted into the game, and many believe that he’s a better fit for Jay Gruden’s scheme than Griffin.
Cousins is a guy who has turned the ball over quite a bit in limited action, with 10 career picks in just a handful of appearances.
Advantage: Eagles
Running Backs
LeSean McCoy has piled up some decent yardage through two games, but he hasn’t been able to truly break loose and take over a game like we know he’s capable of doing. Even in an off day, he’s still pretty darn effective. Darren Sproles has been the true star of the offense through two games, and the Eagles would not have won either match without him. He’s proven that he’s still an electric gamebreaker that defenses must fear.
Alfred Morris is a solid, powerful runner that can pick up tough yards and is a threat on the goalline. Morris picked up two scores last week against Jacksonville. Morris doesn’t offer much as a receiver, but the Redskins bring Roy Helu into the mix to give them a receiving threat out of the backfield.
Advantage: Eagles
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jeremy Maclin has been the only consistent playmaker for the Eagles at receiver through two weeks. He’s caught two key touchdown receptions. Outside of Maclin, Riley Cooper has been invisible, and Jordan Matthews has had some drops.
Zach Ertz has been off to a great start at the tight end position, catching seven passes for 163 yards so far. He seems to be headed for the breakout year that many envisioned for him.
DeSean Jackson is officially listed as questionable for this game with a shoulder injury, but its expected that DeSean won’t miss this opportunity to suit up against his old team. Pierre Garcon is a tough weapon who works intermediate routes well and led the league in receptions a year ago.
Tight end Niles Paul comes off of a game where he caught seven passes for over 90 yards and a touchdown.
Advantage: Even
Offensive Line
The Eagles’ makeshift offensive line fared pretty well against the Colts last week. Granted the Colts have no playmakers to speak of, but it was going to be difficult for them to go on the road and perform as well as they did. They didn’t draw a single false start penalty, which is very impressive to me considering that Andrew Gardner was making his first career start and Dennis Kelly was seeing his first action in nearly two years.
The Washington offensive line is not a great one. Trent Williams is a Pro-Bowl caliber tackle, but the the rest of the line is pretty average. The opportunity will be there for the Eagles to generate a decent pass rush if their lineman and linebackers are able to take advantage of their matchups.
Advantage: Eagles
Defensive Line
Fletcher Cox appears to be emerging as a playmaker for this defense. Cox has been very active and constantly around the ball through two weeks and has been involved on some of this defense’s biggest plays, including his gamechanging forced fumble on Trent Richardson last Monday. Bennie Logan hasn’t stood out to me early on, but Cedric Thornton has been solid against the run.
Jason Hatcher was signed from Dallas to provide an upgrade on the line for Washington. He’s already picked up 2.5 sacks. Barry Cofield and Jarvis Jenkins are the other starters, and do a good job supporting Hatcher and the rest of the Redskin pass rush.
Advantage: Redskins
Linebackers
The Eagles are going to be without their most explosive linebacker, Mychal Kendricks. Kendricks will miss the game with a calf injury, giving Emmanuel Acho (who is notably and mercifully NOT Casey Matthews) his first start of the season. Acho is a guy who has shown some playmaking ability in the preseason, but has never had an opportunity to run with the first-team defense.
Connor Barwin has been his usual solid self, batting down passes and rarely getting caught out of position. DeMeco Ryans is leading the team in tackles through two weeks.
This is the greatest strength of the Redskins, who posses two strong pass rushers in Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan. Kerrigan currently leads the team with four sacks. This duo promises to give the Eagles’ offensive line a rough time.
Advantage: Redskins
Secondary
The Eagles held Andrew Luck to under 200 yards last week, but that was more a product of the Colts deciding to put the ball in the hands of their running backs instead of their star. However, Malcolm Jenkins came up with a game-changing interception in the fourth quarter that helped the Eagles turn the tide of that game.
DeAngelo Hall is Washington’s top corner, but he’s a guy that I’ve always considered to be grossly overrated throughout his career. He’s had some pretty bad games against the Eagles in his career, notably allowing Terrell Owens to pick up 115 yards in 2005, and getting torched by DeSean Jackson several times throughout the last few years. The team also gets safety Brandon Meriweather back from suspension this week.
Special Teams
Cody Parkey had made key game-tying and game-winning field goals in each of the first two games. Parkey also has kicked the ball out of the endzone routinely, denying the opposition chances for big returns. Donnie Jones is as solid as punters come, and the Eagles have the electric Sproles to lean on in the return game.
Kai Forbath has been a fairly reliable kicker for the Redskins, while Andre Roberts is averaging over 28 yards on kickoffs and 10.6 yards on punt returns.
Advantage: Eagles
Intangibles/Projected Outcome
Some wonder about whether or not the Eagles are at a disadvantage working on the short week and sitting pretty at 2-0, but I don’t believe that to be the case.
The Eagles know that if they want to win anything this year, they’ve got to take care of business within their division. This is a very important game for this club, and I think Chip Kelly has them in a good mindset that will be prevent them from suffering a letdown.
The Redskins’ pass rush is one to fear, but I think that Nick Foles is going to deliver his strongest game of the season. I think Kirk Cousins is one of those guys that is getting a little too much hype simply due to the old saying “the backup quarterback is the most popular guy in town.” Washington is already sour on Robert Griffin (and given his attitude, I don’t blame them) an they’re desperate for an answer.
I also don’t see Jay Gruden outcoaching Chip Kelly. Gruden is in his third game, and his second quarterback. He’s still feeling his way through his new position. Kelly has kept incredible calmness through his team’s early adversity, and made good adjustments to help his team win. You can’t understate the importance of a coach that can do that.
They hope Cousins will be that guy, but in his limited showings he’s turned the ball over quite a bit. I don’t think he’s ready to step in and lead the Redskins to an important division win on the road.
Pick: Eagles 27, Redskins 20
It’s the sport of Kings better than diamond rings
F-O-O-T-B-A-L-L,
Are you ready for some football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Eagles
Need 100 from Shady –
Need 100 from Maclin-
and win the turnover ratio –
It’s one of those in-division games that can be unpredictable (e.g. Miami-New England). We have seen backup QB’s (Matt Cassel) torch the Eagles before, so Cousins could easily do the same.
If the Redskins put together a good game plan they can take the Eagles down. A good defense with good LBs always have a chance. This could look like the KC game last year.
With all that said – Eagles 31-17
I wonder where RGIII will play next year?
Relax Eagles fan….as I said, too much Birds elebrating after Monday night. They’ll keep it close enough in the first and pull away in the second,
Still blitzing waaaaaayyyy too much.
All Chris Polk does is score TD ‘s.
We cant stop that 3rd down no pressure
On the “everyone hates Matthews” watch…take a look at who the only guy turning his head and putting hands on chasers once Polk broke free.
I hate how guys just run with the returners and don’t block. Matthews turned and blocked (the other guy – not sure who – didn’t)
Just sayin’
Trey burton made the key block
And Ertz….I know that…..I was just talking about after he had broken free….just playing mostly, but Matthews did look back and put his hands on two different guys.
That being said….do we have a defense? Koolbreeze is calling for Sanchez at this point!
Damn I wish RGIII hadn’t been hurt.
Picked apart…d has got to step it up.
Two words…..Bradley Fletcher.
James Casey exists!
Lol for now
Exactly fletcher killibg us
3 Things/Adjustments Defensively for Eagles
1) Safety M Jenkins follow TE Niles Paul
2) CB Boykin follow WR Andre Roberts
3) CB must line up closer once in Red-Zone
Why are Fletcher/Williams playing 5-6-7 Yrds off Receivers
Once inside the 25 Yard Line?
If they don’t do these things, Redskins will put
Up 35-40 Points
Vinnie
Cole and Graham no pressure.
No I know. The Eagles cannot generate pressure without the blitz which is a recipe for disaster.
Again, this is why I think the Birds are building for 2015-2019, There is still a LOT of work to do on defense.
Agree with you. They ate terrible on the edges in this defense. LB and CB need definite upgrades.
Felt the Birds would score 30, but never thought the Skins would rip through the Eagles like this.
Concussion
Oh boy dangit that looks bad
Oh Ertz on Kerrigan alone…good times
McCoy with concussion protocol, Hes done for the game
McCoy will not return, you can tell how upset he’s getting with the medical staff..
Not a good start here for the Eagles
Kerrigan has had 3 Touches of Foles on 5 plays so far
Rookie CB B Breeland for Skins (From Clemson)
Was a steal for the Redskins… Liked this kid
Over many higher rated CB’s in the Draft
Glad you liked him paul…..
Fumbles in scoring territory…..nobody’s friend.
Eagles D Need a Stop right here on 3rd & 3
Has QB Cousins missed a Pass yet?
Eagles are sending 6 on every play…this is a recipe for disaster against a “quick decision” QB.
Eagles cannot generate pressure without the blitz.
Heavy blitzing would have worked against RGIII…..but not against a guy like this.
At least Eagles can stop the run!!!
Billy Davis and defensive players must find a way to pressure, hit, and sack cousins. He is way to comfortable thus far.
No pressure? No Kirk cousins is just the truth. He’s got his oppurtunity and he’s taking advantage of it. It’s nearly impossible to get pressure when all there doing is short intermediate routes and he’s gettin the ball out in 1.5 seconds. The Eagles defense is playing scared. They are respecting desean and washingtons speed more than playing them up close and getting in there face. It’s like they only wanna stop Desean and his big plays, not the red skins
Cannot believe McCoy is in there
That was not a bad block!!!
Vinnie…that was a bad block….oh snap a Riley Cooper sighting….nice pass by Foles. What is Washington watching…clearly a catch….hey Vinny…does that pass count as a throw in a tight window ? just checking.
I think it was a tight window…but not a tough throw.
Have to ask Koolbreeze for confirmation!
Will do…lol
It was a block in the back by Kelce,
More of a polish and not needed for Maclin
Was making it in regardless..
Jason kelce with a bonehead block. Totally unnecessary…damn. that was a good run by Mac. That defender was not catching Mac.
Block from behind is when defender doesn’t know block is coming….that guy knew Kelce was there and going to hit him….doesn’t comply with the “spirit” of the rule…but whatever, this crew never has a play where it doesn’t like throw a flag.
Eagles still going to score so its all good.
What a Pass by Foles, his best of the Season thus far to Cooper..
He looks on today..
At least Foles is $$. Gets better as pressure rised. As I said before…Eagles will keep it close and pull away in the 2nd.
Still, the D needs a lot of work.
A Jordan Mathews sighting..TD..FOLES looking good…not a tight window though.
Birds need to scheme up some cover 2 and chili with this blitz shit. They are going to get one over the top.
Then again…maybe it was a tough throw to Cooper…not a tight window….its all so confusing.
Thank goodness Matthews was wide open and Foles hit him….thus reinforcing the original thesis that all Foles can do is hit wide open guys.
No more “tight window” throws Foles…your’re ruining Koolbrees’ thesis
lmao
As I stated all week, Eagles Offense & Foles need to keep attacking the
Middle of Redskins D… It’s there all game for them..
That may have been a hold against Fletcher, but they didn;t call the offensive procedure against the Skins as the LT left early!
Sorry RT
Defense is defenseless…over 300 yards given up in first half.
Bradley Fletcher
I am not sure if I have ever seen a half where one team only gets two offensive possessions
I suppose this is possession 3 with 1 min to go.
Nick ” the antelope” Foles
that was a tight window throw to Mathews
And who hates this Nick Foles guy?
Thatsva tough throw through a tight window….Jordan Mathews coming out oarty….
Tight window? Not sure! What does the peanut gallery have to say?
Great Pass by Foles that’s a window throw not many can make. Cousins and Foles are ball in.
WHAT A FCKING THROW BRADY 2.0
I don’t think that window was tight enough. Foles still sucks.
Not a “Chip Kelly QB”
Lol
Hey vinnie you can tell kool that was a tight throw for his ass. …Foles is dealing today
LOL.
“Tough throws in tight windows” is gonna continue to roll for the next couple weeks!
Not enough zip on the pass…..window was open a little to wide after measurement replay. Not tight enough!
party
Billy Davis has adjusted last two weeks. They need big adjustments. We are ripe for an over the top pass.
we can put this game away in the second if we come out and score right away oh yea pman how is that pass rush for the skins doing…I told you chip kelly vs jim haslett….chip wins everytime
Nick Foles does big things at big times. It’s not talked about very often, but Nick Foles plays his best under pressure. After the Dallas game, with his career on the line he responded with a 7 TD game. I’m a Foles fan!
Well, I have been talking about it, but I don;t really count I suppose. Kid gets better as pressure rises.
really want Birds to come out and score to start the 3rd. Put the skins away would be nice.
redskins D is what we thought it was not 1st for a maybe 21
Skins aren’t going anywhere offensively against our defense. They are exploiting our biggest weakness on the edges.
This is still an issue…but emotionally the Skins mist be demoralized. Complete domination against our D and they are losing. They will fade.