There’s no doubt that a win over a division opponent after the putrid game against the Raiders would certainly help this team to rebound. It would put them at 4-2, a 1-0 record in the division, and only one loss against an NFC opponent heading into a streak of divisional games.
The next three weeks will either make or break the Eagles’ season. They must win at least two of these next three games in order to stay competitive, and if they come away with less than that it will be extremely difficult to make a playoff push with all of the good teams in the NFC this year.
The Saints, Giants, Vikings, and 49ers are looking to win their respective divisions, with the Falcons most likely earning a wildcard spot. The Eagles could find themselves fighting for that sixth and final playoff spot at the end of the year if they’re unable to produce in these next three weeks.
They’re already reeling, and a loss could completely destroy the season.
So how do they make sure they pull of the win against the ‘Skins at FedEx field? Well, that’s what we’re hear to examine, so let’s get to it.
Run the Ball, Run the Ball, Then Run Some More
Last week, Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy had a combined total of 11 rushing attempts. Eleven attempts for two very talented and explosive running backs is just unacceptable. What makes it worse it that the passing game was not working, yet they stuck with it.
If Reid would stick with the run when it’s not working the same way he’ll stick with the pass, the Eagles could be a very good running team. However, when you only do it every once in a while, no one is in a rhythm. The linemen are so used to dropping back that the mentality needed for running the ball just isn’t there.
It’s especially important for a back like McCoy who looks like he needs to get into a rhythm running the football.
And why did they even sign Weaver? He’s rarely on the field, and when he is they’re not running the ball anyway. If you’re going to bring in a fullback and pass the ball, why not just keep him on the sideline and use another receiver, or another tight end?
He was brought in to make the running game more effective, and McCoy was drafted because he had great running ability and could really make a difference for this offense. They were brought in for a reason, so use them for that reason rather than just trying to throw them the ball.
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, then play-action. Not the other way around.
Use the Screen Pass to Back Up the Corners
The Redskins corners, Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall, play the Eagles receivers very tight. They use that bump and run coverage on the Eagles undersized-but-speedy receivers in an effort to throw them off their patterns, which causes McNabb to hold the ball longer than usual, which creates more sacks, hits, and throws the entire passing game out of rhythm.
It wouldn’t be such a problem if Reid would just stick to the run, but as we all know, that doesn’t happen and most likely never will happen.
While I’m just about sick of the passing game, and at this point would welcome a game where the Eagles just ran the ball every single play, the screen is invaluable to this team. I hate the term “extended handoff,” but if Reid wants to run a screen play instead of a draw or just a simple run, I’m all for it.
Hopefully by doing this it will keep the Eagles out of third and 10+ yards situations. In that situation this year, the Eagles are 0 for 15. That’s incredibly disturbing not only because they don’t have a single first down in that situation, but just the fact that they’ve been in that situation 15 times. That’s three times a game, which is far too many times to be in third and 10 or more.
Todd Herremans’ return should help the screen game immensely, so there’s no reason not to run it anymore.
Find a Way to Stop Chris Cooley
Will Witherspoon was brought in not only because of the injury to Omar Gaither that possibly could sideline him the year, but because of his skill in pass coverage, particularly on the tight end. It’s an area in which the Eagles have struggled ever since Jim Johnson took over the defense.
His blitzing defense just didn’t plan for the tight end, and now with McDermott’s defense being essentially the same thing, the tight end is still an area of concern. With the all-star tight ends in this division, that’s just not an option any longer.
The defense can no longer afford to give up 100 yards and two touchdowns to the tight end every week and expect to win. It killed them last week against the Raiders, so it can definitely come back to bite them against the likes of Chris Cooley and the Redskins, and Jason Witten and the Cowboys.
They may have to employ a bracket coverage of Cooley to stop him, but if that’s what it takes, then they have to do it. The Redskins’ receivers, Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El, should be no match for Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown, so putting a safety over top to watch the tight end should not hurt them on the outside.
I don’t know if that’s their plan, but there needs to be some sort of plan or Cooley will exploit the defense and could single-handedly win this game for the ‘Skins.
