Semi-coherent Philadelphia Eagles Vs. Washington Redskins Preview: The One Where They Play on Saturday

Sep 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver

(18) catches a 27-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Redskins, 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

With two consecutive losses, the Eagles no longer control their playoff fate. In most seasons, an eleven win team would be a lock to make the playoffs. But thanks to a plethora of good teams (as well as an automatic berth awarded to the winner of the awful NFC South), even if they win their final two games, the Eagles will need some help.

Of course, all the help in the world will be for naught if the Eagles don’t take care of their own business. Fortunately, that shouldn’t be too difficult this week. They’re taking on a team which has appeared to have already given up on the season.

In a rare treat, this week’s game will be on Saturday!

That’s right, the NFL has chosen to bring back Saturday afternoon games in December. I’m not sure why they ever stopped playing games on Saturday, but I certainly welcome the return.

Washington Redskins

Record: 3-11 (2-4 home)

Head coach: Jay Gruden (3-11 with Redskins)

Last week: Lost to Giants 24-13

The last time they met

Sep 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks for a receiver against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

In week three, the Redskins, led by backup quarterback Kirk Cousins, gave the Eagles a very tough time. Cousins shredded the Eagles’ secondary, throwing for 427 yards and three touchdowns. It was the first (but certainly not last) time an opposing quarterback targeted Eagles’ cornerback Bradley Fletcher with great success. (More on this later)

If not for a gutsy effort by Nick Foles, the Eagles might have suffered a loss that would have likely been fatal for their playoff chances. Despite getting pounded behind an injury-decimated offensive line, Foles led the Eagles to a 37-34 win.

What’s new with the Redskins?

Cousins’ performance that day was not indicative of how the rest of his season would go. He threw four interceptions in his next start, killing much of the “Cousins is the quarterback of the future!” talk out of Washington. He continued to play poorly and was eventually replaced by Colt McCoy.

Dec 14, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Starter – and former franchise savior – Robert Griffin III returned from an injury in November, but was so ineffectual that for the second year in a row, the Redskins’ head coach decided that another quarterback would be a better option.

McCoy was reinstated as the starter, but he suffered an injury of his own. Left with no other choice, the Redskins went back to Griffin. Griffin played decently against the Giants in a losing effort last week.

Meanwhile, with an outside chance of getting back into last week’s game, the Redskins just sort of gave up in the fourth quarter. This has led to speculation that head coach Jay Gruden is actively attempting to get fired.

Featured Redskins player: DeSean Jackson

DeSean Jackson has had a very DeSean Jackson-like season.

Oct 12, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) high steps the last few steps on a 64 yard touchdown during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

He’s still a deep threat, as he leads the league in receptions longer than 40 yards. The problem is, all Jackson really does on a football field in catch deep passes.

That’s not to say that isn’t a valuable trait. As the Eagles have learned this season, it’s nice to have that deep threat around. It helps keep the opposing defense honest. However, on the plays when the Redskins don’t throw deep, Jackson is essentially useless.

It’s been pointed out that Jackson doesn’t block for other players. And by “doesn’t block,” I mean he makes no effort whatsoever. I kind of feel like if they could combine Jackson and Riley Cooper into one receiver, you’d have a really good player.

Oh, and he doesn’t miss the Eagles at all. I know a player can’t be caught looking back, but you can’t imagine that this year has been much fun for him.

Reason to hate the Redskins

They are owned by Dan Snyder, who might be the worst owner in all of sports. It’s gotten so bad that some fans actually think it would be better if the team moved to a different city.

Having the Redskins move would probably be Roger Goodell’s dream scenario, as it would provide a solution to the controversy over the team’s (racist) name.

If the Redskins moved to a new city, I’m fairly certain that the name would be changed. And if DC was then given a replacement  team, I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t name that team the Redskins.

But considering Snyder is a native of the DC area and has strong ties to the area, I can’t imagine this would ever happen.

Key Eagles storyline: Mr. Toast: Bradley Fletcher

Bradley Fletcher’s jersey probably hasn’t been a popular seller in stores this Christmas season. There were several goats in last week’s loss, but Fletcher stood out as he repeatedly got burned by Dez Bryant.

Dec 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) catches a pass for a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Nate Allen (29) and cornerback Bradley Fletcher (24) defend in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

This continued a season-long trend of Fletcher getting torched by opposing receivers. But maybe we should cut Fletcher some slack.

Obviously, Fletcher hasn’t played that well. On the other hand, it shouldn’t all fall on his shoulders. Fletcher is largely paying the price for the other weaknesses of the Eagles’ defense.

The Eagles prioritize stopping the run. You could argue that in the modern NFL, that’s a faulty approach, but that’s what they’ve chosen to do.

Unfortunately, their best run stopper – DeMeco Ryans – is out for the season. As a result, the team has been playing reserve cornerback Nolan Carroll more, using him as a pseudo-linebacker. While this has helped cover for Ryans’ absence, it has left one less man to help out in the secondary.

The safeties aren’t providing much help either. Malcolm Jenkins is a solid safety, but his strength is stopping the run, rather than helping out in coverage. And every Eagles fan should realize by now that Nate Allen has some deficiencies when it comes to covering receivers.

So that has left Fletcher without much help at times. And playing single coverage on Dez Bryant is a tough task for even the best cornerbacks.

Defensive coordinator insists that Fletcher didn’t have single coverage on Bryant all that often. Sometimes, if a defense wants to blitz the quarterback, a corner is going to get left on an island for a few plays.

Unfortunately, it seemed that when Fletcher was singled-up on Bryant, Tony Romo noticed and didn’t miss. Sometimes you’ve got to give credit to a quarterback and receiver.

In the end, you could probably get away with having Fletcher as a starter, provided he was paired with a top corner who can legitimately cover top receivers. Unfortunately, the Eagles do not currently have a guy like that on their roster.

Elsewhere in the NFL

Eagles fans have become huge Indianapolis Colts backers this week. If the Eagles want to win the NFC East, they need the Cowboys to lose a game, and chances are they’re not going to lose to the Redskins next week. (Yes, the Redskins beat the Cowboys earlier in the year, but I’m not betting that it will happen again.)

The good news is, the Colts are very capable of beating the Cowboys. I just hope that the Colts use a much more pass-friendly game plan than they did against the Eagles. It felt like the Colts hurt themselves by focusing so much on the run in that game.

Help us, Andrew Luck! You’re our only hope!

Foles vs. Sanchez

Nick Foles’ broken collarbone still isn’t completely healthy, so Sanchez gets another start this week. He’d better enjoy it, because this is probably his last time he gets to be a starter.

Sanchez has proven to be an adequate backup. He can come in and play well enough to win some games. But a team depending on him as their full-time starter probably isn’t going to succeed.

Disney song that relates to this week’s game

Regardless of what happens in this week’s game, the Eagles will need help to make the playoffs. The good news is that the Colts’ star quarterback Andrew Luck is very capable of beating the Cowboys.

The Eagles will see what happens “When you Wish Upon a Star.”

Prediction

Sure, the Eagles could suffer a mental letdown after two straight losses. And sometimes it can be dangerous to face a team with nothing to play for.

But the Redskins don’t look poised to pull off an upset. The coach appears to want out, and the quarterback situation is a mess.

This should be an easy win, and because it will take place on Saturday, we’ll be able to sit back and cheer for the Colts on Sunday.

Eagles 40 – Redskins 10