Semi-Coherent Eagles vs. Redskins Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles-Washington Redskins matchup is previewed.

How about that big win for the Eagles last week? After defeating the Jets, it’s clear that the Eagles have put all their troubles behind them and this will be the amazing season that we expected.

Or not. While it was certainly better than a loss, the Jets game wasn’t especially reassuring as far as the long-term health of the team. It felt like the Jets had no interest in winning that game (What the heck was that, Brandon Marshall?), yet the Eagles still couldn’t find a way to put them away.

Then again, sometimes an ugly win is necessary for a team to turn things around. Maybe just getting that first win under their belts was all the Eagles needed, and it’s going to be nothing but smooth sailing from here on out.

Washington Redskins

Record: 1-2

Head coach: Jay Gruden

Last week: Lost to New York Giants

The Last Time they Met

Heading into week 16 of the 2014 season, the big story for the Eagles was that they needed help to make the playoffs. Even if they won out, they would still need the Cowboys to lose. Most people took it for granted that the Eagles would take care of business against the hapless Redskins.

Sep 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) makes a catch in the first quarter against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Bradley Fletcher (24) at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Redskins, 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Eagles did not take care of business. They played an excessively sloppy game in which the committed 13 penalties, had two turnovers, and missed two field goals.. They surrendered 126 yards to DeSean Jackson, and allowed Robert Griffin III to rack up his second victory as a starter. (Remember that this was in week 16.)

The loss essentially ended the Eagles’ playoff hopes, but as I said at the time, a team that loses to the Redskins doesn’t deserve to make the playoffs.

What’s New with the Redskins

Before the season, Redskins coach Jay Gruden decided that Kirk Cousins was a better option at quarterback than one-time franchise savior Robert Griffin III. I’m not going to tell you that Griffin is a good quarterback. He’s not. Thanks to injuries and owner Dan Snyder, Griffin is pretty much ruined.

Sep 24, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The problem for the Redskins is that Cousins sucks too. He’ll have the occasional big game (see his game against the Eagles last season for example), which prompts all sorts of hyperbolic praise from Redskins fans. That praise is typically short-lived, as he’ll follow that big game with a couple of outings where he can’t stop throwing the ball to the other team. At that point, the fans start questioning why the coaches don’t just give Griffin another shot.

Meanwhile, the Redskins’ defense has played better than expected this season. While they don’t generate much pressure on the quarterback or generate turnovers, they have been solid, especially against the run. In other words, don’t look for DeMarco Murray to have his breakout game this week. (If he even plays)

The Redskins were burned a bit through the air by the Giants last week. The good news for them is that the Eagles don’t have any receivers as talented as Odell Beckham, Jr. Heck, the Eagles might not even have any receivers as good as Reuben Randle.

Featured Opposing Player: Matt Jones

With a sub-optimal situation at quarterback, the Redskins have leaned more on their running game. In recent seasons, this would have meant seeing a lot of Alfred Morris. But they’ve added a new face to their backfield in the form of third round draft pick Matt Jones.

Sep 24, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins running back Matt Jones (31) leaps over New York Giants corner back Prince Amukamara (20) but fumbles the ball out of the end zone for a touchback in front of New York Giants defensive back Trevin Wade (31) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jones was the team’s third round pick in the 2015 draft, and the team has liked what they’ve seen from him so far. He’s rushed for 189 and two touchdowns, and to the dismay of some, he’s received more carries than Morris the past two weeks. (I’m not sure if too much can be taken from this. Due to a large deficit, the Redskins had to abandon the run game altogether in the second half of last week’s game.)

Theoretically, this should work out well for the Redskins. After all, in the modern NFL, many teams go with a committee system at running back, and it works out just fine. Heck, the Eagles have THREE running backs who all see significant playing time. (Then again, the Eagles running game hasn’t exactly been working that well.) But this is the Redskins we’re talking about. If there’s a way to mishandle the situation, surely they’ll find it. It wouldn’t surprise me to see one – if not both – of the backs complaining about playing time by the end of the season.

Jones may be quick, but he’s also gaining a reputation as a fumbler. He’s lost two balls already, so look for Eagles defenders to try to jar the ball loose on Sunday.

Reason to Hate the Redskins

Honestly, I love the Redskins. I’ve lived in the DC area for most of the past 20 years, and the continuous failures of the team have brought many a smile to my face. But people who don’t get to listen to the insanity that is DC talk radio, may not have such warm feelings about the team.

Oct 27, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder smiles prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Fortunately for them, the Redskins are easy to hate thanks to owner Dan Snyder. Snyder probably sums up every negative stereotype of a professional sports team owner. Not only has he ruined the franchise, but from all reports, he’s also a horrible human being.

The sad thing for Redskins fans, is that Snyder probably doesn’t even realize that he’s the reason the Redskins are perennially awful. Based on everything I’ve read and heard, the man truly believes he’s a model owner, and the team’s failures have been due to bad luck and the incompetence of those working beneath him.

In a way, this is an correct assessment. He’s been a leader among owners in finding new ways to separate fans from their hard-earned money. His latest innovation: Charging fans to use will call!

Yes, part of the Redskins problems have been due to having piss poor people running the team. But that’s what happens when the best talent refuses to work for you. Most of the top coaching candidates wanted nothing to do with the Redskins’ job, and that’s why they’re stuck with Jay Gruden.

2003 or 2007?

This isn’t the first time in recent history that the Eagles have gotten off to a slow start. In 2003, the Eagles started off 0-2. After five games, they found themselves with a 2-3 record and a key matchup looming against the Giants at the Meadowlands.

The Eagles offense struggled that day, and it looked like they were headed towards a bad loss that would kill their chances of contention. Fortunately, Brian Westbrook stepped in to make sure that wouldn’t happen:

That win kicked off a nine-game winning streak, and the Eagles made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game that season.

In 2007, the Eagles also started out 0-2 and then 2-3. The early season struggles were partly due to their quarterback having a shaky recovery from injury, and questionable personnel decisions. (Greg Lewis returning punts anyone?)

Unfortunately, there was no miracle punt return to turn around that season. They fell to 5-8 before a three game win streak salvaged a .500 record.

This season seems eerily similar to those years, so it raises the question: Will the 2015 Eagles make a 2003-like recovery and make it to the playoffs or are we in for a 2007-like mediocrity of a season? (And yes, these are the only two possible ways this season will turn out!)

Key Eagles Storyline: The Deep Ball is Extinct

Remember the days when the Eagles used to throw the ball deep? Thanks to speedy wide receivers like DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles would often burn teams with the long ball. Those days are over. Despite some claims that “Chip’s offense, not the players, was the reason for the big numbers,” it seems that no matter how good the system is, it also helps to have talented players at wide receivers.

Jun 17, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Miles Austin (19) makes a catch during minicamp at The NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Matthews is a perfectly fine receiver. He also seems to be more of a mid-range possession guy, and would probably be better off as the team’s second best option. Unfortunately, none of the other receivers have done much at all.

Josh Huff can’t stay healthy, and hasn’t shown much when he is on the field. Nelson Agholor may have a long, successful career ahead of him, but the rookie hasn’t made any plays yet. Riley Cooper can’t do much besides block, and it feels like any time the ball is thrown towards Miles Austin, it’s a wasted down.

In the receivers’ defense, the quarterback has played a big part in the failure as well. There have been times when receivers have gotten a step on defenders, but Sam Bradford hasn’t pulled the trigger. It would be one thing to blame his injuries for this hesitance, but reportedly, he was reluctant to throw it deep in St. Louis too.

Nick vs. Sam

Since they were traded for each other, it’s only natural that fans would want to compare how Nick Foles and Sam Bradford are faring on their new teams. I’ll take a periodic look at the two quarterbacks and decide who holds the edge.

Despite the win, Sam Bradford played poorly. His receivers dropped a few, but it seems like more of the incompletions have been due to poor accuracy. He can’t even blame the offensive line for his issues, as he had adequate protection for most of the game.

Nick Foles wasn’t much better in the Rams’ game against the Steelers. He had plenty of opportunities to win the game, and he simply didn’t come through.

Overall, Foles has played slightly better this season, but the margin between them has been negligible. So for this week, I’ll call it even.

Mocking the East

Part of the fun of being a football fan is taking pleasure in the misfortune of your favorite team’s rivals. Each week, I’ll find a reason to make fun of one of the other teams in the NFC East. (Note: Although I’m sure I could feature the Redskins every week, I’ll try to spread around the mockery a bit.)

Sep 24, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin (10) returns to the sideline after leaving briefly during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

None of the Eagles’ opponents did much mock-worthy this past week. The Giants and Redskins played last Thursday, so they’ve been out of action for a while. The Cowboys lost to the Falcons, but considering the Eagles did the same, it’s tough to get on them much for that.

I suppose I could talk about the growing sentiment among Redskins fans that Robert Griffin III should be reinstated as the starter. Redskins fans have long since lost the ability to discuss Griffin with any sense of rationality, and now that Cousins is showing why many people think he’s a career backup, the debate is going to start heating back up.

For the sake of Redskins fans, the team probably should have just cut Griffin as soon as they made Cousins the starter. To do otherwise was pretty much asking for a quarterback controversy.

Super Bowl Year Song of the Week

The Eagles have not made many appearances in the Super Bowl (Two, to be exact). I’m hopeful that this season will mark their third appearance in the “big game,” so each week I’m going to take a song from one of the franchise’s Super Bowl seasons (1980 and 2004) that somehow relates to this week’s game.

Drop it Like It’s Hot – Snoop Dogg, 2004

As mentioned earlier, the Eagles passing game hasn’t been clicking. Part of the problem has been receivers dropping very catchable balls. For the offense to succeed, they need to hold on to the ball a little better.

Prediction

The Redskins are not a good team. Unfortunately, at this point in time, neither are the Eagles. The Redskins have done a good job of stopping the run, and they will probably force the Eagles to beat them with the pass. I’m not confident Sam Bradford is capable of doing that now.

The weather report calls for heavy wind and rain on Sunday, and adverse weather often leads to strange events. In general, the stranger the game, the more it benefits the underdog.

Redskins 23 – Eagles 20

Next: Eagles Podcast: Redskins Preview

More from Section 215

Home/Philadelphia Eagles

Semi-Coherent Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins Preview

By Mike Lacy | Oct 3, 2015