Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins game preview

Are you ready for some football?! Pre-season is finally behind us and come Sunday at 1pm, the real games begin. The Philadelphia Eagles will travel to the nation’s capital to face off against a division foe in the hopes of coming out 1-0.

Philadelphia Eagles at the Washington Redskins

When: Sunday, September 10th @ 1 pm

The Philadelphia Eagles kick off a new season Sunday against a familiar opponent, a Redskins team that swept the season series 2-0 last year. Undoubtedly the Eagles will want to take an early division win on Sunday, after finishing the season winning just two of their final 9 games, a hot start will go along way in the tight NFC East.

If anyone is interested in catching some Week 1 NFL action, as of right now, it looks like the get in price is around $55.

The Eagles finished 2-2 in the pre-season, and while an exhibition record doesn’t mean a thing, the 4 games played taught us a lot about this new Eagles team. With a fresh 53-man roster, a second year for the new franchise quarterback, and a coaching staff eager to prove they are, “the guys,” this 2017 Eagles outlook looks to be one of the more exciting teams in recent memory.

What to watch on Offense

After a quiet pre-season for Carson Wentz in which he went just 16 of 23 for 241 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, the action is going to really rev up. It will be imperative for this new offensive group to build a rapport − and build it fast.

The offensive line should be fine, a group filled with veterans and experience, but how will Carson Wentz look with a whole new cast of skill position players. The offense comes up against a defense with a lot of question marks, after the sudden retirement of Su’a Cravens and a major injury to one of their best pass rushers, Wentz and co. should be able to move the ball.

A steady dose of new-comer LeGarrette Blount will keep the defense honest, hopefully allowing Wentz the opportunity to find his new toys on the outside. Like always, it will be imperative to limit the turnovers and penalties and sustain drives to keep the defense on the sideline and rested.

Who to watch on Offense

This one is for the hardcore guys, but this week I am keeping my eye on Lane Johnson. A season ago, the Philadelphia Eagles were without their prized offensive lineman for 10 games, a player in which the Eagles went just 2-8 without, and 5-1 with him in the lineup. Giving Wentz time in the pocket and creating lanes for the running backs, Johnson might be one of the most important pieces on this team that doesn’t get talked about enough.

This week, Johnson goes up against Ryan Kerrigan, another star that doesn’t get enough recognition. If Lane can keep him from getting to Wentz, the Eagles will have a good shot at coming out on top.

What to watch on Defense

Another year under Jim Schwartz system should pay dividends for the returning starters, a unit that brings back a ferocious front 7 and added some more ferocity to it. The key to Sundays match-up will be the secondary, a statement that will be said many times this year.

The Redskins will enter this match-up with new weapons as well, with wide receivers DeSean Jackson gone to Tampa and Pierre Garcon gone to San Fran, the Skins will be working in Terrell Pryor and Josh Doctson. With Jameson Crowder in the slot and the return of oft-injured, but uber-talented Jordan Reed, the Eagles secondary should be in for one of their toughest match-ups all season. The Eagles will rely on their elite pass-rush to disrupt and knock down Cousins thus limiting his time in the pocket. This defense will need to rely on the front 4 to get to the quarterback, in turn, helping out the secondary early in the season.

Who to watch on Defense

This week I am not keeping an eye on one particular player per se, but the guy/guys who have the job covering Jordan Reed. Reed, a player that always seems to be injured, is finally healthy to kick off the season. The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t see much of Reed last year, but when he does play, he does stuff like this … Sorry for the Skins highlight.

But yeah, is he a tight end? a wide receiver? heck, he even played quarterback at the University of Florida. The Eagles will most likely have Hicks, Kendricks, and Malcolm Jenkins covering Reed as he is a match-up nightmare. Cousins loves Reed and a key to this game will be limiting the amount of catches he gets because the offense runs through him, if Reed is rolling then watch out.

Laying Odds

Eagles -1 (-105)    0/U 47.5

Last week I went 2-0, putting me at 6-2 for the season. This week I am going to take the Eagles -1 and over the 47.5

Call me a homer, but I think the Eagles win this game. Talk out of Skins camp is that the offense hasn’t gelled the way coach Gruden would have liked. Gruden has a complicated offense and the new-comers might have a hard time picking up the playbook.

I feel like this Eagles team has a bit of momentum going into this season, a time where they can let Wentz loose and start pounding Blount. Eagles on the road in Washington for a 1pm start isn’t a huge deal, the weather should be nice and I think the Eagles win in a shoot-out.

Fantasy Spin

Thank you for all the readers that checked out my Week 1 fantasy rankings. If you haven’t checked them out yet, click on the link! (aka click on the blue writing over there <—) If you’re not into reading, which is weird because your reading this, I also have a podcast !

Overall

• I am not starting Wentz unless I am in a 16-team league or a 2 quarterback league.
• LeGarrette Blount is a RB2 for me
• Darren Sproles is a flex option in a deeper PPR league
• Alshon Jeffery is a WR1
• Torrey Smith is a WR4 or a Hail-Mary flex option
• Zach Ertz is a TE1
• Caleb Sturgis is probably good for a field goal and a few extra points FWIW
• Eagles DST is my 13th ranked defense

Next: 3 key matchups in Washington

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