By: Steven Dilsizian
At the beginning of the season, it is safe to say the majority of people did not see this coming but the Washington Redskins can clinch the NFC East today with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
After winning two games in a row for the first time this season, the Redskins head to Lincoln Financial Field at 8:25 PM for a Saturday night matchup that is easily the most important game of the season. The Redskins sit at 7-7 and currently lead the NFC East while the Eagles are tied with the Giants for 2nd in the division at 6-8. The Redskins schedule only consists of the Eagles and Cowboys for their last two games, but they need to pull out the win tonight to close the Giants and Eagles out.
The problem with this matchup today is simply the Redskins playing on the road. Washington has managed to win only once on the road this entire season and Lincoln Financial is no easy place to play at (especially for a division rivalry). In their previous meeting earlier this season, the Redskins were able to pull out a close victory at home with a final score of 23-20. However this team looks and plays much different than it did in week 4.
WR DeSean Jackson is back and healthy to play against his former team this time and hopes to provide a spark on offense to help take down his old team. Jackson, who is coming off of his best game of the season against Buffalo totaling 6 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown, looks to continue his newfound success against a weak Eagles secondary. Philadelphia’s top 2 Cornerbacks, rookie Eric Rowe and Byron Maxwell, have both made an appearance on the injury report this week with Rowe likely to play and Maxwell listed as questionable. One thing is for certain is both players will not be at 100% for today’s game, giving the Redskins the upper-hand. With QB Kirk Cousins throwing the ball better than he ever has, Jackson has the ability to blow by the Eagles ailing defense and create some big plays.
Offensively, the Eagles are a very fast paced team that revolve all around utilizing their speed. With a rotation of running backs in DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles, the Eagles might just have the most speed in the entire league. They average 356 yards total per game with 112 of those yards being from the ground. These numbers look pretty efficient however when you look at time of possession, Philadelphia ranks one of the worst. The way their offense is set up, they don’t really care about time of possession and look to score as quick as possible while wearing out the opposing defense with a no huddle offense. The weak point for the Eagles is their defense that allows nearly 400 yards to opposing teams per game and a staggering 43% third down conversion rate. Simply put, the Eagles defense cannot get off the field and with injuries to the secondary, it could be another long day for this defense.
Players to watch:
Darren Sproles (PHI): Sproles is possibly the most dangerous weapon on the Eagles offense. He has the ability to beat you on the ground or catch short passes that he can break into long gains. However what makes Sproles so dangerous is not only his offensive capabilities but his special teams appearances as well. The Redskins allow almost 10 yards per punt return this season (which is actually a lot) and have allowed many big gains to opponents through special teams. With Sproles being the main return guy, he could put the Eagles in great field position very often.
Eagles Cornerbacks: As mentioned above, the secondary is banged up and whoever ends up playing today (Rowe or Maxwell) has a big task ahead of them. The Redskins are going to look to attack down the field and take advantage of the depleted Eagles defense.
Kirk Cousins (WSH): Cousins is playing the best football of his career and for the first time in Washington, their isn’t a QB controversy. Cousins has won over the team and the fans while playing at a very high level. Look for Cousins to put on another great show through the air in the most important game of the year.
Alfred Morris/Matt Jones (WSH): In order for Cousins to become most efficient, the running game for the Redskins needs to get going. Morris and Jones have split carries the entire year and neither have put up great numbers. Jones in his last 3 games averaged 2.8, 3.4, and 2.7 yards per carry while Morris averaged 6.0, 2.2, and 2.0 yards per carry. It isn’t news that the team that once revolved around the run game now struggles at it. This has been an ongoing issue but if their was one game where they need to be at their best, it’s this one.
Prediction: Redskins 34 Eagles 21
Picture: http://cbssports.com/images/blogs/Kirk_Cousins_Robert_Griffin_III_Dont_Speak_Redskins_Rumors.jpg
