The Eagles want to get off to a much faster start against the Washington Redskins than they did last week in Detroit. The last thing they want is for Kirk Cousins’ offense to get on a roll before a sell-out crowd at FedEx Field.
Life without Lane Johnson at right tackle means you can expect the Eagles offense to invest heavily into its running game. Rookie “Big V” Hal Vaitai will be staring into the eyes of Pro Bowl pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan, so it makes sense to go run-heavy early and often. It also makes sense because Washington ranks dead last in rushing yards allowed per play, and 30th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game.
In the Redskins’ 3-4 defensive base, with veterans Ricky Jean Francois, Ziggy Hood and Chris Baker up front, the design is to pressure the passing game. The edge rushers are Kerrigan and Preston Smith, with situational pass rusher Trent Murphy leading Washington with a career-high 4.5 sacks. The middle of the 3-4 linebackers unit is manned by Will Compton and Mason Foster.
Both hands on the ball!—Washington is tied for first in the league in forced fumbles. And the Redskins are second in the NFC in limiting yards after the catch (just 6.4 average yards after the catch allowed).
All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman lurks in the defensive backfield. Last week, the Ravens virtually ignored Norman’s side of the field as the former Panther allowed just one reception. Norman is tied for third in the NFL with eight pass breakups this season. Their other starting cornerback Bashaud Breeland returned to practice this week. He’s been out with an ankle injury.
Perhaps fortuitous for the Birds is that miserable trouble-making safety DeAngelo Hall is out for the year with a torn ACL. The Redskins signed veteran Donte Whitner to add depth to the safety position.
Here are the key matchups according to Chris McPherson of PE.com:
T Halapoulivaati Vaitai vs. LB Ryan Kerrigan – The rookie offensive tackle makes his NFL debut against the veteran pass rusher who notched his 50th career sack in last week’s win over Baltimore. In 10 games against the Eagles, Kerrigan has 40 tackles, six sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
TE Zach Ertz vs. LB Will Compton – The starting middle linebacker leads the Redskins with 50 tackles this season. He has had at least nine tackles in four of the team’s five games in 2016. Ertz, meanwhile, has posted monster numbers against the Redskins. In 2014, Ertz set a franchise record with 15 catches. He followed that up with 13 receptions for 122 yards in the December meeting last season.
DT Bennie Logan vs. G Shawn Lauvao – Lost in the shadow of Fletcher Cox, the “other” starting defensive tackle has been outstanding as well. Logan has recorded two sacks and three quarterback hurries in the past two games. Washington’s pass protection has graded out among the best in the league, according to Pro Football Focus, but Lauvao has struggled. He allowed a sack and two hurries in the win over Baltimore.
CB Jalen Mills vs. WR DeSean Jackson – With Leodis McKelvin battling a nagging hamstring injury, the rookie seventh-round pick could be in the spotlight against one of the league’s best deep threats. Jackson doesn’t need a lot of catches to make an impact because of his ability to break off a big play at any time. He has only four catches for 40 yards in the past two games.
I see this game coming as a hard-fought typical Eagles-Redskins slobber-knocker on an October afternoon. Throw out the stats when the whistle blows.
Courtesy of PE.com, here is a hay wagon of HYPE fodder to add to your further research into this upcoming cage match:
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