The Washington Redskins don’t have much to play for heading into Week 16. It does appear head coach Jay Gruden will be back in 2015, but the team will probably be moving on from Robert Griffin III.
While there is uncertainty and disappointment surrounding Redskins Nation these days, the Redskins still have a chance to end 2014 on a high note. And if they can’t make it to the playoffs this year, at least they can have a say as to whether or not one of their bitter division rivals can…
Washington may be somewhat down in the dumps, but they can send the Philadelphia Eagles off the rails this week, as they host their NFC East enemies for a huge Week 16 clash. The Redskins are merely playing for pride, but the Eagles badly need to win out to have a shot at the division, as well as a playoff spot, following Sunday night’s loss to the Cowboys.
For Eagles fans, Sunday’s game is a great opportunity to find cheap Eagles tickets. According to TiqIQ, the average ticket price on the secondary market is currently $152. It’s even cheaper just to get in the door as it costs only $35 for the most inexpensive tickets.
Eagles fans in New Jersey and New York can find quick Washington D.C. flights from Newark to D.C. for as little as $128, according to Hipmunk. That’s $24 less than the average ticket price for a game and if you were to buy the cheapest ticket available, you’d have your transportation and ticket for just a little north of $150.
Hipmunk recommends looking at one of the hotels near Georgetown University if you are planning to spend a night near FedEx Field. Though you’ll need to find a way to get out to Landover, available hotels are pretty scant close to the stadium. Meanwhile, room rates near Georgetown begin at only $75 so you’ll be in the heart of the city at a reasonable rate.
Philadelphia enters as an 8.5 point favorite so the Redskins are obviously going to have their work cut out for them to win this game. The Eagles will come in still angry from their Week 15 defeat by the hands of the Cowboys, and potentially missing out on the playoffs because of a loss to the Redskins will not go over well in the City of Brotherly Love.
With Colt McCoy out, RGIII will get the nod and he did show a little something in the first half of last week’s game. Head coach Jay Gruden suggested this week that limiting passes in the offense could help the Redskins be a little less predictable, although improved offensive line play would also go over quite well for Griffin.
Conversely, not throwing as much should allow Alfred Morris and the Washington ground game to get going. If that happens, a shaky Philly run defense could be exposed and the play action could open up and actually allow RG3 to be somewhat of a threat.
Of course, none of this is possible if the defense can’t do its job first. Everyone knows the Eagles have one of the more potent offenses in the league, so shutting down LeSean McCoy and rattling Mark Sanchez will be two major keys in this matchup. The Redskins boast an elite run defense and already know they can stop McCoy after doing just that the first time these two teams faced off. Nonetheless, their secondary has struggled this season and Jeremy Maclin and Jordan Matthews should have big days.
The Redskins certainly pose a threat, but if the Eagles can perform like they have all season and limit the mistakes that have haunted them in their most recent losses, that should be good enough to get to 10-5.
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