Vegas has the Eagles (5-7) as 2-point underdogs at home this Sunday, and the Over/Under is set at 46.5 total points.
The Odds Shark mainframe computer predicts the Redskins a 28-24 winner.
Play ball!!
Eagles WR Jordan Matthews is officially listed as “questionable”(ankle), but he told the media on Friday he’s playing:
“I’m definitely going to try to get back out there on Sunday. The week’s gone good. I think everybody obviously realizes where we are in this season as a team, so guys have been extremely focused and ready to go out and get a must win. We need to come out and make a statement and playing extremely well against [the Redskins] Sunday.”
That’s the spirit!!!
The Redskins (6-5-1) are banged up across the board. Two of the team’s starting offensive linemen, Shawn Lauvao (groin) and Spencer Long (concussion/stinger), did not practice on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, while another starter in Brandon Scherff (ankle) was limited two days. Long was officially ruled out for the game. Lauvao and Scherff are both questionable. Tight end Jordan Reed (shoulder) was a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday and is questionable for Sunday.
On the defensive side of the Redskins ball, notable names on the injury report include defensive end Chris Baker (ankle) and safety Will Blackmon (concussion/thumb), both of whom did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Baker was limited on Friday and is questionable, but Blackmon will not play this weekend. Defensive end Ricky Jean Francois (foot/knee) and linebacker Will Compton (hip) are also listed as questionable, while cornerback Bashaud Breeland (ankle) is expected to play.
Whether Jordan Reed plays or not on Sunday, Fran Duffy of PE.com warns us and the Eagles defense that one of the biggest challenges will be to contain the Washington tight ends:
“The Redskins love to operate with multiple tight ends, whether Jordan Reed is available or not. Reed didn’t play in the Week 6 contest, and he may not be ready to play on Sunday. But whether it’s Vernon Davis or Derek Carrier, expect to see the Washington tight end group moved around the formation, including split out wide. The Redskins are one of the best downfield passing teams in the league, and they’re one of the most effective play-action teams in the league. This group of tight ends is very involved of both aspects of their air attack.”
Then there are the “chunk plays”—we need more of them on offense, and must limit them on defense. Washington has one of the best vertical offenses in the NFL. The Redskins rank second in the NFL with 59 plays of over 20 yards. QB Kirk Cousins himself has a 126.1 passer rating when he throws the ball over 20 yards downfield (third in the NFL), completing 24-of-49 passes for 868 yards, eight touchdowns and just one pick. Washington has just five drops all season long (best in the NFL), ranks third in the NFL in 10-play drives (26) and has only had 12 three-and-out series all season long (best in the league). This is a deadly offense that can win on the ground or through the air, and is a huge test for the Eagles’ defense.
Win or lose, I’m a big fan of Carson Wentz’ development at QB for the Eagles, and I will have an EYE on his improving from the last outing against the “Skins. Specifically, his coaches Doug Pederson and Frank Reich have mentioned mechanics a lot this week:
“There are things like eye discipline – is he on the right read and right progressions? It could be his feet and making sure his target line is where it needs to be,” Pederson said. “His back foot, he’s had a couple of balls sail on him. Some of it is mechanical and some of it is pressure in the pocket and these are things we continue to work on and fight through to make him and this team better.”
What will weather conditions be like Sunday (today)? Brisk and cloudy, with a high temperature of 36 degrees F. with a slight chance of snow showers in the afternoon. Southwest winds around 5 mph… becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of snow 20 percent.
Hot soup and sangwich weather!!! Don’t worry, have fun—we may not shock the world this season, but we can win this game.
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