The Philadelphia Eagles defense will see a vastly improved Robert Griffin III than the one they faced in the season opener on September 9th.
Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field represents the Eagles next chance not only to snap a historic ten-game home losing skid and continue to further their chances at sitting atop the division by season's end, but it also marks a rematch with the opponent from Chip Kelly's first NFL victory.
Kelly and the Eagles of course departed Landover, Maryland on September 9th with a 33-27 win that was only that close because the Eagles seemed to take their foot off of the proverbial offensive gas pedal in the second half. However, the play of Robert Griffin III in that game cannot be ignored, in spite of the second year quarterback appearing less than healthy throughout.
That night, Griffin posted 329 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while finishing 30 of 49 passes against an Eagles defense that was in it's infancy of transforming from a 4-3 front to a 3-4.
Griffin has a quarterback rating of over 85 in three of the last four games, something he managed to do just twice in the Redskins first five games. The Redskins have also bounced back as a team, as they have managed to play .500 football (3-3) since starting 0-3.
Defensive coordinator Bill Davis certainly has taken notice of Griffin's improved play.
"I think you can see more mobility from him," Davis said. "I think they've grown their (offensive) package, and he looks a lot more mobile than he was in the first game.
"I think their offense has expanded. Our defense has expanded," said Davis. "You start the season with a core group of things, and then as you go and face different offenses or defenses, you grow your package, and I think their package has grown, and I think RG3's mobility and I think the coaches kind of find what they can do with him and without him coming off that knee injury in this first year."
DeMeco Ryans is intimately familiar with how to slow a mobile quarterback, especially after the Eagles success against Griffin in the season opener and Terrell Pryor earlier this year.
"Yeah, RG 3, he opens the whole offense up," Ryans said Wednesday. "Especially for the running game. When guys are so focused on RG3, we need to know where Alfred Morris is in that offense.
"We'll see more designed runs for RG3, we'll see him create more plays by throwing outside the pocket. He still has a big arm and he's capable of beating you both throwing and running the ball. It's a big challenge for us."
The Eagles haven't surrendered 27 points or more since being stampeded by the Denver Broncos 52-20 all the way back in week four.
This week certainly represents a rematch and an opportunity for the Eagles, but bit picture, the improvement on defense may be the biggest difference between the team that celebrated in the Fed Ex Field locker room and the one that will try to expel the 'stink at the Linc' on Sunday.
Matt Lombardo is the Editor-In-Chief of Eagledelphia and also an on-air personality on 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Join the conversation and follow Matt on Twitter.
