Football Friday: Predicting Eagles v. Washington

The Philadelphia Eagles finally got off the board last week, as did some of our writers. This week, the Eagles have a divisional game on the road against the team with Washington, who are fresh off a loss to the New York Giants. But with Hurricane Joaquin traveling up the Eastern seaboard, the location of the game is in doubt. Some have suggested it will be moved to Detroit or Pittsburgh, but there is still the chance that the game is played in D.C.

Here are our predictions for how the game will turn out. 

Patrick Causey, on Twitter @IsdeTheHuddle

Last season, Kirk Cousins carved up the Eagles in a 37-34 defeat, going 30 of 48 for 427 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. But Cousins had all day to throw, was playing against a mediocre secondary, and had DeSean Jackson as a legitimate deep threat. I don't anticipate that to be the case this year. The Eagles are have a stout run defense that should force Cousins to beat them through the air. Only this time, the Eagles are equipped to get pressure on Cousins and bottle up the Redskins receivers, who will reportedly be without Jackson. On the other side of the ball, the Redskins have been stingy against the run (rated 5th in run defense efficiency by Football Outsiders), but have been suspect to the pass, ranking 20th overall in those same metrics. If the weather holds, I expect this to be the game that Sam Bradford and the Eagles passing attack finally gets on track. If it rains cats and dogs, I still think the Eagles do just enough to get the victory. But regardless, this is a divisional game, so it will be closer than some people suspect.

Eagles 27, Redskins 24

Michael Coggin, on Twitter @MQCoggin

Ok, so I'm 0-3 so far in these picks. Fine, whatever. I'd rather be 0-3 with an Eagles win last week than 1-2 with the Birds winless.  Like Chip's guys last week, I get in the win column Sunday. Washington is home to scumbag politicians and a dreck football club.  Kirk Cousins is a sham quickly being uncovered.  The one thing Washington does well (run the ball) is exactly what the Eagles prevent better than almost anyone in the league.  DeSean or not, Eagles win in a business-like game with revenge as an added bonus.

Eagles 21, Washington 10

Ryan Gertsel, on Twitter @TheRyanGertsel

After avoiding an 0-3 start with an ugly win over the New York Jets, the Eagles travel to Washington looking to improve to 2-2. The Eagles are in need of a convincing win in 2015, and with ominous weather in the forecast, Sunday's game could feature more sloppy play. With bad weather comes an emphasis on running the ball, something the Eagles, finally, did with success last week. All three running backs should be healthy, and I expect Chip Kelly to ride the run game on what could be poor field conditions. The offensive line showed vast improvement last week, and they should continue to get better as the season progresses. The run game will be tested as they face a Washington defense that has allowed only 75 rushing yards per game (3rd in NFL). If the run game can't get going, Sam Bradford will need to step up and lead the offense against the NFL's seventh-best pass defense in terms of yards per game. The potential sloppy weather won't help, however. On defense, the Eagles will have to stop the NFL's fourth-best rushing offense. Like it will for the Eagles, the weather should warrant a run-heavy attack by Washington. The key will be to stop the run and force Kirk Cousins to beat the defense with his arm. Last season, Cousins carved up the Eagles' secondary for 427 yards and three touchdowns. But the Eagles enter this game with a much improved secondary and without DeSean Jackson, Cousins lacks a true deep threat. I see the Eagles continuing their success on the ground, but it'll ultimately be up to Bradford to deliver accurate passes and stretch the field when he has the opportunity to do so. I have the Eagles improving to 2-2 with another sloppy, but more encouraging, win on the road.

Eagles 24, Washington 14

Brian Startare, Twitter @BrianStartare

Well, well, well, last week the Eagles won their first game of the season, and I was able to get into the win column as well! It was about time for both. Now, there's going to be a time when there are several games that are bad match ups for the Eagles and picking against them will be the logical choice. This is not one of those times.  Both teams have struggled to put up points. Both team's quarterbacks are under performing. Both teams have been boring as hell to watch. However, the key last week was the Eagles defense, which has been has been stout against the run, and played big with three second half turnovers versus the Jets. I see that trend continuing.  Wherever this game is played, the Eagles will win it.  
 
Pick one! 
Detroit: Eagles 27, Washington 17 
Pittsburgh: Eagles 20, Washington 10
Washington: Eagles 24, Washington 13

Kevin Durso, on Twitter @Kevin_Durso

I went against the Eagles last week and despite the win, my confidence in the offense is still wary after another rough game offensively – better for the running game, more of the same from the passing game. I just look at the other side and think there's really no way the Eagles can blow this one. Defensively, the Eagles are as good as they have ever been under Chip Kelly. Offensively, against a shaky secondary, this could finally be Sam Bradford's week to break out. 

Eagles 28, Washington 13

Michael Malia, on Twitter @Michael_Malia

An 0-2 start to the 2015 regular season for the Philadelphia Eagles may not be what the team was hoping for, but it might exactly what they needed. In my opinion, it's good that this new group of players has to battle some adversity early on in the season. I think the Eagles start to get things rolling this week after getting their first win of the season last week. I was going to predict a more high scoring affair, but the possible bad weather makes me think that this game is going to be pretty sloppy at times. Sam Bradford and Kirk Cousins have had turnover issues through the first three weeks of the year, both throwing four interceptions and giving up a fumble. But I suspect the Eagles to pull this one out.

Eagles 21, Washington 16

Pete Visalli, on Twitter @PHL24x7Pete

This week is such a toss up. The weather is going to play a huge roll in this. If the game is played on schedule and not delayed due to Hurricane Joaquin, I have to give the edge to Washington on this one. It will be a low scoring battle and without Andrew Gardner that already shaky run blocking offensive line will really be put to the test. You're going to see a lot of ground and pound and field goals with minimal throwing in this high wind. The Redskins have the advantage in both of those areas thus far this season, but especially now with the Eagles recent acquisition of Caleb Sturgis,who is a C- kicker at best. 

Washington 20, Eagles 13

Wall of Shame

Name

Record

Brian Startare

1-2

Ryan Gerstel

1-2

Michael Malia

1-2

Pete Visalli

0-3

Kevin Durso

0-3

Patrick Causey

0-3

Michael Coggin

0-3

Go to top button