Redskins-Eagles Preview: Eagles Offense versus Redskins Defense
In what looks like a must win game for The Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field; let’s take a look at how they match-up offensively versus the defense of The Washington Redskins:
The Eagles offense will have to be ready to go physically with the Redskins defense. The Redskins play a physical, team defense that is stingy but can give up yardage. Part of their team philosophy is to keep their defense off the field with a ball possession attack on offense which keeps their defense fresh and hungry when they return to the field. Although the Redskins defense is not full of star, pro-bowler type players, they play well as a team defense, complimenting each other, knowing their roles and how each person’s responsibility and performance helps the others on the defense.
The Eagles have one advantage where Redskins starting DE Jason Taylor will most likely be out another game. Over his career, he has been a special player, able to rush the quarterback as well as being strong against the run. With him out, the Eagles have one less thing to game plan.
The Redskins front four is solid but not spectacular. DT Cornelius Griffin may cause match-up problems for Eagles Center Jamaal Jackson. DE Andre Carter is a speed guy who could cause problems going against the Eagles aging and slowing Tackles. The Eagles would be wise to put a Tight End on Carter’s side to chip him on important passing plays.Â
Against the run, they are nicely supported by their Linebacking core, where LB’s Marcus Washington, London Fletcher, and Rocky McIntosh are tackling machines. The Redskins also benefit from these 3 LB’s being skillful in the art of dropping back into pass coverage. The play of the Redskins Secondary will probably determine how well the Eagles do or do not do on Offense. When CBs Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers, and Fred Smoot play as one unit with Safeties LaRon Laundry, Reed Doughty, and “The Predator” Chris Horton, the Redskins defense is very successful at limiting opposing offenses to scoring chances. However, this unit can be taken advantage of as Springs is a bit long in the tooth, Rogers is still trying to recover from a knee injury, and Smoot can be inconsistent.Â
I look for the Eagles to come out spreading the field with WR’s DeSean Jackson, Reggie Brown, Jason Avant, and Hank Baskett. The Redskins defense does best when they work together, swarming the ball, in numbers. The Eagles will have the advantage if the field is spread and thus opening up things on the ground and in the air for RB Brian Westbrook (assuming he plays). Westbrook is the wild card here. If the Redskins have to focus on him, it will free up everyone else and take pressure off Eagles QB Donovan McNabb. If the Redskins don’t worry about Westbrook, he very well may repeat his performance against them as he did last year where he single-handedly destroyed them with 183 total yards and 3 TDs.
The conclusion here is that although the Redskins defense is solid, they can be exploited. They were only on the field a small portion of the game last week against Dallas but still gave up some yardage and big plays. The Eagles need to be smart with the ball, create mismatches in open space, and keep the Redskins defense on the field as long as possible. The Eagles know what to do; it is just a matter of how successful they will be at doing it.Â
Tomorrow, we will take a peak at how the Eagles defense matches up against QB Jason Campbell, RB Clinton Portis, and the rest of the Redskins offense.
With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!! EAGLES!!”
