***MNF IN THE SWAMP - WASH @ PHI***
***WASHING REDSKINS @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES***
Ooooh baby we may have a barn burner tonight on MNF when a very interesting NFC East rivalry takes center stage as the 3-2 Washington Redskins head into Philadelphia to take on the surging 5-1 Eagles. The Skins will surely have revenge on their minds looking to payback the Birds for stealing a win back in Washington in the Redskin's home opener earlier this season. That game was a good one, back and forth with Washington having the final possession. They were down 22-17 with a chance for a game winning drive until a controversial fumble by Cousins (incomplete pass is debatable) resulted in a scoop and score by Fletcher Cox for the Eagles, sealing the victory. So yes, the Redskins will be looking to get even with their rival here for sure, in a place that the Redskins have had a lot of success as of late. This brings me to my next point: while the Redskins are looking to avenge their week 1 loss, they did have a 5-0 win streak over Philly before losing to them this season. To be more specific, Skins QB Kirk Cousins had a 5-0 win streak over the Eagles before week 1. That being said, the Eagles have been swept by the Skins the past two seasons! So in my opinion the "revenge angle" that Philly wants on Washington outweighs whatever the Skins have in store for them tonight.
I think everyone would agree that both of these teams are pretty damn good. The Eagles are flying high this season having only lost to the KC Chiefs earlier this season, on the road at Arrowhead. They've won both games at home so far although against mediocre teams in the Giants and Cardinals. Tonight will be a big test to see how they handle being at the top of the NFC East, and the NFC in general for that matter. It will be interesting to see if they remain hungry here or if they get comfortable. Being that it is Prime Time afterall, and all the excitement behind this new Philadelphia regime that is led by Sophomore QB Carson Wentz, I highly doubt they get comfortable at home in this spot and overlook a tough rival. Speaking of a new regime, Wentz has really impressed this season. I've said it over and over in these writeups whenever the Birds are included regardless of me going with or against them so I will refrain from praising him too much here. I'll just keep it simple and say that in my opinion this kid is quickly on his way to becoming a top tier QB in this league, and I think he will be around for a very long time while doing great things for this organization who is starving for a Championship. Philly is all aboard the Wentz-Wagon and I don't think it gets derailed here in this one as unfortunately for the Redskins, their secondary remains pretty banged up. CB Josh Norman remains out with an injury and it looks as if CB Bashaud Breeland will try to give it a go tonight but won't be 100%. Now add on the fact that their defensive front just lost their #1 draft pick in DE Jonathan Allen last week, which is a HUGE hit to this unit. Allen was a major piece to the success that this defense has had thus far and while I expect Defensive Line Coach Jim Tomsula to be able to utilize his talent and shuffle them around to help make up for this loss, I think it may take a game or two for him to find the right formula. I think the Skins have enough to remain strong stopping the run, but the pass-rush will take the biggest hit as Allen was the piece that stirred the drink. He consistently occupied multiple blockers which helped to free up his teammates to get into the backfield. Tonight against Wentz and this red-hot passing game, I think this defense struggles. Wentz is one of the slipperiest QBs in the game right now. His feel for pressure in the pocket amazes me and is fun to watch. I think he will have no problem tonight buying time for his many weapons to get open.
On the other side of things Redskins QB Kirk Cousins has been solid. It seems like from week to week he gets better as him and his new arsenal of WRs get acclimated and build chemistry. The offensive line has been impressive as well and I expect them to step up tonight, and it looks like Tackle Trent Williams is active and will give it a go. I expect Cousins to find success throwing the ball on crossing routes over the middle of the field, especially to his TEs Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis. Look for RB Chris Thompson to be a threat as well catching dump-offs as he has been as scrappy as can be running after the catch. In a game that Skins want and need badly to help their position amongst the Division, I do expect them to play well offensively but it won't be enough. Eagles Defensive Coach Jim Schwartz has been a wizard with the way he has been calling games defensively and I believe that once the Redskins reveal their gameplan throughout the first half, that he will make the necessary adjustments to clamp down during the second. What could also hurt Washington here is the injury to their Kicker and having newbie Nick Rose make his debut tonight in a MNF rivalry game on the road. I wouldn't blame the kid for having a case of the yips here! Any way, I anticipate a fun back and forth shootout between Cousins and Wentz, with the Eagles making the big plays in the second half by getting a turnover or two to eventually pull away. I think the new era Birds sweep the Skins this year en route to a NFC East crown and becoming a major presence in the playoff picture. This team is for real. EAGLES-5
