1. OK, let’s start with injuries again: Will Trent Williams play? Once again, it’s just a guess because there’s little hints as to his status. All coaches are secretive, Mike Shanahan is CIA-like. So we go off clues. Last week, Williams was basically ruled out early. This week, he’s only participated in some drills. It’s hard to imagine the Redskins clearing him for a game after he’s barely practiced. Really, the fact that he was ruled out (privately, that is) nearly a week before the Rams game suggests this was a couple-week injury. He is a game-time decision, which means he’s progressed. But enough to play a game? When he was still limping a little on Wednesday after taking part in limited reps?
2. Which matchup concerns you most? Obviously, if Williams misses or even if he plays, it’s the one vs. Pro Bowl end Trent Cole. If Williams can play, he would have missed nearly two weeks of work and wouldn’t be 100 percent and would be facing a good rusher (three sacks). Plus, Cole does a solid job vs. the run, too. If Heyer plays, it’s a total mismatch and he would require help, something the Redskins would not give Williams. No matter what they say, this impacts what plays they can call. Maybe only a little, but it does have an effect. On the other side, Brown will face Juqua Parker on a lot of rush downs and he leads the Eagles with four sacks. Rookie Brandon Graham is the starter. Here’s the thing: the Eagles line has accounted for 10 of their 11 sacks.
3. Do the Eagles blitz as much as in the past? They will blitz, but it’s not to the extent that it used to be. Again, look at the sack totals; only one comes from a non-lineman (safety Nate Allen). And 23 of their 28 hurries come from the line. But linebacker Ernie Sims will blitz and the safeties and corners still will come. It could be that they’ll do more of that this week, testing the Redskins protection. My guess is they might not need to.
4. Where are they weak defensively? The Eagles are not a powerhouse defensively. They have some strengths (pass rush), and their pass defense has posted good numbers with five interceptions and a passer rating of 64.5 by opposing QBS (though two games have been against Detroit and Jacksonville). However, Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers didn’t have a good game vs. them. Still, tight ends will hurt them (hello, Chris Cooley) and teams have spread them out to create mismatches with linebackers on backs. Ernie Sims is good vs. the run, but he’s been picked on vs. the pass. Not sure the Redskins can do that simply because their backs are not exactly high-caliber receivers. But they can get Cooley and maybe even Fred Davis in a mismatch or two.
5. OK, now to the big question: How much will Donovan McNabb’s return help? A lot. Talked to someone who knew McNabb well and he expected nothing less than a big game. Why? Because when challenged, McNabb usually plays his best. Saw it in practice this summer, too. He was having a rough day until the coaches switched to a two-minute drill. He then picked apart the defense. That’s just a snippet, but he’s a supreme competitor; it will matter.
6. How much has Michael Vick changed? Enough to make him more dangerous. It’s a combination of him evolving (perhaps like Steve Young?) and also having receivers he trusts more in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. He’s no longer victimized by a lot of drops and both guys can get free deep so Vick is hanging on to the ball just a bit longer and keeping his eyes downfield. He’ll look for more than one or two options before running.
7. How can they stop him? With 11 guys not looking confused. Seriously; that’s how they come across when they’re in coverage at times. Leads to a lot of holes in the zone. You can’t beat Vick or any good QB that way. This is a function of trying to do too much and having every starter in a new defense. But the ways they can contain Vick is by: rushing smart, which means keeping your eyes on him as you get upfield; getting to him before he sets up, if you blitz, you’d best get there before he can see any lanes to run; gang tackle, when Vick runs, he’ll make most of these players look silly if they take bad angles and if they’re alone; pressure with four, that would give them the ability to spy with a safety. But if they have to blitz to get consistent pressure, it could be a long day.
8. How good is the run game? The Eagles will do what they did with LeSean McCoy last year vs. Washington: spread the field and let him run. The Rams tried this last week, too, and the Redskins handled it fine. McCoy is averaging 6.1 yards per carry and has excellent speed. He hits the hole with speed, though he will sometimes dance.
9. Where are the Eagles weak offensively? Their line is not very good and it’s what could be their undoing in the end. It almost helps the Redskins that they have two-plus games of Vick on film behind this line. He’s been sacked 11 times (and Kevin Kolb was sacked three times). The Eagles have a center, Mike McGlynn, making his third start. Right guard Nick Cole is hurt; his replacement is Reggie Wells, who has 79 career starts, but arrived via trade late in camp. The Rams did not have a good line, either, and they handled the Redskins front.
10. How will they handle the wideouts? The Redskins corners actually match up well, with DeAngelo Hall having the speed to at least cover Jackson while Carlos Rogers has the size to deal with Maclin. Hall seems to hate playing man because it limits his ability to make plays. But last I checked they’re not making plays in zone and, in fact, are giving up a ton. They’re lucky that Kareem Moore has some range deep to help. The problem is, Philly also has a good tight end to occupy the safeties. And the other problem with playing a lot of man vs. Vick is that it gives him more chance to run; easier to do that vs. man coverage where receivers can drive DBs off.
11. Who will win? I don’t buy the Eagles as some sort of powerhouse yet, though if Vick continues to play this well they could become one. They have holes; it’s just a matter of whether or not Washington can capitalize. Don’t think the Redskins can because, well, they have more holes. Where do they hold a clear advantage? Nowhere. But McNabb will keep them close, getting a late touchdown to make it look like a tight game. Eagles 28, Redskins 24.
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