The Eagles are under 24-hours away from a showdown with the Redskins in a game that will carry heavy playoff implications. With everything to play for and a flurry of injuries on offense, it’s time for the underdogs to rise again. With that in mind, here are five bold predictions ahead of the game.
Record so far: 18-55
A familiar face
The Eagles faced the Redskins in week one but did so under very different circumstances. There’s no DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, or even Nelson Agholor to haunt a troubled pass defense, but there is a familiar face in Robert Davis.
The 6’3, 210 lbs, receiver was sixth-round pick by the Redskins back in 2017 and has one reception for 11-yards in 4 appearances. In 2018, he suffered a torn ACL and a broken leg, but after being poached by the Eagles, now has a shot at revenge against his former team.
Davis has some speed about him and will be filling DeSean Jackson’s vacated WR2 role. Mack Hollins was unable to provide anything substantial when he stepped up to the mark, but could this second-year receiver provide a spark?
Against his former team and after a year on the practice squad, I’m predicting Davis to record 3 catches for a total of 65+ yards.
The Boston Bus
Boston Scott’s combined (rushing and receiving) 128-yard breakout last week left Eagles fans purring, and there’s every reason to believe it was a sign of things to come. The Redskins have the league’s 27th ranked run defense and with Jordan Howard still sidelined, we’re bound to see a healthy dose of Boston Scott again.
I’m predicting Scott to record another combined 100+ yards from scrimmage, with the Redskins struggling to keep up with a backfield consisting of both him and Miles Sanders.
Wentz rises
Carson Wentz had the type of game fans have been craving from him since his drafting in 2016. An occasion where the young signal-caller steps up and takes over the game, guiding his offense out of a sticky situation.
With new-found confidence in an offensive group that is missing starters across the board, Wentz will likely have to be the engine that pushes the team over the line again, with more designed rollouts and sprint-outs to buy him time outside of the pocket.
We can expect much of the same this week given the tenacity of the Redskins’ pass-rush and how problematic it’s proved to be in recent matchups. I’m predicting that with a little help from designed rollouts and play-action looks that keep him away from pressure, Wentz will throw for another 300+ yards, and 3 TD’s, 0 INT.
Big V’s big day
Ryan Kerrigan isn’t exactly Big V’s biggest fan. Vaitai made his debut against the Redskins’ linebacker and was terrorized and since that day, has always caused problems for the TCU product. He has 5.5 sacks on the season and will once again face Vaitai, who is filling in for Lane Johnson at right tackle.
But with the Eagles running heavy sets and condensed formations, I think we could see a little more attention placed on chipping Kerrigan, alongside some help from Brandon Brooks.
Perhaps the boldest prediction of all, Vaitai will silence Kerrigan, holding him to 0 sacks and under 1.5 QB hits.
Curry kicks on
Vinny Curry recorded his third 2-sack game as an Eagle last week, but that shouldn’t come as a shock. Curry has seen an uptick in snaps recently but has also seen a rise in production, rallying 4 tackles against the Seahawks and 3 sacks in his last 2 games.
Dwayne Haskins has been prone to poor decision-making as a rookie and his worrying turnover ratio reflects that. Expect Curry to come flying off the edge to ensure the rookie out of Ohio State remains uncomfortable.
As a result, I’m ending today’s series with a prediction that would see Curry pick up his fourth 2-sack game as an Eagle.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
