The Redskin Report

We’ve been here before. The year was 2002 and heading into a week 2 Monday night match-up, the Washington Redskins had a chance to bump the heavily favored Philadelphia Eagles to 0-2 and put them behind the eight ball early. The Eagles had fell by 3 points on the road in week one, while the Redskins had looked decent in a home victory. And well, let’s hope the similarities ends there. Although on the bright side, James Thrash did have over 100 yards receiving.

What to Look for Monday

When the Redskins have the Ball: Running, running and more running. The Eagles rush defense was very flimsy last year and the Redskins gashed them big time late last season (Ladell Betts had a career high 171 yards). The Eagles shut down Green Bay last week, but the Redskins are a much better running team and this will be a big challenge for Philly. The Eagles have one big injury in the secondary as Lito Sheppard will miss tonight’s game. His replacement is ex-Giant Will James (formerly Will Peterson) who has starting experience but is just getting back into football after missing a bunch of time due to a back injury. It may be the depth corners that the Redskins try to exploit as neither Joselio Hanson nor Nick Graham has much experience. The injury may also limit the Eagles ability to blitz as they may try to avoid leaving their depth guys in one on one situations against the game breaking threats on the Redskins (Moss/Randle-El).

When the Eagles have the Ball: Historically the Eagles have beaten the Redskins on big plays. Whether it’s been Todd Pinkston or Dante Stallworth, the Eagles always seem to be able to sneak in a big play against the Skins. The Redskins have committed to avoiding big plays, but if the Eagles have success dinking and dunking down the field, will the safeties and corners begin to cheat up field? Rushing wise, the Eagles are solid, if not spectacular. Brian Westbrook is one of those shifty patient runners that can give the Redskins fits, but the Eagles have a tendency to move away from the run quickly, especially if it is shut down early. With Phillip Daniels missing tonight, the Redskins will probably have an improved pass rush with Demetric Evans getting the majority of the time, but they won’t be as stout against the run. Ex-CFLer Chris Wilson could see some action tonight as well.

Special Teams: Special Teams killed the Eagles last week. They muffed two punts which directly lead to Green Bay points and as such they re-signed Reno Mahe to handle punts this week. Mahe isn’t a game-breaker but he should be able to avoid the big errors. Mahe is also expected to return kick-offs alongside Correll Buckhalter. Handling the kick-off duties is the ever reliable David Akers while a big Australian, Saverio Rocca is the punter. Rocca is a booming kicker, but not yet refined. He’s also 6’5”, so Derrick Frost won’t be the only punter who can lay the boom on the field tonight.

My Completely Unbiased Thoughts: The Eagles are a strong team and they won’t want to start 0-2. When you add in the loud and wild Eagles home field advantage and you have a tough night ahead of yourself if you are a Washington Redskin. So why do I think the Skins will win? Quite simply, the Redskins rushing attack. The Redskins should be able to control the clock and handle the line of scrimmage. When the Redskins avoid the big plays (turnovers, 75 yard passes against), they’ve been able to beat the Eagles. I see a conservative game plan and another ugly win.

Redskins 20 Eagles 17