Game Preview, Week 3: Eagles at Washington

September 24, 2022

by Steve Thomas

Well, folks, Washington definitely laid an egg last week in Detroit, whereas the Eagles pounded the Vikings on Monday Night Football, so at first glance, this doesn’t look to be a particularly good opportunity for the Redskins the Washington Football Team the Commanders Washington.  However, sometimes NFC East games have a way of being competitive and close when they shouldn’t.  Plus, if Washington has any pride, they’ll want to make a better showing than their week 2 disaster.  So, for you Washington fans, all hope is not lost.  Should they win this game?  Absolutely not.  Is it possible?  Yes.  We’ll find out what happens this Sunday.

Game time & location:          Sunday, September 25, 2022, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fed Ex Field, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open                                                         11:00 a.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 8:00 a.m.; all other parking lots 9:00 a.m.

Television:                              FOX

Television announcers:        Adam Amin and Mark Schlereth

TV broadcast map:                click here

 

DC-area radio:                        Big 100 (WBIG-FM)

Washington radio network:  click here

Eagles radio network:           click here

Satellite radio:                        SiriusXM: 233; internet: 831

 

Washington roster:                 click here

Washington depth chart:       click here

Eagles roster:                          click here

Eagles depth chart:                click here

 

All-time head-to-head record vs Eagles: 87 – 82 – 6 (last 10: 2 – 8; streak: 0 – 2)

Last meeting: L, January 2, 2018, 16 – 20

Early odds: Eagles, -6.5

3 KEYS TO THE GAME

Start strong

There’s no denying the fact that last week was a disaster for Washington.  This Sunday, facing the division rival Eagles, an another atrocious start is going to lead to an even quick sure-fire loss.  As a team, Washington needs to figure out a way to put the Lions behind them and play, smart, strong, mistake-free football early in this game.  Getting into another huge hole is something that won’t end well.

The secondary needs to get their act together

Honestly, William Jackson III and Kendall Fuller aren’t close to earning their high cap hits.  This duo needs to eliminate the mistakes, blown coverages, and confusion in order to give Washington a chance; otherwise, A.J. Brown and company are going to eat them up.  Jackson and Fuller, collectively, need to somehow figure out a way to operate like an elite tandem.  This will be critical to a Washington victory.

Contain Jalen Hurts

Washington has historically been bad against mobile quarterbacks.  Enter Jalen Hurts, who already has 147 yards rushing.  Washington’s defense needs to focus on containing Hurts and turning him into a pocket quarterback, which isn’t his strength.  This is, of course, easier said than done considering the team currently doesn’t employ linebackers.  If Hurts is frequently getting out of the pocket on Sunday, Washington could be in for a long day.

3 KEY MATCHUPS

William Jackson III and Kendall Fuller vs A.J. Brown

As I said above, Washington’s #1 corner, William Jackson III, needs to have a good game as shadowing the Eagles’ best receiver, Brown.  Whether Washington’s coaching staff allows him to trail Brown is another story – I’d guess not, but they should.  Put Jackson in a position to succeed, I say.  Let him be that press-man corner that he supposedly can be.  Realistically, keeping Brown somewhat contained is going to fall into the laps of Jackson and Fuller, and they need to figure something out.  Otherwise, Washington’s probably in for a long day.

Terry McLaurin vs Darius Slay

Let’s be honest and admit that Darius Slay is one of the best corners in the NFL, and he’s mostly gotten the best of Washington’s #1 receiver, McLaurin.  Carson Wentz has done an outstanding job of spreading the ball around so far this year, but Washington needs McLaurin to step up and win this battle.  Keep an eye out on how well this matchup is going throughout the game.

Fletcher Cox vs Some Random Backup Center

Chase Roullier is now on IR, and so Fletcher Cox gets to face backup guard Wes Schweitzer at center.  Yikes.  Enough said.

OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)

LP – limited practice                          FP – full practice                    DNP – did not practice

NIR – not injury related                      Q – questionable                     O – out

D – doubtful                                        NL – not listed

Washington	Eagles
DE C. Toohill, concussion; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP	WR A.J. Brown, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: LP
DT D. Wise, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP	DT F. Cox, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: LP
OL S. Charles, shoulder; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP	G L. Dickerson, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: LP
DE J. Smith-Williams, abdomen; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP	DE B. Graham, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: LP
DT J. Allen, groin; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP	T L. Johnson, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: LP
S K. Curl, thumb; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP	C J. Kelce, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: LP
LB C. Holcomb, quad; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP	CB A. Maddox, back; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP
G W. Schweitzer, hamstring; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP	LB H. Reddick, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP
DE S. Toney, illness; Wed: DNP; Thurs; FP	G I. Seumalo, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: LP
G T. Turner, quad; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP	CB D. Slay, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: LP
	DE J. Sweat, NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: LP
	WR Q. Watkins, illness; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP