goldenster95 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Note that TSN's other 'experts' have all voted for the Iggles, though not all have voted. By Geoff Mosher and Paul Woody For Sporting News The NFC East has established itself as the league's power conference, making showdowns like this Eagles-Redskins game important for each team, even though it's still early. The Eagles looked like Super Bowl contenders in wins against St. Louis and Pittsburgh but fell to 2-2 after their loss to Chicago. They find themselves in the same place as they were last season: last place with an even record. A loss would make them 0-2 in the division. The Redskins, not popular picks to make the postseason, are 3-1 after upsetting Dallas for their third consecutive victory. They can improve to 2-1 in the division with a win against the Eagles. Health issues continue to hold back the Eagles' offense. Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook missed the Chicago game with a strained ankle, and it's not certain if he'll be able to play against Washington. Back spasms that forced Pro Bowl right guard Shawn Andrews out in Week 2 aren't improving, and surgery might be his only option. With Westbrook and Andrews sidelined, the Eagles' offense has sputtered. Redskins QB Jason Campbell is flourishing in first-year coach Jim Zorn's West Coast offense. He's making accurate reads and is the only NFL starting quarterback who hasn't thrown an interception this season. Mainly, he's making use of all his weapons, especially deep threat Santana Moss. Redskins Keys For Success 1. Protect Jason Campbell. The Eagles bring pressure like no other team in the NFC East and few in the NFL. They blitz linebackers from all different angles. Running backs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts have to be alert. The Redskins will need to use more motion to get receivers such as James Thrash and Chris Cooley in position to check for incoming linebackers and defensive backs before going out on their routes. 2. Keep Donovan McNabb in the pocket. McNabb doesn't run as much as he used to, but he has beaten the Redskins as often with his legs as he has with his arm. The Redskins can't let him move around in the backfield to buy time. They need to push the pocket into his face and keep him as uncomfortable as possible as often as possible. 3. Control the clock. The Redskins have big-play ability in their offense, but playing the Eagles always is a physical, brutal encounter. The best way to take the starch out of the Eagles' defense is to move the ball consistently against it. The Redskins' offensive line has to get a strong push off the ball, and Jim Zorn has to be willing to keep pounding the ball even if the yards are tough and limited early. Eagles Keys For Success 1. Get healthy. They can survive without Shawn Andrews, but they need Brian Westbrook back on the field. He's the epicenter of the offense, and when he's out, there's too much pressure on Donovan McNabb to make all the big plays. Westbrook's replacement, Correll Buckhalter, got banged up against the Bears and won't be at full strength if he has to start against the Redskins. Third-string back Lorenzo Booker hasn't found his way in the team's offense yet. 2. Convert third downs. The Eagles were converting 55 percent of third downs before Westbrook limped off the field against the Steelers. They've since made just five of 24 third-down conversions, an abysmal 20.8-percent clip. McNabb is relying heavily on rookie DeSean Jackson to get those third-and-longs. Reggie Brown has gradually been integrated back into the lineup, but the onus is on head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to put their heads together and figure out a game plan that get McNabb's receivers open downfield. 3. Keep forcing turnovers. Only one NFL team has more takeaways than the Eagles, who were among the worst at producing turnovers last season. Jim Johnson's unit is pressuring the quarterback, which has led to interceptions and fumble recoveries, but Campbell hasn't thrown an interception yet this season, and the Redskins have just one giveaway, tied for fewest in the NFL. The Eagles have to make Campbell uncomfortable in the pocket and take advantage of errant passes or loose grips. The Bottom Line It's hard to call the fifth game of the season a must-win, but falling to 0-2 in the NFL's premier division would be a huge blow to the Eagles' aspirations of making the Super Bowl. But if they can't get some of their injured impact players back -- especially Westbrook -- they won't be contenders for anything. Riding their home crowd, the Eagles should treat this game like the season is on the line, but Washington is perfectly capable of pulling off the upset. Pick: Redskins 27, Eagles 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrellsMyHero28 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Stop it, don't pick us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big#44 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 the eagles are the same team that the redskins were going to dallas last week. no one is giving them a shot except vegas. the eagles can and will take care of business. we better watch out for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan07 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 I love it! I have a good feeling about this game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrJL Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 well I don't like that they're good at getting turnovers. The Redskins luck has to run out on that at some point. Still Skins can definately win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt'n Obvious Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 If we win, I really wouldn't look at it as in upset. We are the better team. :logo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred7576 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 I really hope we beat them. We are looking at a probable 7-1 start if we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitman#21 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Not the end of the world if we lose but if we win would be very big, going 4-1 out of the gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 you need to post a link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
National Defense Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 if we can protect the ball, i like out chances. without a healty westy, the iggles O is average, and i like how we match up against average. they have no real weapons other than mcnabb's arm (not his legs), and while he will move the ball, he won't be able to explode like he did monday if we don't respect their run (which we won't with buckholter) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
National Defense Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 the iggles lost their real home field advantage when they moved to the linc. now their stadium is philly versions of boxed wine and cheese steakers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Waterboy Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Isn't the Vegas line something like Eagles by 5.5 ... 3 pts for home field, so eagles by 2.5 - somewhere between a safety and a fieldgoal, but this guy has it the other way with the Skins by a touchdown .... that's a 12 pt swing. I wonder if he is putting any money down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawaiianStyle Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Skins 28 Eagles 14 the eagles are hurt alot of players may play but not 100% good luck SKINS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidwayMonster31 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 If Westbrook doesn't play, that will make everything easier. Pressuring McNabb is something we had trouble with last week. For offense, this is going to be a huge test for Jason Campbell. The Eagles have been playing well against the run this year. If Campbell can get the quick passes off to offset the blitzes, that's one thing that would work to his advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidwayMonster31 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 If Westbrook doesn't play, that will make everything easier. Pressuring McNabb is something we had trouble with last week. For offense, this is going to be a huge test for Jason Campbell. The Eagles have been playing well against the run this year. If Campbell can get the quick passes off to offset the blitzes, that's one thing that would work to his advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aszumilo Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 It's hard to call the fifth game of the season a must-win, but falling to 0-2 in the NFL's premier division would be a huge blow to the Eagles' aspirations of making the Super Bowl. So, if we lose and fall to 1-2 in the division, are we who they thought we are? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Forget the injury report. We're going to get their best shot. Bank on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD.C RedskinsFan Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 I wouldn't mind if that final score was transported from a newspaper on Monday morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinC Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 I actually think we match up better on both sides of the ball versus Philly than we did against Dallas - especially if Westbrook is out or limited. I watched the game against the Bears Sunday and even though the Bears did almost nothing on offense in the second half the Eagles found a way to loose not win. Its always a hard game against Philly but I feel good about the match up going in. Turnovers will be key plus not getting away from the run even if its tough sledding in the early going - got to slow that blitz down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief skin Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 We would be in a very good position in the NFC East if we can knock the turd birds off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRay Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Stop it, don't pick us! lol I was about to say the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HereComesTheDiesel44 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 This needs to stop! Stop with the love and respect. I cant stand it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMalcolmConnection Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 Even if Westbrook DOES play, there's no way he's at 100%... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAAZ227 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 If we win this game, that would be HUGE!! Isn't McNabb banged up with a chest contusion?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRay Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 If we win this game, that would be HUGE!!Isn't McNabb banged up with a chest contusion?? Yes he is a little banged up as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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