Week 14 Preview

Get reacquainted with the Redskins

 

It was not even a month ago that the Eagles and Redskins renewed their rivalry on a rainy afternoon at the Linc, a contest which the Birds won in convincing fashion, 27-3. Since then, each team has gone 1-2 and seen some major lineup adjustments. We are all familiar with the Eagles’ trials and tribulations, from the blowouts to the thrillers, from McNabb to Garcia, and so forth. For the Redskins’ part, they gave Tampa a tough game right up to the last minute in a 20-17 loss, then upset Carolina 17-13 thanks to their best defensive effort of the year, and last week gave up a two-touchdown lead in a 24-14 loss to the Falcons.

 

The most visible change in Washington has been the replacement of the two most important offensive starters. After the loss in Philly, coach Joe Gibbs chose to sit quarterback Mark Brunell in favor of second-year pro Jason Campbell. Campbell started his NFL career with two respectable outings, but last week threw two interceptions, one of which led to the game-winning touchdown. Campbell has done all of this without the benefit of Clinton Portis lining up behind him, thanks to a hand injury Portis suffered in the Eagles game. Ladell Betts, who filled in for Portis with little success earlier in the year, gets the bulk of the work and has surpassed the 100-yard mark each of the last two weeks.

 

Injuries have also wreaked havoc on the Redskins throughout the season, but everyone should be healthy for Sunday’s game. For the offense, star wideout Santana Moss will play but admits he is not quite at 100%, and tackle Jon Jansen has spent minimal time on the practice field this week. The biggest concern on defense is nickel back Kenny Wright, who started in place of Shawn Springs last week. Wright has been bothered by a knee injury and is doubtful, which means we could see more of the very beatable Mike Rumph. Speaking of Springs, he returns after a one-week hiatus (see below).

 

What to expect on Sunday

Though they have not been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention yet, the Redskins seem to have accepted their role as potential spoilers. Joe Gibbs has made it clear that he expects improvement in the final four games by playing “Redskins Football”; that is, smart yet smash-mouth play on both sides of the ball. If Gibbs wants to convince his players to play for pride, all he needs to do is remind them that the Eagles are a division rival who owned them in the year’s first meeting and that needs a win to keep their playoff hopes afloat. The Eagles face a potential let-down and will have to deal with the NFL’s largest crowd, who would love nothing more than to see the Birds leave FedEx in disappointment. However, the Eagles have plenty of reasons to get pumped up for this game (did we mention it’s against the hated Redskins?) and should give their best effort from the outset, as we have seen in their three previous division games.

 

When the Eagles have the ball

The Eagles go up against a very suspect defensive unit. The key will be keeping the ’Skins on their toes with smart play-calling, a formula that worked well against the Panthers last week. Pay particular attention to Jeff Garcia in the red zone; he will need to find open receivers quickly and make smart throws to get his team into the end zone. Garcia probably should have been intercepted twice last week because of poor decisions, but luck was on his side. The Eagles will probably rely on Garcia’s arm to score against a Washington defense that has given up fewer rushing touchdowns (4) than anyone in the NFL, but conversely has allowed a league-worst 23 passing TDs. Two Eagles who put up big numbers in the Redskins’ visit last month could be poised for big games again.

 

One of the biggest reasons for the Eagles’ success last week was Donte Stallworth, whose reliable play and ability to haul in the long ball gave the Philly offense a more vertical dimension. Stallworth also had a big game the last time out against Washington, catching 6 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles’ speedster should have no problem beating the Redskins’ aging safeties; the key matchup here will come against corner Shawn Springs. Springs, who has been troubled by hamstring injuries all year, started five straight games before sitting out last week. Stallworth can get a leg up on Springs if he can be a little more physical than usual in the 5-yard contact zone and force Springs to keep up with him. As we have seen all year, the Eagles’ offense is much more effective when they establish deep threats, and Donte has a golden opportunity to put together back-to-back big games.

 

Brian Westbrook had similar success in the year’s first meeting, gaining over 100 yards on the ground and providing an average of 5 yards per play from scrimmage. He will once again be called on as the primary chain-mover for Philadelphia and should have little trouble matching last month’s production. No surprise there. However, B-West may be able to surpass those numbers if Correll Buckhalter can build on his encouraging performances over the course of the last month. Buck will only get about 5 or 6 touches a game and maybe one ball thrown his way, and Marty Mornhinweg needs Correll to make the most of those opportunities so that the often fragile Westbrook can stay fresh. Buckhalter has averaged 4.25 yards per carry in his last three games.

 

When the Redskins have the ball

Every Eagles opponent knows that the Philadelphia run defense is one of the league’s weakest, and the Redskins’ backfield will be no exception. Without Portis, the ’Skins are left with a pair of power backs in Ladell Betts and T.J. Duckett. Betts will be out to prove that he is worth the fat 5-year contract extension he signed this week. As mentioned above, he has recently flourished as a starter. Duckett, who made his name as a vulture back in Atlanta, has only really been healthy for the second half of the season and has yet to score. Duckett’s production dropped off sharply against Carolina and Atlanta, so he may see more limited action than usual. Fullback Mike Sellers, a decent blocker and a safe passing option, may also get a carry or two.

 

What this means for the Eagles is that the linebackers must give Jim Johnson a heroic effort on Sunday. Omar Gathier will get the start for the second week in a row, and fans have to hope his energy will rub off on Trotter and Dhani. Indeed, Jones may be playing for his future with the Eagles. In addition to containing the ground attack, Jones will usually be responsible for tight end Chris Cooley. Cooley has great playmaking ability, though he had just three catches for 39 yards against the Eagles in November. Limiting the run game will put all of the pressure on Jason Campbell and force the Redskins to beat the secondary, the defense’s strong point of late.

 

Despite all of Jim Johnson’s blitzing and all of the speed on the defensive line, it has now been three weeks since the Eagles have registered a sack. With the raw Campbell under center, it would behoove the Eagles to rattle him early and often on Sunday. Trent Cole is a prime candidate to end the sack drought, as he will be matched against the aforementioned Jon Jansen. Jansen claims his nagging calf injury will have subsided enough to allow him to play, and Gibbs trusts the veteran’s word. Of course, players will rarely take themselves out of a game willingly, and Cole’s aggressive play will be a truth serum for Jansen.

 

Special Teams

The Eagles’ special teams have been clicking recently, and the only real question mark is Reno Mahe. In a full-time role as a kick/punt returner, he has neither been impressive nor disappointing, just ok. We saw Brian Westbrook on the field for a punt return last week, which is not usually something we like to see given his medical history. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this again if the ’Skins are backed up deep in their own territory. A big return would be a great way to energize the team and muffle some of the crowd noise.

 

The Redskins dumped placekicker Nick Novak last week in favor of Shaun Suisham (2-2 on PATs, missed FG vs. Atlanta), who saw action with the Cowboys in September and October as a kickoff specialist. With just 7 NFL games under his belt, Suisham has yet to send a ball between the uprights from further than 32 yards and missed a 50-yard attempt last week. Gibbs may be more confident going with his 4^th-down offense (5-11 this year, 45.5%) than Suisham’s leg (1-3 on FGs this year, 33%) outside the 25 or 30.

 

Prediction: Eagles 20  Redskins 14