Can Washington’s Defense Contain Philadelphia’s High-Powered Offense?

Coming into this season, there were two things that most would have thought: the Philadelphia Eagles have a high-powered offense, and the Washington Redskins have a horrendous defense.

Through two weeks of the 2014 season, as expected, the Eagles’ offense leads the NFL averaging 303 yards per game. But — the surprising factor thus far — Washington’s defense is first in the NFL giving up just 234.5 yards per game.

Yes, you can sit there and talk about how the Redskins have “only” played the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, while the Eagles have played the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts. But, last time I checked, a win is a win in the NFL. And, teams can’t control who is on their schedule and when they play them.

With that said, the Redskins’ defense has played outstanding throughout the first two weeks of the season. They only allowed 10 points in both games — and that wasn’t a fluke.

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The two touchdowns that they’ve allowed this season, both came due to mistakes by safety Bacarri Rambo — in which the Redskins cut him this week to make room for safety Brandon Meriweather.

Meriweather will be returning Sunday after serving a two-game suspension because of a helmet-to-helmet hit during the preseason. But, his return couldn’t have come at a better time.

Going up against such an efficient offense in the Eagles, the Redskins need every defensive player to be clicking on all cylinders.

They have to communicate properly, as the Eagles will run hurry up offense for the majority of the game. Philadelphia’s offense can be so fast at times, and if they can catch the opposing defense off guard for just one play, it can lead to a touchdown.

It will be very important for linebackers Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley Jr. to be on top of their games. Eagles running backs LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles can be handfuls to say the least.

They’re dual threats. Both can catch the ball out of the backfield, and when given the proper amount of room, they both have breakaway speed.

Sproles showcased what he is capable of doing Monday night against the Colts. He rushed for 26 yards and a touchdown, but also caught seven catches for 152 yards.

As McCoy put it after Monday night’s comeback victory, “Without Sproles, we’d be in some trouble.”

Sproles has made game changing plays in both of the Eagles’ first two games, which has helped allow them to come away with victories.

The Redskins’ defense has to do whatever they can to prevent McCoy and Sproles from having big games. If the Redskins start becoming too concerned with the running backs – because of their production — players like wideouts Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper will begin to make plays.

I believe the Redskins have to stall those fast paced drives by sacking Eagles quarterback Nick Foles a few times. Outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is coming off a four-sack game, as his team finished with 10 for the game last week — tied for the most in franchise history.

When the Redskins’ front-seven dominates, it allows the secondary to make plays. It can also prevent Foles from making deep throws down the field, as his receivers won’t have the time to get open.

Going up against the No. 1 ranked offense is never an easy task, but then again — like I said — the Redskins are a top ranked defense. Sunday gives them the opportunity to truly prove that.

Josiah Turner