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Redskins vs. Eagles: Week 13 offense and defense matchups, score prediction

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Head Coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins looks on from the sideline in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at FedExField on September 23, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Head Coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins looks on from the sideline in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at FedExField on September 23, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 23: Quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks to pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Redskins defense vs. Eagles offense

While the Redskins may be at a slight disadvantage on offense, their defense should be in better shape. That said, it will still be tough to gain an upper hand against the Eagles.

Carson Wentz has played poorly in consecutive weeks, and frankly, he didn’t look comfortable in the pocket against the Giant last week. If the Redskins can get some pressure on him with Ryan Kerrigan, Preston Smith, and Matt Ioannidis, they should be able to at least slow down the Philadelphia passing game.

The main weapons for Wentz in this game figure to be Zach Ertz, Alshon Jeffery, and Golden Tate. Considering that Tate hasn’t been that involved in the offense since being acquired from the Lions via a trade, the team won’t have to worry too much about him. They can put either Quinton Dunbar or Fabian Moreau on him depending on where he lines up. That should limit his upside enough.

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However, Jeffery and Ertz will be a bit more difficult to cover. Jeffery hasn’t played all that well this season, but he draws a matchup with Josh Norman. In recent weeks, Norman has been an up-and-down performer and given the physical, jump-ball ability of Jeffery, it may be hard for Norman to consistently shut him down. Expect this matchup to get physical, but it’s really a toss-up at best for Norman.

As for Ertz, he could have a huge game. The Redskins linebackers don’t cover well, so they will need to get some safety help on Ertz. They may be best served to double-team him, but it remains to be seen exactly how the squad will choose to defend Ertz.

While the passing game looks like a slight advantage for the Eagles, the run game will really decide who wins the battle. Josh Adams has been emerging as a power-back weapon for the Eagles. The Redskins run defense hasn’t been as strong in recent weeks as it was early in the year. Something will have to give here, and Daron Payne will be a key in that. If he can help slow Adams early, that could render the Eagles one-dimensional and help the ‘Skins defense to find success.

Overall, the Eagles still have a slight advantage here. Wentz should have a chance to rebound in front of a desperate home crowd that knows a win could get the Eagles right back in the thick of the divisional race. And a red-hot Wentz will be tough for the Redskins defense to stop.

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