How the Redskins can beat the Eagles in Week 1 of the 2019 NFL season

The Washington Redskins are starting off the 2019 NFL season with a tough matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Here’s how they can win the game.

Football season is back, and the burgundy and gold are set to face off against their longtime NFC East foes in Lincoln Financial Field for Week 1. With a new face behind center, and a revamped defense that looks to build off of last years success, here’s how the Redskins can win in the city of brotherly love.

Let’s start with the offense.

Offensively, the Redskins have struggled over the past few years. It’s hard to argue. Last year’s season was derailed by injuries, and none was more important than the broken leg suffered by their quarterback Alex Smith. But with a new draft and a pair of new quarterbacks at the helm, there are new strengths and challenges that face the 2019 squad.

To win in Philidelphia, the Redskins offense will have to answer to the strengths of Carson Wentz and the Super Bowl-caliber offense of the Eagles. It’s clear the Jay Gruden is coming into the season and has emphasized the importance of running the ball, and it helps now that Derrius Guice has returned from his season-ending injury last year.

But a good running game starts in the trenches.

With the future of Trent Williams completely unknown, the play of free-agent signing Donald Penn at left tackle and newly acquired left guard Ereck Flowers becomes that much more important. For the offense to click, the offensive line needs to hold their own. And that’s no easy task when you are facing down Fletcher Cox and the Eagles’ front seven. The line will struggle initially, but if they can find a rhythm and play to their strengths, the offense and running game can find some success.

Behind center brings us to Case Keenum, the Redskins starting quarterback for the foreseeable future.

Keenum will turn the ball over. It comes with the territory. But he will also make some plays with his feet, and take chances downfield that Smith never took. The key for Keenum will be to take chances, and push the ball downfield when he can. This, of course, leads to the higher chances of turning the ball over.

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That said, the 2018 Redskins showed a great ability to protect the ball, and an inability to push themselves downfield. Success on offense requires taking risks, and in an offense with young players everywhere, this offense needs to take chances. Between pushing the ball downfield to Robert Davis, Kelvin Harmon, and Paul Richardson, and working the middle of the field with a healthy Jordan Reed, the Redskins need to push the tempo themselves and make big plays. When you’re playing a defense like the Eagles, you will have to earn everything. You can’t earn anything without taking chances.

Defensively, the Redskins may have the strongest group of players going into week one in a number of seasons. Of course, they have weakness in the secondary and youth at the inside linebacker group, but the defensive line and the addition of former Giant Landon Collins in at safety are set to give a huge boost to the burgundy and gold.

The key for the Redskins defense is to pressure Wentz as much as possible.

Wentz has shown his ability to use his legs and pure athleticism time and time again since being selected second overall in the 2016 NFL draft. But the Redskins can help throw off his rhythm by bringing the pressure and bringing it often. Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis and Jonathan Allen have to disrupt the Eagles offensive pace and force Carson Wentz to get rid of the ball early.

The Eagles run a tempo offense and a fast-paced passing game that needs to be disrupted early and often to stop them. Taking away a running game and forcing Wentz to work the pocket and make fast decisions can force turnovers, and that is what the Redskins defense should be focusing in on.

Special teams can never be forgotten, of course.

Last year, Tress Way showed the world just how impactful a good punter can be. Some games just simply come down to a field position battle. The Redskins can’t find themselves backed up deep in their own territory, or it will make for a long afternoon in Philidelphia. Good kick returns, consistent extra points and field goals, and good punts will help take the pressure off of the offense.

Next. Five bold predictions for the Redskins season. dark

As Sunday approaches, and the finishing touches of preparations are made, the Redskins need to earn a win. The schedule to start the season is not going to be easy, but it won’t be impossible. Jay Gruden has his work cut out and all eyes will be on the Redskins to start 1-0.

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