The Washington Redskins are taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in the first week of the 2019 NFL season. Here are some answers to questions we had about the Eagles.
The 2019 NFL regular season has officially kicked off. The Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears got the league’s 100th anniversary started with a playing of the league’s oldest rivalry on Thursday night. And on Sunday, the Washington Redskins will be playing a rivalry game of their own against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Redskins saw the Eagles twice last year and dropped both games. But, the two teams are looking vastly different in 2019. For starters, the Redskins will have their non-third-string quarterback opening the season as the starter and the Eagles have made some additions to their team as well.
We’ve been focused heavily on the Redskins here at Riggo’s Rag, so we wanted to get some intel on just how the Eagles have looked so far this year. We decided to discuss the team with Geoffrey Knox, the site co-expert for our sister site, Inside the Iggles, in hopes that we could get some more information about the Redskins’ NFC East rival this season. Without further ado, here are Geoffrey’s answers to our questions.
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1. What are your expectations for the Eagles this season?
Geoffrey Knox: The Eagles are dealing with something major this season, Super Bowl aspirations. Anything less than that will be a major disappointment. We’ve seen this team win with reserves in important positions. Much of the belief is, had that pass not slipped through Alshon Jeffery’s hands, Philly would have been in the NFC Championship Game. Had that happened, who knows? They seem to have the Rams number, and in my opinion, if they can figure out the two teams that seem to have the most success at limiting them, the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, then, this could be a very special season for the ‘Birds’.
I’m not worried about Dallas. I feel they’ll do their usual Dallas thing, start hot and cool off later, but I do recognize that Philly’s also 0-4 with Ezekiel Elliott in the lineup. I think, at worst, Philly splits with them and both teams will win on the other team’s home turf. This can be a big season. I think the best-case scenario is a Super Bowl victory. I think the worst-case scenario is an NFC Championship Game loss to either those Saints or Seahawks, especially if Philly has to hit the road in that game.
2. Do the Eagles have a weakness that the Redskins could exploit?
Knox: On paper, this team doesn’t seem to have a weakness, but as you know, football isn’t played on paper. I do have concerns. I’m not sure how I feel about this squad along the offensive line’s interior. Though I believe Kelce is great, we all know Brandon Brooks is attempting to come back from an injury and that means, if he can’t go, the only other guy they have that’s actually played guard in an NFL game is Isaac Seumalo. Halapoulivaati Vaitai made the transition from tackle to guard during the offseason, and that may have extended his shelf life. We’ll have to see how that translates to games.
There’s also the linebackers, where outside of Nigel Bradham, Nathan Gerry, and Kamu Grugier-Hill, there’s been a complete overhaul. We’re really still getting to know those guys. The cornerback position is riddled with injury. Cre’Von LeBlanc is on IR. Jalen Mills is on the PUP list. That means Philly goes into battle with Avonte Maddox, Sidney Jones, and Rasul Douglas, and possibly, Ronald Darby (who just got back from injury). Fingers are crossed that no one gets hurt.
3. Which matchup are you most interested in watching?
Knox: I honestly think Josh Norman is overrated. He struggled to get on the field early in his career, and Carolina had bad corners. He exploded in 2015, and from what I see, he gets a lot of pub, normally from Josh Norman, because he’ll come up with big plays at the right time. While I do think he’s a very good corner, I don’t think he’s elite. Still, I recognize that he may be the Redskins’ best cover guy. I’m not sure he’ll be shadowing Alshon Jeffery, but history has shown us that may be the gameplan. Philly’s receivers versus the Redskins’ secondary and what happens between Lane Johnson and Ryan Kerrigan will, I think, decide what Philly is able to do on offense.
Also, it may sound cliche, but I think the Eagles pass rush will need to rattle Case Keenum in the Redskins’ passing game. If they do that and make Washington one dimensional, I think the ‘Birds’ win.
4. Who’s one Eagles player we should know about who we don’t already know?
Knox: Daeshon Hall exploded in the preseason, racking up four sacks and three forced fumbles, and everyone’s hoping that translates to the regular season. Philly’s got to find some way to mix him into the defensive end rotation. I’m not sure how familiar you guys are in D.C. with Avonte Maddox or Dallas Goedert, but those guys will pay huge dividends in 2019. Philly landed Maddox in last year’s draft. The hope was he’d be good. I don’t think anyone believed he’d be as good as he is. He’s Philly’s third corner and he could be the top guy on some rosters, as could Rasul Douglas. He’s a ball hawk with playmaking ability. I hope he’s utilized more in 2019.
As far as Goedert, he was our second-round selection in 2018, and dude is a baller. Zach Ertz gets all of the national attention, and rightfully so, but Goedert is a game-changer who coaches say you can swap in and out for Ertz seamlessly. There’s a reason Philly’s only carrying two tight ends.
5. How do you think this game will go and what will the final score be?
Knox: When it’s all said and done, I think, right now, the Eagles are better than Washington is. I think they’re better at quarterback, and Washington would rather have Dwayne Haskins or Alex Smith out there. I think Adrian Peterson is too old now, and that will catch up with him this season. I think Philly’s got the better coach and offense. I’m not sure about the defenses yet, but I do believe if the Redskins’ defense is out there too long, they’ll wear down.
I think that’s the storyline here. It will be close early, maybe for a half. Then, Philly will find their rhythm on offense and pull away. I think the Eagles win by two touchdowns. The final score will read Eagles 31, Redskins 17.
Thanks to Geoffrey for taking time to answer all of our questions about the Eagles. Give him a follow on Twitter @GQ_4_Eva to see all of his latest work.