Five positives and negatives for Washington Football Team in win over Eagles
Positive 1
During the previous five seasons, give or take a few, many fans have been clamoring for coaches to make adjustments throughout the game as needed. While there weren’t too many adjustments against the Eagles, the coaches did just enough during the game and the process worked.
Probably the most interesting “adjustment” came when Rivera told the team to trust what the game plan entailed and stick to it. In other words, no undisciplined freelancing like we have seen over the years.
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Minor adjustments during the game included trying to pass more on the early downs, linebackers blitzing more often, and defensive linemen doing stunts and not too many of the bull-rushes. Again, it wasn’t anything major, but adjusting was certainly on display.
Negative 1
In the first quarter and for a portion of the second quarter, defensive penalties kept crucial drives alive for the Eagles. It was eerily reminiscent of teams in the recent past. Drives were kept alive by personal foul infractions and simple jumping offside penalties.
A third-and-5 offsides penalty resulted in a first down and Philadelphia scored a touchdown two plays later. The next drive – the same exact penalty. A third-and-7 became third-and-2. Several plays later the Eagles added a field goal. A personal foul penalty on the next Eagles drive aided the visitors as they were able to score another touchdown four plays later. 17 points.
Silly, mind-numbing penalties helped Philadelphia to a 17 point lead. A lucky break cut the Eagles lead to 10 at halftime, but untimely penalties hampered the WFT in the first half.