Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Five positives and negatives for Washington Football Team in win over Eagles

By Ken Johannesen

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Jimmy Moreland #20 of the Washington Football Team returns an interception against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on September 13, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Jimmy Moreland #20 of the Washington Football Team returns an interception against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedExField on September 13, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 13: Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Football Team sacks quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half at FedExField on September 13, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 13: Ryan Kerrigan #91 of the Washington Football Team sacks quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half at FedExField on September 13, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Positive 5

Team depth on the defensive line played a bigger role against the Eagles than most people realize.  Rotating defensive linemen in any game is a given, but when a team can rotate all eight players without losing any levels of quality production is truly incredible.

Washington is able to do so effectively and it was fully on display against Philadelphia. Such a rotation will allow the linemen to have fresh legs throughout the game.  Ryan Kerrigan played all of 22 snaps on Sunday and he was still named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

This defensive line is stacked and poised for greatness in 2020.

Negative 5

Calling out individual players is never a fun exercise, but two such starters on defense could’ve cost the Washington Football Team dearly against the Eagles. Ronald Darby allowed a 55-yard reception on a third and 22 play in the first quarter. Troy Apke was late to a 34-yard touchdown reception and was badly beaten on an overthrow that would’ve been a touchdown.

Both players need to break sooner to the ball and shouldn’t be fooled so easily on head fakes and double head fakes.

Final Thoughts

There are your Week One positives and negatives.  The positives are certainly the focus this week, but there are issues that need attention.  It’s only the first week and there is plenty of time to correct the negatives and deficiencies.  Building on the positives can only make the team better.  1-0 is a great start, but it is not perfect and there is plenty of room for improvement.

Next. Evaluating Dwayne Haskins' Week 1 performance. dark

We’ll return next week for the second installment of this series and throughout the season.

Home/Commanders News