Washington Football Team vs. Eagles Week 17 preview, score prediction
By Ian Cummings
Washington Football Team defense vs. Eagles offense
Earlier in the season, we wondered each week if the defense’s success was more than just a flash in the pan. Now, we can say that it is certainly more, and with confidence. The Washington Football Team’s defense has been one of the best units in the league all year, and with an extremely limited offense weighing it down, too.
Luckily, the Washington Football Team appears to be healthy on the defensive side of the ball. The line remains in tact, and remains disruptive with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Chase Young, and Montez Sweat all playing well. The linebacking core might have both Cole Holcomb and Kevin Pierre-Louis for the first time since Week 14, which is a huge plus. And the secondary will continue to benefit from Kendall Fuller, Ronald Darby, and Kamren Curl, all of whom have played well in the 2020-21 season.
The big competitive advantage for the Washington Football Team, at least on paper, is in the trenches, and that’s where their success will be generated. The Eagles’ offensive line is even more banged up than it was in Week 1. Lane Johnson is on injured reserve now, and the team’s backup tackle Jack Driscoll just hit injured reserve as well.
Philadelphia only has two rostered tackles — Brett Toth and Jordan Mailata. Mailata was a DNP in practice on Thursday. Things should still be competitive on the interior with Jason Kelce and Isaac Seumalo in the fold, but this tackle matchup represents a big opportunity for Young and Sweat. If there was ever a week for another Chase Young domination game like his performance against the 49ers, this is it.
The key for Washington in this one is simple. If the linebackers can play gap-sound football and force the Eagles to pass late in the game, Washington has to get pressure on Jalen Hurts. Hurts has the mobility to elude and make plays, but he’s also much more volatile and less consistent under pressure. Quick pressure could fluster Hurts and glean some poor decisions. Give him time to throw or improvise on his own schedule, and you might regret it.