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Washington Football Team: Five bold predictions vs. Eagles in Week 17

By Jacob Camenker

Sep 13, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team running back Peyton Barber (34) celebrates with teammates after scoring the go ahead touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2020; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team running back Peyton Barber (34) celebrates with teammates after scoring the go ahead touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) rolls out against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) rolls out against the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jalen Hurts runs for over 100 yards

Washington has had trouble with mobile quarterbacks this year. Lamar Jackson, Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, and even Daniel Jones have used their legs to beat the team in their games, and when they get to the outside or free into the second level, the team has had trouble bringing them down.

They will continue to have issues with Jalen Hurts at the helm. In three starts, Hurts has averaged 79.3 rushing yards per game on 12.7 carries. He gets a high volume of carries via RPOs and scrambles, and Washington could have trouble containing him, especially since Hurts’ volume could increase in this game.

With Miles Sanders out of action for the Eagles, Boston Scott and Corey Clement will be the top runners out of the backfield. Scott has been a good fill-in for Sanders, but in Week 1 against Washington with Sanders out, Scott had just 35 rushing yards on nine carries. He figures to struggle again versus a strong, athletic defensive front.

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Because of that, Hurts will need to manufacture more of the rushing offense himself. He simply stands the best chance of beating that elite defensive line, as he can either get them to bear down hard on the running back or freeze in place with a good fake. And on passes, if he pump-fakes, he may be able to get them to pause and put their hands up to open up more scrambling room for him.

If Hurts gets sufficient opportunities to run, he will have a chance at 100+ rushing yards during the game. This will be a tough test for him, and a good test for the Washington defense as well, but the matchup here currently favors the Eagles.

Maybe Washington will have a great plan to contain Hurts in place with Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Or maybe Hurts won’t play a full game if the Eagles fall behind. But for now, expect Hurts to run for over 100 yards for the second time in his brief NFL career — even if Young, Sweat, and Co. can sack him a handful of times.

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