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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 7, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas (82) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Cam Sims (89) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Washington won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas (82) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Cam Sims (89) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Washington won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Washington outscores Philadelphia by 10 points in the first quarter

The Washington Football Team’s issues scoring early in contests this year are well-documented. Through Week 16, they are averaging only 2.7 points per game in the first quarter this season. That ranks second-worst in the NFL ahead of only the New England Patriots and their woeful offense’s 2.1.

Washington is also the only team in the NFL that has yet to record a single point on their opening drives this season. No NFL team has finished a season with zero points on their opening drive this century.

Can the team turn this around in the final game to avoid a mark of futility and finish the season as one of the worst first-quarter teams in the league? Well, they’re going to have to if they want to beat the Eagles.

Hurts’ Eagles have shown an ability to score quickly and given Washington’s struggles against mobile quarterbacks, the WFT has to be ready to get out of the gates quickly and build a nice lead with some cushion. Rivera and Co. know that this needs to happen, so he should have the team ready to come out of the gates swinging.

Washington will need to score on their opening drive in this game to truly have a shot at winning. They also may need a big defensive play or two to help set them up to score. If they can come in the first quarter, Washington should have a chance to outscore Philly by 10+ points in the first quarter.

Next. Reality checks for Washington vs. Eagles Week 17. dark

That won’t be easy, but that will certainly be a key to victory for Washington. If they can finally get the monkey off their back and build an early lead, Washington will have a chance to keep the Eagles at an arm’s length. That could prove huge to their chances of winning a division title.

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