3 players the Commanders must keep quiet vs. Eagles in Week 8

D'Andre Swift leads three players the Washington Commanders must keep quiet during their NFC East rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8.

What a difference a few weeks makes in the NFL. The Washington Commanders seemed primed to make some noise in 2023 after they played the powerhouse Philadelphia Eagles close at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 4. Now? Not so much.

Head coach Ron Rivera's team lost in overtime but emerged with a lot of credit and positivity. Flash forward four weeks and the Commanders are about the host Philadelphia after losing two out of three games in miserable fashion to the Chicago Bears and New York Giants.

To avoid making it five losses in their last six, Rivera's team must corral the following three threats. Starting with a running back putting together a breakout season.

Commanders must stop D'Andre Swift

He didn't live up to his draft status as a second-round draft pick for the Detroit Lions in 2020, but D'Andre Swift is averaging 5.1 yards per carry behind Philadelphia's dominant offensive line.

Swift has already amassed 514 yards and 27 first downs on the ground, per Pro Football Reference. He's also making people miss in the passing game, the way he did against the Miami Dolphins in Week 7.

Keeping Swift contained won't be easy for a Washington Commanders' defense gashed by Saquon Barkley against the New York Giants Giants. The former Penn State sensation rushed for 77 yards and snagged three passes for 41 receiving yards and a touchdown.

It's beyond overdue for Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio to coax better gap discipline and surer tackling from their beleaguered unit. That has to start against Swift, while Washington's coverage schemes can't overlook another key threat.