5 Bold Predictions For Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles NFL Week 14
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles are getting ready to square off in a big time battle this Sunday. Here are some bold predictions for the game.
It is that time of the week again. Game day for the Washington Redskins! The team is getting ready for a huge contest in Week 14 with their divisional rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. The Redskins are currently sitting at 6-5-1 and find themselves just a half game out of the playoff race. Getting a win on Sunday will be extremely important for them to keep pace in the race.
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That said, the Eagles are looking like a relatively easy matchup. They have a record of 5-7, but they are 2-7 in their last nine games. They had a strong start to the season, but the overall talent level is just not there yet for them. In the future, they will have a chance to be competitive but it appears that they are out of the running as of now.
However, the Eagles will still give the Redskins a tough game. After all, they are divisional rivals and the Eagles will look to prevent the Redskins from making it to the postseason. Here is a look at some bold predictions for the Redskins as they try to notch an important win.
Sep 18, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) defends a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Cowboys won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
5. Bashaud Breeland Leads Team In Tackles
This may seem like an odd prediction, but hear me out. The Eagles do not have the greatest receiving corps right now. Jordan Matthews is the only half decent player garnering a lot of time, and it seems likely that Josh Norman will be able to make him a non-factor. For that reason, Carson Wentz will focus on targeting whichever receiver goes up against Bashaud Breeland. That could end up allowing Breeland to have a huge statistical game.
Breeland has not been great in coverage this season, but he has been good in terms of tackling. That said, the third year pro could give up a good amount of short completions to Dorial Green-Beckham or Nelson Agholor. He should be able to limit them in terms of yardage, but he will allow some completions.
At the end of the day, Breeland could end up reaching double digit tackles. He could end up with even more if the team plays him at safety for a few snaps, given that they lack players at the position this week due to injuries. No matter what, Breeland will put up some big numbers. The Redskins need to hope that they end up going in favor of the team.
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins guard Arie Kouandjio (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
4. Arie Kouandjio Allows 2 Sacks
The Redskins are dealing with a couple of injuries across the offensive line this week. They will be without starting center Spencer Long, and it also looks like Shawn Lauvao will be out due to an injury he suffered. If Lauvao cannot go, then the Redskins would likely allow Arie Kouandjio to start the game. That could end up having mixed result for the team.
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Kouandjio only has one NFL start under his belt, and it was a rather underwhelming one. He got a chance to go against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4 this season, but he had issues dealing with the Cleveland defensive linemen. Kouandjio was constantly pushed back and Kirk Cousins took a beating as a result. Because they were playing the Browns, it was not too big of a deal. Against the Eagles, things may be a bit different.
The Eagles sport a very strong defensive front led by perennial Pro-Bowler Fletcher Cox. He is joined by the ever solid Bennie Logan who is excellent in run defense. The duo could give Kouandjio fits as they try to power through and push him into the Redskins backfield.
Because of this, I think that Kouandjio will be a weak point for the offense. I think that he will be guilty of a couple sacks of Cousins, and that could cause the Redskins offense some problems. If he struggles mightily, the team may have to resort to playing Kory Lichtensteiger at the position just for the week.
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) hands the ball off to running back Robert Kelley (32) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
3. Rob Kelley Goes Over 100 Yards Against Eagles Defense
In the last game that the Redskins played against the Eagles, Matt Jones was the starting running back. He posted over 100 yards on the supposedly strong Eagles defense. Now, the team will get a chance to see what dynamic rookie Rob Kelley will be able to do.
Since taking over for Jones, Kelley has been a solid lead back. He is not a long term workhorse back, but he is still having a strong rookie season. Kelley is going to have a chance to put up some big numbers for the team for a number of reasons.
The first is that Trent Williams will be making his return on the offensive front. The stud left tackle was having a stellar season prior to his month long suspension, and the unit should be upgraded with his return. Williams should be able to help the guards double up on Fletcher Cox while still making an impact on the edge.
The big difference for the Eagles this time around is that Bennie Logan will be fully healthy for the entirety of the game. Logan was injured in the team’s Week 6 matchup, and he is the team’s best run stuffer. He could try and slow down Kelley, but I still think that the back will rip off some strong gains on Sunday. Seeing him break the century mark would not surprise me at all.
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2. Ryan Kerrigan Notches 2 More Sacks
Last time the Redskins faced the Eagles, Ryan Kerrigan put on a clinic. He was playing against rookie right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and he schooled the fifth round pick. This week, he will get a chance to do the same, though Vaitai will not be the man at the tackle position for the Eagles.
Allen Barbre is going to be starting at right tackle since Vaitai is injured. Barbre has been a pretty solid starter for the Eagles at left guard, but playing out of position at right tackle has been more of a challenge for him. Kerrigan is going to be a more than formidable opponent for Barbre to face, and that will be an issue.
Because of the favorable matchup, it is fair to expect that Kerrigan will put together a strong performance. The Redskins will look to constantly get Kerrigan a quality matchup on the edge and he should notch a couple of sacks. It could end up being one of the biggest games of the year for him.
Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Redskins 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
1. DeSean Jackson Records 150+ Receiving Yards, 1 TD
As I said earlier in the week, DeSean Jackson is the top player to watch in the game against the Eagles. Jackson is going to have a chance to put up some big numbers against his former team. He is on a hot streak and Kirk Cousins is getting more comfortable with his deep ball accuracy. That will allow Jackson more freedom to go down the field and make big plays.
Making matters better for Jackson, the Eagles have a pretty weak group of cornerbacks right now. Leodis McKelvin is nearing the end of his career while Nolan Carroll is only a decent No. 2 option. Neither player really has the speed to keep pace with Jackson, so that means that rookie Jalen Mills may draw the task. Mills is still developing at the corner position, so he could have some major issues.
Because of this, Jackson is going to be able to burn the Eagles deep on a few occasions. He could catch a couple of very long passes, and that will allow him to put up some monster numbers. At the end of the day, Jackson should be able to record over 150 receiving yards. He also could reel in a long touchdown and show off his explosive, game breaking speed.