Saturday Night Fever - Eagles v Redskins edition

[CRedskinsRule]

Saturday Night Fever - Skins vs Eagles.

Everyone knows the situation, win and we clinch, lose and we don't control the outcome.

We beat Philly at home earlier, some stats from that:
Bradford threw 3 TD's for a 122.6 rating
They had 270 yds threw the air
They punted 6 times.

Most of the media makes a big deal about Kelly's pace of offense, but I say this is the game that makes that a bad deal for the team. End of the year, players bodies are tired no matter what pace your team plays at, plus 1 day shorter recovery, and Christmas thrown in to mess up the training schedule.

Of course, our team has shown themselves to be at there best when the routine is closest to normal to, so this shortened week could really hurt our team, and we likely will be sleep walking through the first quarter. (PLEASE no pitchback to Alfmo at our goalline, I beg of thee J Gruden)

If we come out of the gates with the intent to win the division, I don't think this game is even close. The Skins have figured out an offensive game plan that moves the ball effectively, and relies on the strengths of our teams. No more pitchouts with JReed blocking please.

On defense, I feel sorry for Sam Bradford. I believe our DLine will have their way on the field, and see multiple hard sacks of him. I think he may even have multiple fumbles.

This is the Skins Season Statement Game and I think they show it loud and clear why they will be the 2015 NFC East Champs.
Skins 34 Iggles 18

[NoCalHail]

Bradford was hitting deep passes to Riley Cooper in the first meeting. That is probably what disappointed me the most, the fact that Riley Cooper was getting over the top of our secondary.

My ideal game would be similar to the Bills game where we jump out to a nice lead and pad it a bit so it takes away the ability of Philly to get back in the game off 1 or 2 "back-breaking" plays. Our defense usually gives up 1-2 HR plays a game. I really hope they stay disciplined enough to prevent that.

The whole thing about Chip Kelley's pace on offense? It only truly works if they are ending drives in points. It does their defense no service to be going at such a fast pace and coming off the field quickly in the even of not converting downs.

Our team should be not only smelling blood, but seeing the prize that awaits them with a victory. There is no better situation to be in than controlling your own destiny and getting it done.

'Skins 28
Eagles 17

P.S. Any injury updates for the 'Skins yet?

[calia]

I read a report that said that Philly's secondary is banged up -- to the point where EJ Biggers (remember him?) is starting and some undrafted rookie is likely to be their nickel. Our receivers ought to eat them alive. I think a key matchup will be Reed v. Kendricks, although if Reed is blanketed, I hope Cousins shows the flexibility to spread the ball to Garcon and Crowder (and take some deep shots with DJax, of course -- we won last time without him, but we will need him this week). Garcon has really been the man -- someone said he's the current Steve Smith -- makes really hard catches in traffic and gets pounded, but keeps coming back. I agree with the assessment. Had some clutch catches v. the Bills. Crowder could really be a difference maker in this game, I think -- Reed and DJax will command a LOT of attention from the Eagles, and we need to show that there are plenty of other weapons who can beat them -- guys with good YAC and hands. Would love to see some 4 WR sets on first down, just to mix it up.

It would also be great to establish a rushing game (outside of the long run by Alfmo last week, it was pretty quiet). I think with Cox in the middle, our best bet is to try to get to the edge (a little harder if Moses is out), which probably means more Matt Jones than Alfmo. We need enough of a run game to open up the pass -- just like with the Bears and Bills.

Worried about Cox wreaking havoc on the interior of our line. We will need to account for him; the other defenders aren't nearly as disruptive.

We could use another boost from a good special teams play. Ross -- looking to you for a nice return at some point, please.

This game has me nervous -- the Eagles have been giving up points like mad recently, and so we ought to be able to score. But can we keep them from scoring and getting behind our D like they did last time? Winning on the road in Chicago is one thing: that barely registers as a hostile crowd and they were already out of contention. Philly will be a very different environment. And I hate that so many of the sports pundits are now calling for the Skins to with the division. I preferred being the underdog.

[kingj]

The Eagles often beat themselves, a product of chip Kelly thinking he is smarter than everyone else and Bradford being a mistake prone, turnover machine.

The key IMO is the skins absolutely must cash in on the Eagles turnovers. The cards just feasted on Eagles mistakes as have other teams this season.

[calia]

Let's hope we see a little of this:

DeMarco Murray's death stare through Sam Bradford says it all - CBSSports.com

[over the mountain]

[punch it in]

Skins 33
Iggles 13

[calia]

Originally Posted by punch it in

Skins 33
Iggles 13

this is truly awesome

[punch it in]

Originally Posted by calia

this is truly awesome

It is! Especially since nobody else remembers it!

[Chief X_Phackter]

The offense will move the ball and score. I'm confident in that. This game comes down to preventing big plays on defense, and not making mistakes or giving up big plays on special teams.

I like the Skins 31 - 23

[Chico23231]

We are doing stuff again:

Redskins Sign Tight End Marcel Jensen

[Chico23231]

I don't want to hear any talking this week and I want us to play the most physical game of the year.

Bradford doesn't finish the game.

Skins 27
Philly 11

[Schneed10]

The latest on the Philly CB situation is Byron Maxwell still did not practice today, MRI revealed a sprain in his Sternoclavicular joint (which is where the collarbone connects to the sternum). Not a common injury but it's critical to your ability to thrust your arms forward (think a bench press movement).

He is very uncertain for Saturday's game.

Rookie CB Eric Rowe is in the concussion protocol. Unknown if he plays on Saturday. Even if he does he stinks anyway, at least at this stage of his career.

If neither play then your starting CBs are EJ Biggers (lol!) and Jaylen Watkins. The nickel would be Denzel Rice, an undrafted rookie free agent who hasn't taken a snap on defense yet.

Get you some, DeSean.

[skinsfaninok]

Eagles defense is better than they looked Sunday night. I don't see us rolling them but I do see us Winning by a touchdown.

27 20 skins.

Kirk 2 tds 1 Int
Bradford 2 tds 2ints.

[NoCalHail]

For what it's worth, Eagles looked semi competent on offense early on against the Cardinals. They couldn't however keep pace with a team that can score at will.

The last thing we can afford to do in this one is come out with a similar early game performance like we did against Dallas and let them hang around and make the game a "1 big play will determine things" kind of situation. That Dallas offense did pretty much nothing the entire game but by the 4th quarter all they had to do is hit 1-2 big pass plays and it made a difference.