NFL: Week Seven – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins
Philadelphia Eagles (27) vs. Washington Redskins (17)
This week’s Monday Night game quickly became the DeSean Jackson and Will Witherspoon as they led the Eagles to a comfortable ten point win in Washington. Jackson took an end around on the fourth play from scrimmage 69 yards to the house to put the Eagles up early. Trade deadline acquisition made his presence felt early corralling a tipped Jason Campbell pass at the nine yard line taking it in for a touchdown, and stripping Jason Campbell of the ball on the ensuing possession setting up a field goal to give the Eagles a 17-0 lead.
Donovan McNabb delivered the death blow hitting a streaking Jackson on a 57-yard touchdown pass with just under 2:00 to play in the first half putting the Eagles up 27-7 effectively putting the game out of reach.
Except for the big plays of DeSean Jackson the offense was not particularly sharp for the Eagles. The offensive line was not opening holes for Brian Westbrook or LeSean McCoy and McNabb was rarely given enough time to set up and take shots down the field. Even when he did have time McNabb’s throws seemed to be coming up short all night long. The play-calling also seemed to be lacking in some imagination as the Eagles continually ran screens and runs off tackle with little success. The offense generated just 262 yards of offense and was just 4 for 15 on 3rd down conversions, and it seemed as though they were continually trying to convert on 3rd and long due to bad penalties and not being able to effectively run the ball.
The team’s saving grace on offense was the fact that the ‘Skins did not have anyone on defense who could keep up with Jackson when he got into the open field. Without Jackson’s big plays the Eagles might not win that game and definitely would have had to scrap in the second half for the win.
Fortunately, for the Eagles, the defense got little resistance from an inept Redskins offense and made plays all night long to keep the game out of reach for Washington. Witherspoon led a defensive assault that sacked Washington quarterback Jason Campbell six times and forced four Redskins’ turnovers.
Campbell never really found a rhythm in the pocket and was constantly moving around trying to find passing lanes to deliver his passes. Campbell completed 29 of 43 passes but a lot of that came in the second half when the Eagles were playing looser defensively just looking to take time off the clock late in the game. The Redskins ran just 33 plays for just 137 yards in the first half.
Ultimately the Redskins simply looked lost out there Monday Night. They had the look of a team who has already packed it in for the year. They look leaderless, clueless, and heartless which is not a good combination in the NFL.
The Eagles have the Giants coming up on the schedule this weekend and they have a ton of work to do on the offensive line if they want to win this game. Reid’s teams generally play well against the Giants, and the Giants are reeling a bit, but, Philadelphia’s offensive line did not play well last night. McNabb was constantly facing pressure and McCoy was getting hit in the backfield before he ever got a chance to find and hit the hole at the line. Todd Herremans and Jamaal Jackson struggled all night long to keep Albert Haynesworth out of the backfield.
The offensive line was supposed to be re-made and much improved this year but it still seems to be struggling to come together due to several starters missing significant chunks of time during training camp and the pre-season games. Fortunately, for the Eagles, the Giants front four has been struggling to generate a consistent pass rush this season but how long is that going to last?
McNabb also needs to get his accuracy back in check. He threw too many passes at the feet of his receivers last night. Even on the big play he hit Jackson was under-thrown. Going up against an ailing, struggling Giants secondary this weekend should present them with some opportunities to take some shots down field to Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.
With Eli Manning being bruised and battered Philadelphia should be able to win this game as long as they can pressure Manning into rushing his throws and give McNabb time to take shots down the field to his big play receivers.
News, Notes, and Observations
Brian Westbrook left the game in the first quarter with a concussion after taking knee to the head/neck area. He was able to walk out on his own power and was back on the sideline for the second half of the game and it is not thought to be too serious.
Chris Cooley was carted off the field early in the game and reportedly suffered a broken ankle, and is out indefinitely. This is a huge blow to a floundering Redskins team. Cooley is arguably their best player right now and is an offensive leader of sorts. I would be surprised if he plays again this year given the state the team is liable to be in by the time he is actually healthy enough to play.
Fred Davis had a career night in place of the injured Cooley posting career highs with 8 catches, 78 yards, and scoring his first career touchdown.
After last night’s heroics DeSean Jackson leads the league with six plays from scrimmage of 40 yards or more including five catches and one running play. He also has an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown on his resume this season as well. Jackson has turned in a at least one big play in five of the Eagles six games and has scored in four out of six games. The Eagles are 3-1 in games where Jackson scores a touchdown this season.
Trent Cole recorded his first two sack game of the season and has recorded at least half-a-sack in every game for the Eagles this season.
Andre Carter notched a sack for the third straight game and has 5.5 sacks over the past three games for the ‘Skins.
Albert Haynesworth recorded a sack for the second straight game and wreaked havoc all night long.
Brian Orakpo was held sackless for the first time in five games.
Devin Thomas had a career night for him scoring his first career touchdown, posting a career high of 45 yards, and matching his career best of 3 catches.
Brent Celek had a season low output of three catches and eight yards.
Akeem Jordan had a season high of 10 tackles for the Eagles Monday night.
Broderick Bunkley had his first sack of the season in addition to a tackle-for-loss against the Redskins.
