NFC Game Of The Week
Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles
Washington: That was a tough loss on Sunday. I give them credit though because they fought hard to get themselves back into the game and the one thing I always applaud is effort. A team that leaves it all on the field is one that always will have my respect. I say this to my fellow analyst Cole Johnson all the time. Ron Rivera is a coach I’d want to suit up for if I were still playing because one, he’s a leader of men. He will get the best out of you and make you better. The other reason I respect him is that his players play hard for him every single Sunday. You can tell when players want to play for a coach and I see it with this Washington Football Team each time I watch them. Despite the loss on Sunday, there’s still a chance for them to make the playoffs. Quite frankly, nobody in the NFC wants to be a playoff team and at this moment, they are one of four teams in the NFC with an identical 6-7 record. They would make the playoffs right now if that were to start today. One of the shining points of this offense has been Antonio Gibson. When the offense travels through him, good things happen. In the loss to Dallas, the offensive line was horrible and they allowed no time in the pocket for Taylor Heinicke. They have another divisional game this Sunday.
Eagles: I can admit that I wasn’t expecting them to be in this position. But this is the 2021 NFL season in a nutshell because the unexpected has truly happened this year. I was expecting them to struggle and this is a rebuilding year. First, they fired Doug Pederson after a rocky 2020 season and hire former Colts offensive coordinator, Nick Sirianni. In their last six games, the Philadelphia Eagles are 4-2. It could easily be 5-1 if they don’t drop the ball to the New York Giants a few weeks back. What looked to be a down year at one point has turned into them fighting for a wild card spot in the entertaining NFC. When I last saw them play against the New York Jets, Jalen Hurts was out with an injury and Gardner Minshew stepped in. I was impressed by what I saw with him because the offense appeared to be a bit more structured, and I noticed more of a balanced attack with him under center. This isn’t a direct shot at Jalen at all, but after watching that game, I said on the radio the next day that they should stick with the hot hand and continue to play Gardner. On Sunday, they return home for a key showdown.
Washington X-Factor: Taylor Heinicke– I never know with him. One minute, he’s looking to be the answer as the next franchise quarterback, and the next, he’s struggling. He’s what I call “consistently inconsistent”. I never know which guy is going to show up. For Washington to succeed, he needs to be playing his best football. The question is can he do it?
Eagles X-Factor: Dallas Goedert– This is exactly why they decided to trade Zach Ertz. Dallas made Zach more expendable. It made no sense to have two tight ends who are similar to one another. He’s stepped up his game this year. He’s that possession tight end that can run the seam route and get outside to make the catch. Washington won’t have a single answer for him on Sunday.
Final Thoughts: This is a huge game in the NFC. These two of many teams with an identical 6-7 record. It’s key for this Washington offensive line to be better upfront. Give your quarterback time to throw the football. That was a major case last weekend against the Cowboys. Who’s the starting quarterback for the Eagles? Does Nick decide to stick with Minshew or will he bring Hurts back? I feel Gardner provides them with a spark and gives them a better chance to win. The Eagles should take a page out of the Cowboys playbook and consistently pressure Heinicke.
Prediction: Eagles 26, Washington 16
