FYI: I had an issue with my NFL Pro and my recording software, so this one will have no film clips. Apologies, but I’m hoping it will be resolved quickly.
Pass Defense
Washington’s defense has become one of the weakest units in the NFL statistically, and that assessment holds up on film. This is an old and slow group that has struggled to adapt to the modern game as the season has worn on.
The coverage structure feels flawed in a number of different ways. Linebackers struggle badly in space, with Frankie Luvu offering blitz value but little else, and Bobby Wagner no longer able to carry vertical routes or close throwing windows. Wagner is a huge liability in coverage. I would love to see the Eagles commit to some under center play-action and go after the intermediate areas of the middle of the field. I expect those zones to be wide open if the Eagles can get the linebackers coming downhill.
Behind the linebackers, the secondary is struggling with injuries and a lack of talent. Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos are unavailable, leaving young corners exposed against good receivers this year. Mike Sainristil has playmaking instincts, but has also allowed significant production when targeted. Washington plays a lot of cover 1, and the Eagles should look to throw vertically outside the numbers when they get single-high coverage. They don’t have cornerbacks who can handle AJ Brown or DeVonta Smith.
Their most significant issue is the lack of pass rush. They don’t have enough to win with just 4, but they don’t blitz a lot or use a ton of simulated pressure. This allows quarterbacks to sit in the pocket and attack the intermediate middle of the field, an area Washington has failed to protect all season.
Run Defense
I have been a big proponent of the quarterback run game, but I would be cautious with Jalen Hurts in this game. Frankie Luvu is either aggressive or dirty (depending on what team you support), and he has already knocked Hurts out of a game once. If the Eagles do get Hurts on the move, I hope they tell him to slide early or get out of bounds.
The Eagles might not need the quarterback run game to be a big thing this week, anyway. Poor run fits, missed tackles, and soft interior play have led to a bad run defense for most of the season. They are giving up 136 rushing yards a game for a reason. Javon Kinlaw, signed to be a stabilizing force inside, has been ineffective both anchoring and shedding blocks. Frankie Luvu plays tough but is very inconsistent and can end up being blocked or in the wrong gap entirely. Wagner is still a good run defender, but he can’t do it by himself.
This is a great week to get the running game going. The Eagles need to commit to making their run game an identity again. That means under-center work, downhill runs, and consistent physicality on early downs. This is not just about winning this matchup. I want to continue to see an identity from this offense.
Final Thoughts
The Eagles enter this game as heavy favorites, and rightfully so. Washington’s defense simply does not have the talent or structural integrity to stop this offense. If the Eagles lean into the run game and then use play-action off of this, they should do very well. Washington’s linebackers and outside corners are real issues. I don’t want to sound too confident, but I want to do more than just win this week. I am hopeful this game will be a meaningful step toward stabilizing the Eagles’ offensive identity for the playoffs, just as it was last week against the Raiders.
Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcast here. If you would like to support me further, please check out my Patreon here!
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