NOTE: 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.
We have had a few weird previews of late, and this is another one! Washington will be without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, so this isn’t the easiest to preview. Regardless, let’s get into it.
Pass Game
Washington’s passing offense enters this matchup having struggled the majority of the season, and the late decision to shut down Jayden Daniels won’t help. To be honest, having watched both quarterbacks this year, I don’t think it is a ‘substantial’ difference. Daniels is clearly better and more explosive, but he’s been relatively safe with the football this year, and Marcus Mariota has been a little more aggressive. You would expect the veteran to be safer with the football, and the young guy to have more big-time throws, but it’s actually been the opposite way round. Mariota is a capable backup with good mobility and the ability to extend plays. However, the offense should not have the consistency to stress this Eagles’ defense.
The overall look of the scheme will remain similar without Daniels. This is a shotgun-heavy, RPO-based offense, and it feels like the offense is a little outdated compared to the modern offenses we are seeing around the league. I think the ceiling is noticeably lower without Daniels’ improvisational ability, but the Eagles have struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks this year, and Mariota can still escape and run.
The receiving corps is a little light, too. Terry McLaurin remains the true difference-maker, capable of winning vertically and after the catch. McLaurin is a very savvy route runner who has given Quinyon Mitchell trouble in the past, so I am fascinated to see that matchup this week. Deebo Samuel operates mainly from the slot and manufactures touches, as he isn’t a great route runner. Beyond that, Washington lacks separation and any real receiving talent. With Zach Ertz unavailable, the middle of the field becomes even less threatening. Zach Ertz will be a huge miss in the red zone, too.
Unlike the Eagles’ last two opponents, Washington’s offensive line is pretty good. However, at the time of writing this, I think Laremy Tunsil is going to be inactive. That is a huge loss, and it will leave Washington weak at both tackle spots. On the right side, rookie Josh Conerly has struggled all season with penalties and in pass protection, and that is an area the Eagles should look to attack. He is the one weakness on the offensive line. The interior is not bad at all, so I would attack Conerly and Tunsil’s backup as much as possible.
Ultimately, this passing game only works if Washington stays ahead of the sticks by running the ball on early downs. Once forced into third-and-long, the lack of talent and basic scheme will show up against this defense.
Run Game
The run game is the foundation of Washington’s offense. Due to injuries at receiver and average quarterback play, they are among the most run-heavy teams in the league. They use a lot of quarterback mobility to mask limitations elsewhere. The backfield operates by committee, but I don’t think either back is exceptionally talented. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has a little more burst and upside as a runner, while Chris Rodriguez offers more reliability but can’t create much by himself.
When the run game works, it is usually because the scheme and the offensive line’s play combine effectively. Kliff Kingsbury has built a run structure that maximizes the threat of the quarterback and uses motion to influence second-level defenders. Mariota’s presence adds another layer, as defenses must account for designed quarterback runs and scrambles. If you are going to live in the shotgun, you must make the quarterback a big part of the run game, and Washington does that. This will be a good test for the Eagles’ defense as they have struggled against mobile quarterbacks at times this year.
That said, this is not a physically dominant run unit. They don’t have that physical mentality that the Eagles have struggled with at times this year. If the Eagles shut down the run game, I don’t expect Washington to do a great deal on offense.
Final Thoughts
Washington’s offense can actually function (unlike the Raiders’), and the offensive line is much better than the Chargers. However, without Tunsil, it may become a weakness. The Eagles are clearly more talented, and if the defense stays disciplined against the run and generates some pressure without blitzing, this should be another good defensive performance. Mariota’s mobility will likely create some issues, but I expect those issues to lead to random gains rather than sustained offense. Still, any offense with Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel healthy is capable of making a big play or two. I would love to see Quinyon shut down McLaurin this week, as that would make me extremely happy and show his progression as one of the best corners in the game. That’s the matchup to watch out for!
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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