A few years ago the NFL schedule makers made sure every Week 17 game would be between division opponents. For the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins, they get a chance to start the season out that way.
The Game: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins (+1.5)
The History
The all-time history between the two teams is solidly in the Redskins’ favor. Washington leads 86073-5 and has just been running up the score, winning the last five match ups since December, 2014.
Before that the Eagles won three consecutive games from September, 2013 to September, 2014. The longest Philadelphia win streak was eight games from September, 1947 to November, 1950.
The Eagles and then Boston Redskins played their first game against each other on October 21, 1934. The Redskins won 6-0. While based in Boston, the Redskins lost just one game in five match ups against Philadelphia, 7-6, on November 3, 1935.
From that first game in 1934 until November, 1942 the Eagles won a total of two games over the Redskins. Washington/Boston won 15 out of 18 games and there was one tie, 31-31, in October, 1944.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
It’s year two of the Carson Wentz era and the Eagles did all they could to make sure he’d have the tools to succeed. They brought in LeGarrette Blount to add power to the running attack and his new starting receivers are both big play guys, speedster Torrey Smith and former Pro Bowler Aslhon Jeffery. Blount scored 18 touchdowns on the ground with the New England Patriots last season and while no one sees that happening in Philly, he’ll be a monster on short yardage situations and the goal line.
At tight end, the Eagles are two men deep with legit NFL starters with Zach Ertz and Brent Celek. Their offensive line is probably in the top half of the league, led by their tackles, Jason Peters and Lane Johnson.
On defense, head coach Doug Pederson was handed some decent tools last season and he’s only added to them, bringing in defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan to plug the middle of the defensive line and drafting Derek Barnett, who was my top rated defensive end in last April’s draft. Yes, I had him ranked over Myles Garrett. You will too when this season is over.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
While I wouldn’t put Jay Grudon atop my list of head coaches that could get fired at season’s end, he’s definitely on it. Not only did the Redskins lose their offensive coordinator when Sean McVay took the head coaching job of the Los Angeles Rams, they also let all their wide receivers go with the exception of the underrated Jamison Crowder. Replacing Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson are free agent acquisition Terrelle Pryor Sr. and second year wideout Josh Doctson. I liked Doctson a lot at TCU and it could work, but quarterback Kirk Cousins will have a lot on his shoulders early.
Of all the bets you could make this off-season, a regression for Cousins is probably the safest to make. Cousins is once again betting on himself, but he’s doing it with fewer offensive weapons and an new offensive coordinator, Matt Cavanaugh. Washington still has a solid offensive line and they’re three deep at running back with Rob Kelly, Chris Thompson and the guy I think will eventually take over the starting job, rookie Samaje Perine.
The defense was one of the worst in the league in allowing yardage last season, ranked No. 28, but they were OK in points allowed, finishing ranked 19th. They’ve brought in defensive end Jonathan Allen from Alabama who just fell right into their lap in the draft and spent plenty of draft capital building depth.
The Pick
If I was going to throw some money on a game, I’d shy away from this one. Since my job is to pick these things, I can’t. Everyone is ready for Philadelphia to take a step forward this season and if that’s going to happen, they need to but the Redskins behind in the standings early. Eagles 24, Redskins 20
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