Redskins vs. Eagles: What Experts Are Saying About Washington
Division rivalries often come with their own far-reaching storylines. This week, when the Washington Redskins travel to the unfriendly confines of Lincoln Financial field to face the Philadelphia Eagles, there will be several developing stories to keep an eye on.
Whoever comes out on top will sit atop the NFC East with a 2-1 record by virtue of having the division win.
Beyond early standings, the Redskins have a lot on their plate heading into their first divisional game of the season.
Kirk Cousins is getting his first start of the season in place of the injured Robert Griffin III. DeSean Jackson is nursing a shoulder injury for his first game against his former team, and the Redskins defense has to battle the stigma of dominating an inferior team last week.
Here's what is being said around the league about the Redskins as they prepare for the Eagles.
Phil Sheridan: Redskins Defense Better Than Advertised
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In a back-and-forth with fellow ESPN.com reporter John Keim, Eagles correspondent Phil Sheridan questioned the validity of the Redskins' top-ranking defense.
"I know it’s early, but do you see Washington’s defense really dominating other teams this season, or is this a product of playing Houston and Jacksonville?"
Let's disregard the 10-sack performance for a moment. Statistically speaking, Washington's defense is tied for second in passing yards allowed and fourth in rushing yards allowed.
That earns the Redskins the top position overall, but it doesn't tell the whole story.
Thus far, the defense has allowed just two touchdowns, both of which fall on the shoulders of the since released safety Bacarri Rambo. He gave up a 63-yard touchdown to Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis and a 76-yard touchdown to Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Two plays are responsible for both touchdowns the defense has allowed and 139 passing yards. Erase those two boneheaded plays by Rambo, and the Redskins defense is allowing just 190 total passing yards and zero touchdowns—making a questionably respectable defense look downright dominant.
The Redskins will be tested against the high-octane Eagles offense, but make no mistake: They aren't the paper champions they're being made out to be.
John Keim: Sproles, Eagles' Screen Game a Point of Emphasis for 'Skins D
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Philadelphia's offense is scary enough with LeSean McCoy, Jeremy Maclin and an array of playmakers all over the field, but the most dangerous weapon will be the speedy Darren Sproles, as John Keim highlights: "The screens are even more dangerous this season thanks to Sproles."
The Redskins defense has already faced a team that likes to utilize screens in the Houston Texans, but the Texans didn't have an electric player like Sproles on the receiving end.
Sproles has amassed 263 yards and two touchdowns on 26 offensive touches this season, including a 51-yard screen pass against the Indianapolis Colts last week.
For the Redskins defense to resume its dominance, it will rely on the front seven to be on the lookout for screens, keying on Sproles.
Inside linebacker Keenan Robinson is much better in coverage than London Fletcher was last season, which gives Washington an advantage in the middle. He already blew up a screen pass against Jacksonville.
Defensive lineman Jason Hatcher has the veteran savvy to identify screen plays, as well as the strength to disrupt any blockers who are trying to set one up.
If Robinson in particular can keep Sproles from making an impact in the screen game, the defense will have a much easier time because the Redskins would no longer have to concern themselves with containing two running backs who can hurt them from multiple positions on the field.
But like many things, "if" is a dangerous word.
David Steele: DeSean Jackson Returns to Philly, Makes No Impact
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Sporting News' David Steele keys on DeSean Jackson's first trip back to Philadelphia in his game preview, but given Jackson's injury, he doesn't feel the homecoming will amount to much for the Redskins.
"DeSean Jackson returns to his original NFL home, probably not at full health after last week’s shoulder injury. Washington, and new quarterback Kirk Cousins, needs all the help it can get."
While Steele isn't wrong about Jackson's status, he seems to be ignoring the rest of the Redskins offense while also downplaying Cousins' ability to play the quarterback position.
The Redskins still have Alfred Morris, who is currently third in the NFL with 176 rushing yards, Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts, Darrel Young and Niles Paul on offense, not to mention their defensive dominance thus far.
Cousins may only be heading for his fifth career start, but he has shown a comfort in Jay Gruden's offense that you cannot chalk up to beginner's luck.
He knows where his receivers are, scans the field well and is capable of making throws on the run, even if he lacks the electric athleticism of Robert Griffin III.
Counting Cousins out because he has very little documented experience and Jackson will be hurt is a mistake.
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John Beech: Cousins a Great Fit in Gruden's Offense
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In one of the rare instances of an analyst picking the Redskins to win, CBS Sports' John Beech emphasizes Cousins' comfort in Gruden's offense as the key to the game.
"Also, as a bonus, you get to see Kirk Cousins make his fifth career start. If you watched Andy Dalton play in Cincinnati, then you know what Jay Gruden can do with a pocket passer."
Andy Dalton threw 80 touchdowns in three seasons running Gruden's offense in Cincinnati. The knock on Dalton coming out of TCU was that he played in a spread offense and would take time to learn the intricacies of an NFL offense.
Cousins came out of Michigan State, which ran a pro-style offense; that puts him ahead of Dalton in terms of learning, grasping and executing an NFL scheme.
That isn't to say that the process will be instantaneous, but Cousins has a leg up on Dalton from a development standpoint. Gruden's offense was made for a player like Cousins to step in, manage the game, pick his spots and make the right throws as opposed to trying to light it up with every throw.
Cousins doesn't have the pressure to prove he can be a pocket passer or a pro-style quarterback. He already is.
The Eagles may not have to concern themselves with Griffin's electric speed out of the pocket, but their defense has looked suspect in giving up five passing touchdowns this season.
Jason La Canfora: Defense Could Feast on Philly's Beat-Up Line
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The Redskins racked up 10 sacks against the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, who have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora questions whether the performance is bloated because it was Jacksonville or the stacked pass rush.
"Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo have been feast or famine in the past—getting some sustained push from them could alter the landscape of this game."
Kerrigan amassed four sacks against the Jaguars last week, while Orakpo chipped in half a sack on the day. Jason Hatcher was responsible for 2.5 sacks, and the duo of Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley contributed another two sacks combined.
While La Canfora isn't wrong about Kerrigan and Orakpo being somewhat feast or famine in their careers, there is pressure coming from all over for the Redskins, particularly their front seven.
Kerrigan may not turn in another four-sack performance against the Eagles, but he does have a favorable matchup against Andrew Gardner, who will be starting just his second game at right tackle.
Philly's offense isn't built to have Nick Foles sitting in the pocket, so it isn't as though Kerrigan will have a field day the way he did against Jacksonville. But he should be in position to spy on the screen game, and he has two defensive touchdowns to his credit.
Orakpo has not had his big game yet, but perhaps Kerrigan's explosion last week will open up opportunities against Philadelphia.
Mike Jones: Redskins Have Tough Questions to Answer
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Mike Jones of The Washington Post fields five questions facing the Redskins this week but misses the point a bit in discussing Jordan Reed's availability.
"Cousins can use all the help he can get, and an explosive, versatile pass-catching threat like second-year tight end Jordan Reed would certainly come in handy."
While, yes, a healthy Reed would do wonders for Cousins and the offense, it isn't as though the Redskins are devoid of talent at the position. Tight end Niles Paul currently leads the team in receptions and receiving yards and tied for seventh in the NFL for receptions of 20-plus yards with the likes of Antonio Gates, Jordy Nelson and Andre Johnson.
Reed's rookie season was marred by injuries, though he still finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards. Thus far, he has just one catch and has spent more time nursing a hamstring injury than playing.
Aside from his costly fumble against Houston, Paul is still a matchup nightmare for most teams.
He's a converted wide receiver, which means he lacks prototypical tight end size at 6'1", 241 pounds. He makes up for it by being faster than most tight ends. So he will either torch the linebacker assigned to cover him or demand a defensive back in coverage, opening up someone else to make a play.
Pete Prisco: Kirk Cousins Is RGIII's Backup for a Reason
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The ever inflammatory Pete Prisco at CBS Sports doesn't think Kirk Cousins is capable of leading the Redskins offense against Philadelphia.
"I think when you look at a backup quarterback, there's a reason he's a backup quarterback. Kirk Cousins isn't the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins, nor should he be."
Yes, there is probably a bit too much hype for Cousins as the savior for the Redskins at quarterback—or the rightful starting quarterback for the overrated RGIII, as some might say.
But to say he's a backup for a reason and then not present the reason is short-sighted at best.
Cousins is a backup not because he lacks talent or the ability to play the position, but because he was drafted as insurance for Griffin, who was the immediate future and face of the franchise at quarterback.
No, Cousins isn't the electric athlete and doesn't have the rocket arm or the name recognition, but he can win games. He can run Gruden's offense. He has enough talent around him to succeed and potentially pick apart a suspect secondary like the Eagles have.
More importantly, Alfred Morris is still in the backfield, and despite averaging just 18 carries per game when he should have 20-25, he's third in the NFL in rushing yards with 4.9 yards per carry.
Cousins may see the spotlight against the Eagles, but Morris should be the real concern for the Eagles.
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