9-0? — Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles Week 10 Preview
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
The undefeated Philadelphia Eagles welcome their division rival Washington Commanders to Lincoln Financial Field tonight on Monday Night Football.
This is the second meeting of the season between the two teams with the Eagles taking the first matchup 24-8. Last week against the Texans the Eagles became the first team in franchise history to go 8-0. Can they go to 9-0 tonight?
Different QB
The Commanders will have a different Quarterback than the last time they played the Eagles. Commanders starting Quarterback Carson Wentz is on injured reserve with a broken finger. Wentz was having a rough start to the season and struggled mightily in the two teams’ first matchup of the season. So far his backup Taylor Heinicke is 2-1 since taking over. Heinicke has seen playing time for Washington over the last three seasons but has failed to secure the starting job. He is averaging about 210 passing yards a game and one interception over his three starts this season. The interception is a spot where the Eagles should be able to take advantage of tonight, as they have 12 through their first eight games.
In the last matchup, the Eagles’ defensive line was able to get 9 sacks against Quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz tends to hold the ball a little long in the pocket and take sacks, but the Eagles’ line was also getting into the backfield extremely fast. While expecting them to register 9 sacks again is asking too much, it shouldn’t be asking too much for them to have a dominating day. The Eagles have only played 2 games in the last 28 days so their defensive line should be extremely well rested, and look for them to have another big day.
Birthday boy
Happy birthday to Devonta!
The Eagles young stud receiver turns 24 today and hopefully he can celebrate his birthday with a win. In the first matchup with the Commanders Smith had 8 catches for 169 yards and a touchdown. The Washington defense struggles defending the long ball and thats what Smith was able to take advantage of in the last matchup. With the way AJ Brown has been playing the last few weeks its safe to assume that the Commanders will tailor their defense to try and make sure Brown does not beat them. Thats where Devonta comes in.
Another receiver that could have a impact is Quez Watkins. Quez has struggled to get involved in the offense but this may be the week that he catches a deep ball for a touchdown.
Eagles Run Defense
While the Commanders will have a new Quarterback this week, they will also have a new Running Back.
In the first matchup rookie Brian Robinson was on injured reserve after being shot in a carjacking. Robinson is now healthy and joins Antonio Gibson in a talented Running Back room. If there is one weakness with the Eagles so far this season it has been the run defense. Last week against the Texans Damien Pierce rushed for 139 yards. With Jordan Davis still out with a ankle injury, the Eagles will need their other big boys up front to not let these backs into the secondary.
