The Philadelphia Eagles face the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football in a divisional matchup many expected to be a primetime flex to an earlier game because of both teams' struggles.
It is only week eight, yet the Eagles and Commanders are watching their season fade away. This is a critical stretch for both franchises to determine the direction they are moving forward in and who is a part of that future.
Divisional games can take on a life of their own, regardless of the records involved. With familiarity between the teams, the margin for error is small, and the ability to make adjustments throughout the game could ultimately determine the outcome.
Who: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders
When: Sunday November 1st, 8:20PM EST
Where: Northwest Stadium, Washington
How: NBC
This has become a broken record, but it also is the engine that moves the offense.
Philadelphia’s offensive line played much better against Dallas, and they will look to build on that success on Sunday, controlling the line of scrimmage so the run game can establis and the offense can operate by staying ahead of the sticks and avoiding predictable passing downs.
The Eagles played much more disciplined football, eliminating the penalties and many of the negative plays that have hindered them all season long. If the line can win the battle up front, it lets the coaching staff respond with a balanced, unpredictable approach and establish an offensive identity it desperately needs to compete in the final 10 weeks.
Despite the injuries, the Eagles need to create favorable matchups for their personnel to make plays through the air and on the ground. The offense has lacked identity and efficiency all season. It is the coaches' job to get the playmakers that remain on this team in position to succeed.
First and foremost, they need to establish a running game. If Saquon Barkley is out, they cannot just abandon it. They must move forward with who they have and use the ground game to slow Washington’s defense from solely focusing on a pass rush.
In the passing game, quick throws that give receivers chances to gain yards after the catch will reduce difficult downfield attempts that have had such a low completion percentage. Taking what the defense gives you, making the proper read, sustaining drives, and using the talent they still have, despite all their injuries, will be their biggest challenge. They have struggled to remain consistent all season, and they need more methodical drives that end with points on the board.
The Eagles have an aversion to risk and have long focused on protecting the football; this has worked at times, but it has also limited their chances to control games. They need to be aggressive and calculated, and give themselves a chance to win instead of playing scared of losing.
Philadelphia’s defensive front needs to start playing like the guys who were paid to be cornerstones of the franchise, set the tone, and prevent Washington from finding an offensive rhythm.
Fangio may have to dial up a blitz or two to generate pressure, something he has been reluctant to do, but also something that might be necessary to help them create chaos on the backfield.
The lack of a pass-rush has put pressure on the linebackers and defensive backs, causing communication breakdowns and leaving them vulnerable to chunk plays. The unit also needs to tackle well. They are struggling to get opposing players down and rarely limit yards after the catch. What could be short gains are turning into first downs and keeping the defense on the field. The defense needs to make Washington earn every yard.
Third-down defense will also be critical, and for a defense that is starting to look gassed, getting off the field gives it some rest and gives the offense more chances to establish a rhythm.
The Eagles’ coaching staff and their ability to make adjustments are the biggest factors entering this game. On both sides of the ball.
Offensively, the coaching staff needs a clear plan for attacking Washington's defense and must be willing to adjust when preferred options are taken away.
Defensively, they need their playmakers to make plays. Quinyon Mitchell has been their best player all season, yet they still roll coverage to help him and leave Cooper DeJean one-on-one at times. DeJean has struggled and could use the assist while fighting through an early-season injury and learning new positional assignments. He could use a big game to build confidence and reset the season.
Sunday night presents another opportunity to show progress. Whether the Eagles can take advantage of it will depend on the coaching staff’s ability to identify weaknesses and put its players in positions to succeed.
Offensive execution: Philadelphia needs to find a way to sustain drives and finish possessions with points. A commitment to the running game, quick throws, and creative play-calling should help the Eagles avoid predictable situations and use their available weapons better.
Pressure on Jayden Daniels. The Eagles’ defensive front needs to disrupt Washington’s quarterback without allowing him to escape the pocket and create explosive plays with his legs. He extended a lot of plays in week one against Philly, and forcing him to be uncomfortable while maintaining disciplined coverage will be essential to limiting the Commanders’ offense.
Turnovers. The Eagles defense has struggled all season to create turnovers, and in a divisional game between two teams searching for consistency, a turnover could swing momentum and determine the outcome.
The Eagles' inability to create good field position has hindered this team all season. They begin most drives needing 75 or more yards to get into the endzone. One would not think return yards would be such a big factor, but the Eagles are dead last in the NFL, averaging only 20.1 yards per return, a full three yards behind the second-worst team.
Better field position would let the offense start drives with a different part of the playbook and give them a shorter field to produce points. This team needs every advantage it can manufacture.
Eagles 24, Commanders 20
I expect a competitive divisional matchup that comes down to late-game execution. Eagles fans watched the Cowboys execute perfectly late in the game and take an overwhelming lead, while Philadelphia struggled and put up only seven points in the second half. The Birds need to play four quarters of competitive football.
Neither team is going to suddenly become an offensive juggernaut, but whoever plays complementary football, limits turnovers, and capitalizes on the other team’s mistakes will leave the field with a much-needed victory.
Philadelphia was embarrassed after its loss to Dallas, and maybe that is what the team needed to regain its fight. It is hard for me to imagine the team folding and giving up, despite their record and struggles. They are facing a one-win team, and after enduring a five-game losing streak, they need a win in the biggest way. I think they get it Sunday Night.
Will Saquon Barkley play on Sunday? The Eagles RB reportedly tweaked his hamstring early on against Dallas and later hurt his back. His status is unknown at this point, but the Eagles will likely verge on the side of caution.
Is Commanders vs. Eagles a primetime matchup? Despite earlier rumors of the game being flexed out of that Sunday Night Football spot, the two teams will lock horns in SNF this weekend.
What's the latest on Jalen Hurts? The Eagles QB is undergoing treatment for blood clots on his lungs and will be unable to take part in football activities until the treatment is complete.
MORE: The Eagles' biggest offensive problem has nothing to do with injury woes
