Bob Cooney’s Predictions For The Eagles-Commanders Game
So far in this early season, the Eagles have impressed me in many ways, but none more than the fact that they had two completely different offensive game plans in the victories over the Detroit Lions opening week and over the Minnesota Vikings this past Monday night.
Against the Lions, coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen decided on an offense that primarily consisted of run/pass option. It was good enough for 31 offensive points in a 38-35 win. Monday, against a pretty soft Minnesota zone defense, the Eagles concentrated on finding wide receivers open against that zone and quarterback Jalen Hurts did just that, to the tune of 26-for-31 for 333 yards and a touchdown.
So what’s the plan for this weekend? Perhaps we’ll see again one of the two-game plans that were put out there against the previous opponents this season, and perhaps that will work. I say go yet another way.
While the Eagles haven’t shied away from running the ball (26 running back carries against Detroit and 22 against the Vikings) I would expect an even bigger reliance on the run game this weekend. I believe this will be a game where the Eagles use the run to set up the pass. I think Miles Sanders should get close to a 20-carry load, which I believe will lead to an over 100-yard game for him. And when he needs a breather, I have no problem feeding Kenny Gainwell and Boston Scott.
Jalen Hurts’ accuracy and, yes, arm strength were eye-popping on Monday night. Getting away from that isn’t what I’m thinking Sirianni will do. Hurts will still have his 30 throws, and look good again against a porous Washington defense.
I see an Eagles win that gets a little tight at times but finishes at 30-20