The Eagles Best Showing Is Still To Come
This is a fantastic spot to be in if you are the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles. Our own Ricky Bottalico made a very interesting observation on Tuesday afternoon’s Best Show Ever. He asked whether this year’s version of the Eagles could just be the opposite of the 2023 scenario that played out.
Last year the team was 8-1 at this same point but the talk was dominated by how much they were not playing up to standard and just surviving. We all know after the 10-1 start that the collapse was easier to see coming in retrospect.
This year’s 7-2 start is impressive in the turnaround after the bye week. The 2-2 start was clumsy and seemed to perpetuate doubts. The 5 game winning streak has seen Jalen Hurts emerge again as a top QB performer and their young defense is making waves. They are on a roll but have they played their best yet? I don’t think they have. I’m going to go out on a limb and tell you that you are going to see them do that in tonight’s matchup!
The Eagles offense is going to storm out tonight
I love this matchup. I love the Eagles’ wide receivers up against the Washington cornerbacks. The vertical passing game is always something that the Eagles prefer, but tonight’s game is one where it should be the primary push.
I’m not advocating for the Birds to put Saquon Barkley on the shelf but there should be plenty of big plays to be made. Yards after catch should also be available. The Commanders don’t tackle exceptionally well and they will be without their new acquisition Marshawn Lattimore. An aggressive attack should be the word of the day.
Washington loves to shorten up the game under Dan Quinn
Maximizing the potential of every possession is vitally important. Dan Quinn knows that his young team has not been in a game of this magnitude. I observed him in situations like this during his time in Atlanta. He understands how difficult it is to come away with a victory in Philadelphia.
In his career he is 0-3 in Philadelphia but every one of those contests has been a tight contest. Most won’t forget those battles in the 2017 Divisional Playoff Game and then the home opener the next season. Those games both ended with Quinn’s team knocking on the door in the red zone with a chance to win the game.
Quinn likes to coach his team into a 4th quarter scenario where they can grab a win when an underdog. An early lead would help to negate that game plan.
The Eagles defense is up to the challenge
Jayden Daniels has been a rising star from his first game this September. He plays within himself and is not making many risky throws. Brian Robinson Jr. is expected to return at running back so the Commanders may be more likely to lean on him to run clock and move the chains.
Remember that even if the head coach is different I’m sure that Quinn understands that the last few seasons Washington managed to play the Eagles toe to toe till the finish in three of the four matchups. The Eagles linebackers will need to do well in pass coverage underneath and Terry McLaurin will challenge the Eagles corners. This will be the first epic challenge for Quinyon Mitchell within the division in a big game. If he plays well I don’t see a path to victory for the Commanders.
My Call
The Birds have played in many big games over the last three seasons. Washington doesn’t have this type of experience. The Birds have been waiting to have everything click in a performance and tonight will be that night. The Eagles defense will frustrate the Commanders young QB and create a few more turnovers.
The offense will be the star of the show as they will put points up early and often. By Friday morning it will be hard for even their most vocal critics to doubt the Eagles have the pedigree of a team that could play a second game in New Orleans this season.
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