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5 Eagles Players Who Could Have Big Days Against The Commanders

After a fairly embarrassing loss in week 6, the Eagles got back on track in week 7 vs the Dolphins. Not only did they beat a team many had as…

Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) reacts to his sack during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field.

Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) reacts to his sack during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field.

Photo By: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

After a fairly embarrassing loss in week 6, the Eagles got back on track in week 7 vs the Dolphins. Not only did they beat a team many had as one of the best in the league, but they kind of dominated them. The Dolphins went into that game averaging 100 yards more per game than the next team, which happened to be the Eagles. On Sunday night they managed just 255 total yards. They led the league in scoring but scored just 10 on offense against the Eagles.

And now the Eagles go into week 8 with a completely different outlook. The defense that concerned so many looks like the best part of the team. And adding Kevin Byard to the mix should only help that. The offense still has some things to work out. But even through their "struggles" they are 3rd in yards per game and 4th in points per game. After the 49ers dropped two straight games, the Eagles find themselves alone in the driver's seat of the NFC for the first time all season.

So can they keep that rolling? They will have to go through a team that gave them a lot of trouble to do it. For the second time this season, they take on the Commanders, this time down in Washington in what they claim is a Football stadium.

Despite the Commanders' struggles this season, they came very close to upsetting the Eagles back in week 4. They led for much of the game. And then when the Eagles took the lead late, they put together an incredibly impressive drive late to score a TD and force OT. The Eagles eventually won on a Jake Elliott game-winning FG. But it was way closer than anyone in Philadelphia was comfortable with.

They get a chance at redemption today though. They go into the game as 7-point road favorites, which tells you Vegas thinks it will be a blowout. That said people said similar things ahead of the last game. Will the Commanders get up to play the Eagles again? Let's look at some players who will be key to preventing another close game.

Here are 5 Eagles Players Who Could Have Big Days Against The Commanders:

AJ Brown

In week 4, Brown put up 175 yards and 2 TDs on this Commanders team. Is there any reason to think things go differently this time? Maybe they put Kyle Fuller on him more. But having one corner shadow one WR the whole game is easier said than done. At some point, Emmanuel Forbes or Benjamin St Juste will draw Brown, and we have seen how that story ends. Brown has a chance to be the first WR in the Super Bowl era to have 6 straight 125-yard games. And given how his first game vs this team went, it is easy to see him accomplishing it.

Haason Reddick

The Commanders have struggled to prevent sacks all season long. Some of that is the O-Line, but a lot of it is also on Sam Howell for holding onto the ball too much. Whatever you want to blame though, opposing D-Lines have feasted against Washington. Reddick got his first sack against them this season in week 4, and since then he has been racking sacks left and right. Given the run he is on, and how much the Commanders struggle to contain edge rushers, the smart bet is that Reddick will continue to add to his Sack total.

Josh Sweat

Everything I just said, also applies to Sweat. The only difference is that Sweat has been doing it all season long. Sweat has turned into the 1B to Reddick’s 1A. He is on pace for his 2nd straight double-digit sack season. He is 5th in the NFL with 14 QB Hits this season. Sweat has a very good chance to add to that number this week with how bad Howell is at evading pressure.

Jalen Carter

There is no reason that only the edge rushers should eat against the Commanders. The Eagles' interior pass rushers have also been getting after the QB. Carter is getting after the QB better than any DT. Not just better than any rookie DT, but better than any DT period. His pass rush win rate is 1st among all DTs, despite being double-teamed 60% of the time. Carter is a beast, and Eagles fans should be thankful every day the Falcons drafted an RB over him.

Devonta Smith

Smith has had a quiet season to this point. But with all the spotlight on Brown for his 125-yard streak, there is a chance the Commanders over-focus on containing him, and Smith breaks one. Especially if they have Fuller on Brown as much as possible. As we mentioned back in week 4, Smith and Forbes have a history dating back to Smith's time at Alabama. One that does not favor Forbes. And Smith has done well against St Juste in the past too. Maybe this is finally the week where both Brown and Smith have big games.

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Tyrone Johnson is the host of “The Best Show Ever” on 97.5 The Fanatic. He has been with the station for the past 8 years. Before working at the Fanatic, Tyrone produced political radio, did financial reports, and was assistant chief engineer of another radio station. As a content creator for 97.5 The Fanatic, Tyrone writes articles on the Sixers, Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers.