Chip Kelly began his NFL coaching career by defeating the division-rival Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. This afternoon, Kelly will once again try to lead his team to victory against the enemies from the south. This time, though, the circumstances, repercussions, and overall atmosphere of the contest are all on a whole new level.
To be fair, in the Week 1 routing of Washington, the Philadelphia Eagles had a lot of aspects going in their favor. For starters, Chip Kelly's offense was a complete mystery, so Mike Shanahan's crew had very little to prepare for. The 'Skins were also allowing Robert Griffin III to make his very first play of the year in the first regular season game. Because of this, Griffin was incredibly rusty, and it shown in the box score. Today, all bets are off. Kelly is 10 games into his career, and Griffin has improved vastly. So just what should we look for in this afternoon's matchup? Keep an eye out for these six key factors.
Alfred Morris vs. LeSean McCoy – Each of these running backs are among the best in the league, no matter the category. The two most notable statistics in the running game are led by either player. In terms of yards per carry, the Redskins' Alfred Morris is tops with a 5.2 average. However, with 932 yards, LeSean McCoy is the best overall rusher in the NFL. When numbers are that impressive, it's very difficult to determine who is truly the "better" performer. All we know is that each guy is fantastic with their particular set of skills, and for either of their teams to win today, they have to continue to play well, and if not, even better. Because these teams are evenly matched in a number of categories, it might just be a matter of which back walks away with the more impressive afternoon.
Which Pass Defense Prevails? – Without sugar coating it, the pass defense in this matchup is, for a lack of a better word, terrible. And, yes, the Eagles have vastly improved their defense since their game against the Denver Broncos. However, an overall league ranking of 31st is terrible, no matter the category. In terms of yards allowed per game, Philly sits just there, with only the Dallas Cowboys giving up more air time. One positive that can be focused on is the fact that the Redskins are performing poorly as well, ranking 26th. When the numbers are this inflated, it comes down to who will be the best of the worst. And, you can guarantee that both RGIII and Nick Foles are eager to start the game.
Pressure the Ball Carrier – Up through this point in the season, the Eagles are dead last in forced fumbles. Sitting at a mere 5, the team is not very good at attacking the opponent with the ball. Turnovers are a big part in determining a team's success, and can make or break a playoff contender. In a matchup with a division rival that could easily get on a streak and run away with a title, it is vital that the team is near perfect in all facets of the game. Because the Redskins have several players who can run the ball incredibly well, the Eagles must not only focus on slowing down the yardage numbers, but knocking the ball loose and getting the offense as many snaps as possible.
Don't Leave the Middle Open – Everyone that has watched the Redskins play since RGIII and Alfred Morris joined the team is aware of how valuable their running game is. They use this to their advantage in a few ways, one of which is to use the pass heavily in situations where the opposing team assumes they'll run the ball. You have to remember that, even though Griffin is more prone to either hand the ball over or take off himself, he will still toss it up. Very efficiently. At just over a 60% completion rate, Griffin is still finding his receivers when the defense over commits to the run and leaves the field wide open. He is on pace to complete more passes than he did in his rookie campaign, something the Eagles must be aware of.
Play Off Nick Foles' Growing Confidence – With 10 total touchdowns and a record-setting performance in his last two starts, Eagles' second year quarterback Nick Foles is on a bit of a hot streak. Undoubtedly, Foles must feel a sense of confidence following these games and with getting snaps on a more consistent basis. It would be in Chip Kelly's best interest to play off of Foles newfound confidence and allow him to play his game. When a quarterback is at the peak of self-assurance, their plays are much cleaner, often resulting in a much better-played contest. If Kelly can build his offensive scheme around what continues to make Foles comfortable, he'llget the absolute most out of his starter under center.
End the Home Losing Streak - When you can't secure a home victory in over a full calendar year, fans are going to get upset. And, when those fans spend a good amount of their money to come watch a team play football for 3+ hours and can't walk away happy, they're going to boo. For that reason, the players on the Eagles that are upset with the fan reaction must keep their mouths shut and just play the game. It is incredibly frustrating to be constantly reminded of a 10-game losing skid, no matter the venue or associated disappointment. It can all be forgotten, though, if the Eagles go out and use the added pressure to take home a crucial victory.
My Prediction: Nick Foles continues his noteworthy play; Eagles win 28-24
