Foles-ing?
Where to Watch:
- TV: FOX
- Radio: 94.1 WIP
- Sirius: 125
Injury Report (courtesy of NFL.com):
Preview:
For the second week in a row, the Eagles (3-6) will be facing a team with an identical record. Washington (3-6), led by rookie quarterback sensation Robert Griffin III, is coming off a bye week. The Eagles are coming off a brutal loss to the Cowboys. But none of that really matters. Neither team is making the playoffs. It's just a fact. No, neither is mathematically eliminated. But in all reality, there is no shot. This could, however, be a matchup of future NFC East quarterbacks.
After Week 10 saw four quarterbacks go down with concussions and other injuries, Mike Vick will be on the sidelines for Sunday's matchup. That can only mean one thing. Drum roll, please……..
NICK FOLES IS STARTING.
That's right. After months of agony and begging for a change in starting quarterback, the Eagles will now be lead by #9. It comes under unfortunate circumstances, but it is a change nonetheless.
While both men are considered rookies, this is not a rookie vs. rookie matchup. RG3, along with the likes of Andrew Luck, Ryan Tannehill, and Russell Wilson, have had plenty of grooming. Foles has not. We've seen what Griffin can do, and his team's 3-6 record does not reflect on his performance this season. Foles has played a bit more than half a game. He hasn't had the same amount of reps in practice as a starter would. In most cases, there are some growing pains when throwing a rookie QB into a starting role. This situation should be no different. While Mike Vick is a shadow of his former self, his ability was somewhat diminished by the talent he had around him. Or in front of him. Now, Nick Foles is being forced into the same uncomfortable position. It won't be very easy.
Beside starting QB, the Redskins have one more distinct advantage over Philly: the running game. It sounds crazy when you have a running back with the ability that McCoy has. But when a coach does not go to the running play as often as they should, this is what normally occurs. Head coach Mike Shanahan has been well known for having an always rotating backfield. However, he has put Alfred Morris in for a majority of the run plays, and it has worked quite well when coupled with the run threat you have with RG3. Look for this trend to continue in Sunday's game.
While this game is relatively meaningless, it will be fun to watch the future of the division face off. Assuming Foles will be the player he is expected to be, both men should be planted on the East Coast for quite some time.
Eagledelphia Staff Predictions:
Christine Schramm
Eagles 7, Redskins 21
Do we even have a third string QB? Is Wilson Valdez available? Foles is going to get killed.
Shane Hussey
Eagles 14, Redskins 21
Hate to say it, but our offensive line blocks like a freshmen football team. Foles will be lucky to make it out alive.
Kevin Durso
Eagles 10, Redskins 21
A quarterback change, especially to a rookie, means very little. The rookie QB to watch is RG3, plain and simple. He hardly plays like a rookie and he'll make the Eagles D look like one of the college defenses he rolled past on his way to the Heisman last year.
Andrew Gillen
Eagles 13, Redskins 27
Last week, I tried to give the Eagles the win. I tried to give them some credit. I just can't this Sunday. Foles will have a lot to handle, but will have a TD pass. In the end, RG3 and Morris will stomp all over the Eagles' run D, and will put the final dagger in Philly's season.
Follow Andrew Gillen on Twitter @BIG_G_48
