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Game Preview – WAS at PHI - Tommy Lawlor, Iggles Blitz
Sunday is one of those games that doesn’t have a distinct feel to it. The Eagles are the better team, but not to the extent that they can walk on the field and just know they are going to win. As a reader pointed out yesterday, strange things seem to happen when the Eagles play the Skins. You can go back to the old days with the Body Bag Game or the crazy comeback in 1989. In 2010 there was the Starship 7 game. Kurt Coleman once had 3 INTs in a game vs the Skins. Last year Shady got knocked out of the game on a meaningless carry late in the game. Heck, just think about how wild the season opener was back in September. Always a crazy series.
It Feels Good To Believe - Tommy Lawlor, Iggles Blitz
The Eagles are 5-5 heading into Sunday. We don’t know if the team will finish 9-7, 8-8 or 7-9. This team has the talent to make a serious run down the stretch, but also has enough holes to have some bad losses. No matter how this season turns out…I believe. I believe in Chip Kelly.
The Eagles need to improve the outside pass rush - Jeff McLane, Inquirer
Now that Nick Foles has quelled the outcry for a franchise quarterback - OK, not exactly - the look-ahead crowd has set its sights on the Eagles' next biggest need: An outside pass rusher. But is it as simple as looking at the total number of sacks generated by outside linebackers this season (five) and coming to the conclusion that the Eagles need to add a pass rusher either via the draft or free agency? Or is the argument more nuanced?
Domo's Eagles Scouting Report - Daily News
The Redskins had no answers for LeSean McCoy and the Eagles’ running game in the first meeting. McCoy rushed for 184 yards on 31 carries. He had 10 rushing first downs and five double-digit-yard runs, including a 34-yard touchdown. Washington played mostly nickel (five defensive backs), which the Eagles were able to exploit. McCoy leads the NFL in rushing with 932 yards, but went through a five-game stretch when he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry before rushing for 155 yards last week against the Packers, who were ranked fifth in the league against the run.
Roob's 25 random points: Kotite, Curry and Yes - Reuben Frank, CSN Philly
The Eagles’ 10-game home losing streak is one of the more baffling things in recent Eagles history. If they’re good enough to go 5-1 on the road -- including wins in Oakland and Green Bay, two very tough places to play -- they’ve got to be good enough to win at least one game at the Linc. Right? Going into Sunday’s game against the Redskins, the Eagles’ streak is tied for 10th-longest in NFL history. An 11th consecutive home loss would mean the Eagles would be tied for seventh-longest home losing streak ever. The top six: The 2008-10 Rams (14 in a row), the 1988-89 Cowboys (14), the 1995-97 Jets (13), 1976-77 expansion Buccaneers (13), 1942 through 1946 Chicago Cards (13) and 1972-73 Oilers (13).
5 Keys to Victory Redskins vs. Eagles - Mike Harar, Hogs Haven
Don't let McCoy get to the second level - In their awful loss to the Vikings last week, the Redskins did a fairly solid job of not letting Adrian Peterson run wild, as he only finished with 75 rushing yards and a 3.8 yards per rush average (granted, he had two touchdowns, as well). McCoy is also an elite back, and it will be crucial for Washington to keep him from busting out long runs. This is no small task, but it will be important to make sure the front line of the Redskins' defense is wrapping up when they tackle, staying in their gaps and not over-pursuing. As is the case with several other players on the Eagles' offense, McCoy's speed is deadly, and he can take one to the house in a hurry. He is also a threat in the passing game, as he has 30 receptions this year and is fourth in the league with 356 yards after the catch.
Eagles Need "A" Game For Victory - Dave Spadaro, PE.com
When these teams met in September, the Eagles opened with a hiccup -- a Michael Vick fumble that was recovered and returned for a Washington touchdown -- and then it was all Eagles for much of the next three quarters. It was an impressive display of speed and power and flat-out great play from the Eagles in every phase of the game. Washington was not prepared for the onslaught. This time, there will be no "surprise" factor. This game is all about playing straight-on football, and may the better team win.