Game Preview, Week 10: Washington at Philadelphia

November 12, 2022

by Steve Thomas

Washington is back in prime time again, this time on the venerable Monday Night Football.  Considering that Washington is playing in a time slot that has mostly confounded them for many years, and the opponent is the best team in the NFL, things aren’t exactly on an overly-positive path right now.  Nevertheless, Washington will soldier on and do their best, and you never know what may happen.  One thing’s for certain: after this game, we’re going to know whether Washington’s defense is the real thing.  They looked much better during Washington’s recently-ended three game winning streak, but those opponents weren’t exactly at the top of the NFL foodchain.  Can Washington win?  Probably not, but you never know.  Keep reading for this week’s game preview.

Game time & location:           Monday, November 14, 2022, 8:15 p.m. ET, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia,                                                                     PA; Gates open 5:45 p.m. ET (earlier access to premium seating and facilities); parking                                                           lots open 3:15 p.m.

Television:                                ESPN

Television announcers:          Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters

TV broadcast map:                 click here

 

DC-area radio:                        Big 100 (WBIG-FM)

Washington radio network: click here

Eagles radio network:           click here

Satellite radio:                       SiriusXM: 226 (Wash. broad.) / 88 (Nat’l broad.); internet: 831 (Wash. broad)

 

Washington roster:                 click here

Washington depth chart:      click here

Eagles roster:                          click here

Eagles depth chart:               click here

 

All-time head-to-head record vs Eagles: 87 – 82 – 6 (last 10: 2 – 8; streak: 0 – 2)

Last meeting: L, January 2, 2018, 16 – 20

Early odds: Eagles, -11

3 KEYS TO THE GAME

Slow down Miles Sanders

The Eagles are a serious running team, and Jalen Hurts or not, the guy leading that particular charge is Miles Sanders with 656 yards on 131 carries this year, for an average of 5.0 yards per carry and 6 touchdowns.  Washington will need to keep Sanders under control in order to limit the Eagles’ offensive success.  The rest of the Eagles’ rushers haven’t had that kind of success, or the carries.  Sanders is the key.

Contain Jalen Hurts

Hurts has improved as a passer, but at the end of the day what makes him special is his ability to move, both as a runner and as a passer.  In some ways, he’s a better version of Taylor Heinicke.  Washington historically has trouble with mobile quarterbacks, so it’s challenge, but they will need to limit Hurts’ effectiveness.  The best way to do that is to keep Hurts in the pocket.  That’s easier said than done, but Washington will need to make that happen in order to have a shot at winning this game.

Get Washington’s run game going

The Eagles’ defense is significantly less successful against opposing run defenses, surrendering 5.2 yards per carry.  They feature probably the most statistically-successful pass defense in the NFL, so it stands to reason that if there was ever a game for Washington’s mediocre to bad run game to rise up out of the doldrums, this is it.

3 KEY MATCHUPS

Benjamin St-Juste vs. A.J. Brown

St-Juste had his ups and downs last week against Justin Jefferson, but he’s up against another elite talent this week in A.J. Brown.  Washington needs St-Juste to hold Brown’s production to reasonable amount.  For his part, St-Juste is still trying to rise up to the level of a #1 corner.  He’ll need to be on his toes this week.

Terry McLaurin vs. Darius Slay

This is probably the most high-profile matchup on the field this week.  Slay has mostly gotten the better of McLaurin in their matchups, so it’s time for Terry to step up and have a productive game against his rival.  In fact, McLaurin needs to start proving that he’s at or near the top of the NFL and this is the game to start.

Chase Young vs. Jordan Mailata

Chase Young may play this week for the first time since his ACL tear.  As of publication, he hadn’t been officially activated, but he’s been practicing and all signs look positive.  If Young is out there on Monday, all eyes should be on his battle with Mailata to see whether Chase looks recovered or whether he needs more time.  Keep a close eye on this matchup, if it happens.

OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only) (starters in bold)

LP – limited practice                          FP – full practice                    DNP – did not practice

NIR – not injury related                      Q – questionable                     O – out

D – doubtful                                        NL – not listed

Washington	Eagles
LB C. Holcomb, foot; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; Sat: DNP; game: O	CB J. Jobe, hamstring; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; Sat: DNP; game: O
RB J.D. McKissic, neck; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; Sat: DNP; game: O	CB A. Maddox, hamstring; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; Sat: DNP; game: O
WR J. Dotson, hamstring; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP; Sat: FP	CB J. Bradberry, NIR (Rest); Thurs: LP; Fri: NL; Sat: NL
C T. Larsen, back; Thurs: back; Fri: DNP; Sat: LP; game; Q	WR A.J. Brown, NIR (Rest); Thurs: LP; Fri: NL; Sat: NL
LB D. Mayo, hamstring; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; Sat: DNP; game: O	DT F. Cox, NIR (Rest); Thurs: LP; Fri: NL; Sat: NL
G A. Norwell, groin; Thurs: NL; Fri: NL; Sat: DNP; game: Q	DE B. Graham, NIR (Rest); Thurs: LP; Fri: NL; Sat: NL
	T L. Johnson, NIR (Rest); Thurs: LP; Fri: NL; Sat: NL
	C J. Kelce, NIR (Rest); Thurs: L P; Fri: NL; Sat: NL
	DE R. Quinn, NIR (Rest); Thurs: LP; Fri: NL; Sat: NL
	CB J. Scott, ankle; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; Sat: FP
	G I. Seumalo, NIR (Rest); Thurs: LP; Fri: NL; Sat: NL
	CB D. Slay, NIR (Rest); Thurs: LP; Fri: NL; Sat: NL
	DE J. Sweat, NIR (Rest); Thurs: LP; Fri: NL; Sat: NL
	G L. Dickerson, NIR (Rest); Thurs: NL; Fri: LP; Sat: NL

 

STEVE’S PREDICTION

Eagles 30, Washington 10.  Sorry folks, but this one has all the indicators of a blowout.  The Eagles defense is weaker against the run and outstanding against the pass, and that’s the opposite of what Washington does well, even on their good days.  The Eagles are rolling, and get to face Washington in primetime at home on Monday night.  I’d be surprised if this matchup is competitive for long.