Category: Game Preview

NFC East News: Redskins to start 3 rookie WR’s vs. the Eagles

Redskins to start 3 rookie WR’s against the Eagles

The Washington Redskins are dealing with just as many injuries as the Philadelphia Eagles and both teams will look drastically different at wide receiver on Sunday.

Washington just finished their final practice in advance of Sunday’s huge matchup and according to Kyle Stackpole of the Redskins’ official website, the team will start three rookies at wide receiver against the Eagles secondary.

Terry McLaurin has been a starter from the beginning and the former Ohio State star has made a big splash with the Redskins.

McLaurin was selected with pick No. 76 out of Ohio State, and he’s racked up 46 catches for 703 yards and 6 touchdowns through Week 15.

In the season opener, McLaurin torched the Birds for 5 catches on 125 yards and a TD, including a 70-yard bomb. With Trey Quinn and Paul Richardson Jr. both out as well, Kelvin Harmon, a rookie wideout from North Carolina State will get the start.

Steven Sims Jr., a rookie wideout from Kansas will also get the start.

Last week, in a loss to the Green Bay Packers, rookie signal-caller, Dwayne Haskins, passed for 170 yards on 16-of-27 passing with a touchdown. McLaurin posted 57 yards on four catches with a touchdown.

Sims Jr. had four receptions for 40 yards, which is his career-high in yards, while the speedy Harmon hauled in a 30-yard reception and is averaging 14.8 yards per catch over the last four games (177 yards on 12 catches).

It should be a matchup that favors the Eagles veteran defense and secondary, but this season has been anything but easy or predictable.

Doug Pederson doesn’t sound optimistic about Jordan Howard, Nelson Agholor playing vs. Redskins

Jordan Howard, Nelson Agholor not expected to play vs. the Redskins

The Eagles practiced without Nelson Agholor, Lane Johnson and Derek Barnett again on Friday, and it’s unknown if any of the three will play on Sunday.

When specifically asked about his veteran wide receiver, Doug Pederson sounded pessimistic that he’d play against the Redskins per Zach Berman of The Athletic.
“We’re kind of getting down there to the end, obviously. …I think my hope is that they return, and return soon so that we can get them back. I lean more that way…than trying to free up a spot.”

Agholor, now the Eagles’ top receiver, was held out of practice for the third straight day this week and the team promoted practice squad wide receiver Robert Davis to the 53-man roster for added depth after Alshon Jeffery was placed on injured reserve.

Running Back Jordan Howard (shoulder), cornerback Jalen Mills (elbow) and linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (concussion) were all at practice.

Eagles Injury Report: Jordan Howard, Jalen Mills limited; Kamu Grugier-Hill full participant

Eagles Injury Report: Jordan Howard, Jalen Mills limited; Kamu Grugier-Hill full participant

The Philadelphia Eagles released their Thursday injury report, with Kamu Grugier-Hill getting a full practice without any concussion symptoms.

Jordan Howard and Jalen Mills were limited participants, while three other starters didn’t practice at all.

Nelson Agholor (knee), Derek Barnett (ankle), and Lane Johnson (ankle) were all non-participants.

Johnson is week to week with a high ankle sprain, while Agholor has missed the last two weeks.

With Agholor still uncertain, JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Greg Ward are the only healthy wide receivers on the roster, with Robert Davis getting promoted up from the practice squad.

Alshon Jeffery was placed on Injured Reserve on Thursday, officially ending his season.

Eagles’ DC Jim Schwartz has high-praise for Redskins rookie WR Terry McLaurin

Jim Schwartz has high-praise for Redskins rookie WR Terry McLaurin

When the Philadelphia Eagles visit the Washington Redskins on Sunday, they’ll have a closeup view of what could have been. During the 2019 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected JJ Arcega-Whiteside with the 57th pick in the 2nd round.

So far on the season, Arcega-Whiteside has 8 catches for 130 yards and one touchdown. He’s slow ascension isn’t bust worthy, but it’s concerning considering how the wide receivers drafted after him have performed this season.

Seattle took DK Metcalf with pick No. 64, and he’s accumulated 50 catches, 783 yards, and five touchdowns.

Pittsburgh took Toledo’s Diontae Johnson at No. 66 and he’s accumulated 42 catches for 483 yards and four touchdowns.

The player the Eagles will deal with in Week 15 has done the most damage thus far out of all the rookies. Terry McLaurin was selected with pick No. 76 out of Ohio State, and he’s racked up 46 catches for 703 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Against the Eagles in the season opener, McLaurin torched the Eagles for 5 catches on 125 yards and a TD, including a 70-yard bomb. With the Eagles having to win out, the focus of Philadelphia’s defense will, in fact, be the star wide receiver.

Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz addressed the media on Wednesday, and he spoke about what impresses him the most about McLaurin.

“He’s a guy that can make a big play … he’s proven that he’s a good player in this league.”

McLaurin leads the team in receptions, yards, and TD receptions and on Sunday it’ll be hard not to say what if and daydream about what could have been in regards to Wentz chucking bombs to the former Ohio State star.

Instead, it’ll be up to Jim Schwartz to put his cornerbacks in position to not be embarrassed by the youngster on Sunday.

Eagles open as 5.5-point road favorites over the Redskins

Eagles open as 5.5-point road favorites over the Redskins

The Philadelphia Eagles have struggled over the past month and for most NFL fans, there’s no way the Birds should be favored over any team at this point.

Even with the Eagles struggles, there are worst teams in the NFL and according to  to odds from BetMGMthe Eagles are opening as 5.5-point home favorites over the New York Giants.

Philadelphia is coming off an overtime victory over the 2-11 Giants to keep their season alive, and theyll have three more matchups with NFC East ramifications.

The Redskins are coming off a 20-15 loss to the Packers after winning back-to-back games with rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins starting to get a grasp of the NFL game.

A rookie out of Ohio State, Haskins has completed 55 percent of his passes for 971 yards and three touchdowns with seven interceptions in five starts this season. Adrian Peterson has rushed for 718 yards and three touchdowns, while stud rookie, Terry McLaurin has outshined JJ Arcega-Whitesite, hauling in 46 catches for 703 yards and six touchdowns.

The Eagles defeated the Redskins, 32-27, back in September in both teams season openers.

Eagles vs. Giants: Live blog and scoring drive updates

Eagles vs. Giants: Live blog and scoring drive updates

The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants are set to meet on Monday Night Football in what could be a momentum building matchup for the Birds as they play four straight NFC East games.

The Eagles are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Dolphins who were supposed to be focused on their 2020 NFL Draft preparation.

The Eagles can’t afford to take Eli Manning lightly and with the weather playing a part in tonight’s contest, follow along for scoring drives, updates, and analysis.

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Eagles will have opportunities for big plays in the passing game against Giants

Eagles could have success passing against New York Giants secondary

The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants will square off on ‘Monday Night Football’ at Lincoln Financial Field in a matchup that could put the Birds into a first-place tie with the Cowboys in the NFC East.

The Eagles need to win this ball game in dominant fashion, to help restore some confidence to a bruised locker room after the disaster in Miami.

Monday night presents an opportunity for the Eagles to take out some frustration in the passing game. Earlier in the week, the Giants ruled out cornerback Corey Ballentine and placed safety Jabrill Peppers on injured reserve.

The Giants rank just 30th in pass-defense DVOA according to Football Outsiders’. Rookie DeAndre Baker has struggled at times this season, and he’ll be manned up on the outside. Baker has 135.3 passer rating allowed on throws in his direction ranks 171st out of the 175 cornerbacks and safeties who have played at least 200 snaps in coverage this season, per Pro Football Focus.

Alshon Jeffery has had success against Janoris Jenkins, but he could be relegated to playing in the slot with the loss of Ballentine.

On the season, New York is allowing 8.5 yards per attempt, which is tied for last in the NFL entering the week, while Carson Wentz does his best work under the lights and on Monday Night Football. During his career, Wentz has a 3-1 record, 8 total touchdowns, with 7 coming through the air.

Wentz only has 3 interceptions on Monday night, while completing 66.42% of his completions (best of any day), with 1018 passing yards.

6 surprising stats for Eagles, Giants

6 surprising stats for Eagles, Giants

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The Philadelphia Eagles (5-7) host the New York Giants Dolphins (2-10) on Monday Night Football, in a game that will be played under nasty circumstances because of the weather.

The Giants come into the game riding a losing streak and playing Eli Manning at quarterback after Daniel Jones was ruled out with an ankle injury.

The game offers some interesting matchups, dynamics and surprising stats for both teams.

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1. Eagles sustaining drives in the second half

While there have been quite a few slow starts by the Eagles, they are one of the best in the NFL at staying on the field and avoiding three and outs during the second half of games.

Three and Out % 2nd Half this season
Rank Team Three and Out %
1st Houston Texans 10.3%
2nd Baltimore Ravens 12.9%
3rd Philadelphia Eagles 13.2%
4th New Orleans Saints 14.3%
5th San Francisco 49ers 15.1%
28th Buffalo Bills 28.6%
29th Los Angeles Rams 29.5%
30th Chicago Bears 29.9%
31st Denver Broncos 30.6%
32nd New York Jets 32.1%

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2. Broken Ties

The all-time series between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles are currently tied, 83-83-2

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3. Eagles are nearly unbeatable when getting teams off the field on third down

The Eagles are 16-1 (.941) when allowing less than 30% of third-down conversions opportunities since the start of the 2017 season — 3rd best in NFL; League Avg: .704 per Inside Edge.

Win Percentage 3rd Down Percent Allowed: Less than 30Percent since the start of 2017
Rank Team Win Percentage
1st Los Angeles Rams 1.000
1st Indianapolis Colts 1.000
3rd Philadelphia Eagles .941
4th New England Patriots .900
5th New Orleans Saints .889
26th Arizona Cardinals .455
29th New York Jets .400
29th Cincinnati Bengals .400
31st Detroit Lions .333
31st Oakland Raiders .333

4. Alshon Jeffery Fantasy implications for playoff participants

Anyone utilizing Jeffery in fantasy football should feel good about their playoff chances despite the rainy weather in Philadelphia. Jeffery has targeted often by Carson Wentz, while the Giants have been gashed by opposing WR1s in recent weeks, giving up huge games to Davante Adams, Allen Robinson, Jamison Crowder, Amari Cooper, and Kenny Golladay over their last five games.

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5. Zach Ertz set to make history

The Eagles star tight end is set to cement his status in team and NFL history on Monday night. Ertz is just 57 receiving yards shy of moving into the top-five in team history in receptions.

8,978 – Harold Carmichael
7,412 – Pete Retzlaff
6,464 – Mike Quick
6,276 – DeSean Jackson
5,619 – Pete Pihos
5,563 – Zach Ertz*

 

6. Eagles are formidable under the lights

The Eagles are one of the best under the lights and in front of a National Television audience. The Birds Primetime Winning Percentage is among the best in the NFL since 2016.

.763 (14-4-1) – Seahawks
.737 (14-5) – Steelers
.731 (19-7) – Patriots
.684 (13-6) – @Eagles
.652 (15-8) – Cowboys
(min. 15 primetime games)

Eagles Inactives for MNF: Philadelphia to play with 3 WR’s vs. Giants

Eagles WR Nelson Agholor, RB Jordan Howard, DE Derek Barnett all INACTIVE vs. Giants

The Philadelphia Eagles have officially released their list of inactives for their game against the New York Giants and they’ll be without four starters.

The Eagles will play with only three wide receivers, ensuring that JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Greg Ward each get another start.

The Eagles will play more two-tight end sets while moving Josh Perkins into the lineup at times and likely shifting Zach Ertz into the slot or out wide when the formations fit.

Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (concussion) was already ruled out.

Report: Eagles to be without Derek Barnett, Nelson Agholor for game vs. Giants

Eagles to be without Derek Barnett, Nelson Agholor for game vs. Giants

The weather is nasty in Philadelphia right now and with the rain having a negative effect on the field conditions at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles could be without four starters.

Derrick Gunn of NBC Sports Philadelphia is reporting that the Eagles will be without Kamu Grugier-Hill (Concussion), Nelson Agholor (Knee), Derek Barnett (Ankle) and Jordan Howard (neck) for the teams game against the New York Giants.

With Agholor out, the Eagles will take the field with just three healthy wide receivers. JJ Arcega-Whiteside will start opposite Alshon Jeffery, with Greg Ward manning the slot. Josh Perkins was called up from the practice squad and could see time as well.

Barnett left the Eagles loss to the Dolphins with an ankle injury and missed the bulk of the week while rehabbing.

Grugier-Hill self-reported concussion symptoms on Thursday, and is currently in the protocol awaiting clearance.