Tag: Commanders at Eagles 2022 Preview

Remembering a 2020 Washington Monday Night football Win

Remember when Washington went on the road in 2020 and took down 11-0 Pittsburgh?

Here are the Eagles, the biggest favorite of Week 10 at 11 points over the Commanders. The Commanders go on the road up to Philly to face the 8-0 Eagles on Monday Night Football.

Interestingly enough, three of the last four NFL teams to get to 8-0 lost their next game. The 2018 Rams lost to the Saints 45-35. The 49ers were 8-0 in 2019 but lost to the Seahawks 27-24. Also in 2019, the 8-0 Patriots were clobbered in Baltimore 37-20. The Steelers broke the trend beating up the Bengals 36-10 in 2020 to go to 9-0.

In fact, that Steelers team made it to 11-0. How many of you recall what happened to Pittsburgh in their next game?  Well, the Washington Football Team went up to Pittsburgh on December 7, 2020, and handed the Steelers their first loss of the season, 23-17.

Washington entered that game 4-7 but had won its last two games, defeating the Bengals 20-9 at FedEx Field and then the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day in Dallas 41-16.

So when Pittsburgh jumped on Washington 14-0 with two first-half Ben Roethlisberger touchdown passes, it seemed very likely that the Steelers would finish the night 12-0.

However, when Dustin Hopkins banged in a 49-yard field goal with 1 second remaining in the half, things changed in the minds of Washington players. They took the second-half kickoff, marched 82 yards for a Peyton Barber 1-yard run, and suddenly, it was a game. Washington now trailed only 14-10.

When the Steelers led 17-10 early in the final quarter, Washington drove 53 yards in 8 plays, with Alex Smith connecting with Logan Thomas from 15 yards, tying the game 17-17.

On their next possession, Washington drove 45 yards in nine plays, and Hopkins’ 45-yard field goal gave Washington their first lead at 20-17. Hopkins then added another 45-yard field goal for the final 23-17 margin.

Washington had won their third consecutive game and made it four consecutive, winning 23-15 the next week at San Francisco. On the final week of the season, Washington defeated the Eagles on Sunday Night Football 20-14 to finish 7-9 and atop the NFC East.

History may be on Washington’s side Monday Night. However, it will be a tremendous challenge to win this game in Philly. One thing for certain. the Commanders offensive line will have to perform MUCH better than the first Eagles game, a 24-8 rout by the Eagles at FedEx. On that Sunday, the Eagles sacked Carson Wentz 9 times, accumulating a mind-boggling 17 QB hits.

 

Commanders Del Rio: ‘We’re going to go in and compete’

Jack Del Rio understands the challenge ahead on Monday, but he embraces it and says Washington’s defense is ready.

In their first meeting this season, the Commanders lost to the Eagles 24-8. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio candidly offered to the press Friday, “Yeah, the scary part is we actually played pretty good. They’ve got a really good team. They’re rolling. They’re red hot.”

But Del Rio was quick to add, “We’re going to go in and compete. We got ourselves ready, got to meet a great challenge. We’ll show up and compete.”

“It’s a big task. They’ve got a great big offensive line. I think they’re very well-coached. They’ve got excellent backs, and then the quarterback’s a runner as well. So it’s a tough ground game to slow down.”

Eagles fans are loud and boisterous. In addition, it will be a MNF atmosphere.

“I love it. Love it. It’s a great atmosphere. I mean, It should be a very exciting game for us to be a part of on Monday night.”

“We’ve got to be able to slow down a very explosive offense. Their receivers are gifted, and the quarterback’s red hot. They’ve got the best offensive line going in the league. They’ve got capable backs, and the tight end is a really good player.”

Del Rio would love to get some turnovers on the Eagles. “It’s the most important stat in football, and there’s no secret that they’re on top of the league right now in that category and that directly leads to them being undefeated at this time.”

“I think all year I’ve been pleased with the effort, the energy, the commitment, the way we’re attacking things. You’re going to improve when you work at it like that. And we’re close to the halfway point, I guess and I like some things, there’s some things that we would need to do better, and we’re working at it, but I love, I absolutely love the commitment, the effort, the energy the guys put forth in terms of trying to understand the game plan which changes from time to time and for different opponents.”

Del Rio likes how his guys have really bought in this year.

“I’m glad to have the buy-in; it’s important. I think that’s the only way to get better and to attack things straightforward. Brutally honest but create an atmosphere that is fun to be around, and that’s what we look to do.”

Chase Young continues to work out and progress toward being reactivated.

“Well, his energy’s always great. He’s giving it everything he has, and when he is right, we’re going to play him, but until he is right, we’re not going to play him.”

Del Rio is quick to point out that his defensive line is leading the way.

(Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne) “they’re talented guys. They work hard, and have a great work ethic. I think they both love the game, love football. I think it helps to have players that love football and those two guys love it.”

“We talked about [Defensive Line Coach Jeff Zgonina] Z last week. I think he’s done a good job working with those guys (defensive line)”.