Eagles-Commanders Movie Preview: This might be an enormous A.J. Brown recreation

I’m not the largest fan of Eagles recreation previews, primarily as a result of I don’t have the time to observe much more movie through the season. Nonetheless, that is a straightforward one, as a result of I’ve watched a ton of Washington Commanders movie this 12 months!

Eagles Offense vs. Washington Protection

There is just one place to begin this preview. The Washington protection will not be excellent towards the run. Washington gave up 139 dashing yards per recreation (thirtieth) at 4.9 yards per carry (thirtieth). Within the two video games vs. Washington this 12 months, Saquon Barkley has 55 carries for 296 yards and 4 touchdowns. Is that good? This ought to be a recreation the place the Eagles have success working the soccer.
Washington’s line of defense is aggressive and will get up the sector shortly. The Eagles took benefit of this final time the 2 groups met and ran some lure performs (akin to Crunch) that we haven’t seen the Eagles run fairly often. I count on to see some extra of those runs if the Washington’ protection continues to stand up the sector shortly.

13) Then we noticed a Kellen Moore staple, usually known as ‘Crunch’. You’ll be able to spot this run because it entails a guard lure block and a wham block to hopefully create some area up the center. It is a superb change up from the Eagles normal runs and it labored completely right here! pic.twitter.com/0GEkjH0lAU

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) November 18, 2024

Look how aggressive the Washington’ line of defense is right here. You’ll be able to reap the benefits of this for those who get to the second stage. They play a 1-gap model a variety of the time, and if they aren’t extraordinarily gap-sound, they are often inclined to explosive runs.

15) It shortly grew to become the Saquon Barkley present to shut out the sport. There was nothing fancy right here, however I believe the Eagles had began to put on the Washington protection down and holes began to seem. Barkley is so so explosive within the open area and he activates the jets to outrun… pic.twitter.com/n46OsR1D2Q

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) November 18, 2024

Nonetheless, it’s truthful to level out that outdoors of the explosive runs the Eagles didn’t run the ball nicely towards Washington in Week 16. Nonetheless, Jalen Hurts didn’t play! He has a huge effect on the run recreation, even when he isn’t absolutely wholesome. One other one of many the explanation why the Eagles struggled to run the soccer in Week 16 was the play of the Eagles’ tight ends. Fortunately, Dallas Goedert is taking part in this time (until this new ankle damage retains him out?)! I count on the Eagles to have the ability to run the ball nicely.

9) They weren’t the one drawback with the run recreation, however the Eagles tight ends (Calcaterra particularly) have been a catastrophe in run blocking after the first quarter. Barkley’s a particular again however cannot persistently create one thing out of nothing. He will need to have thought he was again in New… pic.twitter.com/bM4pkQmjqp

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) December 23, 2024

When Kenny Pickett got here into the lineup, Washington stacked the field, and the Eagles struggled to run the soccer. I’d count on Washington to stack the field and dare the Eagles to throw it. This might be a ‘single-high let it fly’ recreation for the offense. Nonetheless, Washington has carried out a very good job within the two matchups, taking away deep photographs by taking part in with off-coverage.
The Washington’ go protection is common, however they do some good schematic issues. They don’t seem to be afraid of blitzing linebackers and infrequently rotate their safeties. I’d be fairly comfortable if Washington decides to blitz this Eagles’ offense as a result of they often have good solutions towards stress (think about saying that final 12 months).

5) I like this passing recreation a lot extra when the opposition blitz. The Eagles all the time have a fast recreation reply for stress and Hurts appears to be like in complete command. That is only a easy slant. I am stunned we do not see extra fast recreation. It looks like one thing they solely run vs.… pic.twitter.com/PrFigNIols

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) November 18, 2024

This might be an enormous AJ Brown recreation. This Washington protection will not be afraid to play man protection, and so they trusted Marshon Lattimore to cowl AJ Brown in one-on-one protection the final time these groups met. AJ Brown dominated Lattimore. The numbers don’t look unbelievable because of the variety of go interference penalties, but when Washington desires to play this fashion once more, then I sit up for it. Lattimore did play very nicely towards the Detroit Lions, however I nonetheless fancy AJ Brown on this one. So long as he’s wholesome, that’s!

7) AJ Brown was a monster on this recreation. If Washington desires to place Lattimore on in him within the playoffs then good luck to them. I preferred Kellen Moore taking a deep shot instantly after the large Saquon run. I believe Pickett underthrows this as he is late (and has a noodle arm) however… pic.twitter.com/Rq96ceOQjy

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) December 23, 2024

You’ll be able to see that they blitz and play a variety of man protection, right here.

By way of people, control Frankie Luvu. He’s an aggressive linebacker and can in all probability attempt to hit Jalen Hurts… once more. I discover him to be just a little overaggressive (some would say soiled…), however he is an effective soccer participant.
The rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil is an effective participant, too. He can play inside and out of doors and has a knack for locating the soccer. He’ll in all probability see a variety of DeVonta Smith, and whereas he’s a gifted cornerback, I count on DeVonta to win that matchup.
Washington has some very gifted gamers upfront, too. Daron Payne is an explosive athlete who can get after the quarterback, however his aggressive model means he may be caught out within the run recreation. Jonathan Allen is excellent,g however he hasn’t been in a position to save Washington’s poor run protection this 12 months.

Washington Offense vs. Eagles Protection

The Eagles’ protection gave up 5 touchdowns to Jayden Daniels in week 16. Washington’s recreation plan was excellent, and the Eagles’ protection struggled massively. Washington’s route ideas challenged the Eagles’ route distribution and communication, and the Eagles couldn’t deal with it. I used to be impressed with the sport that Kliff Kingsbury referred to as.

5) Then the issues started. Washington examined the Eagles route distribution again and again and received the battle. I can not be 100% sure, nevertheless it appears to be like like CJGJ bites on the WR pretending to dam and begin to fly all the way down to the flat when he ought to stick with the WR. I would put this one on… pic.twitter.com/Df6SzpgL7Q

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) December 23, 2024

14) Let’s finish right here. I am going to save the main points for my BGN publish nevertheless it’s a unbelievable idea that stresses the Eagles 3v2 matchup. When DeJean is overwhelmed inside, Baun and Blankenship each attempt to assist him out by undercutting the route. However somebody (I believe Baun) has to stick with the… pic.twitter.com/h1i0ch2xGU

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) December 23, 2024

One of many the explanation why the Eagles’ protection struggled towards Washington was because of the multiplicity of their offense. They accomplish that many issues nicely as a result of Jayden Daniels is excellent. Daniels has a unbelievable arm and throws with nice anticipation and timing for a rookie. He can hit intermediate routes in the midst of the sector in addition to down-the-field ideas. They run a variety of of RPO’s and display passes (that you must be ready for passes behind the LOS) however nonetheless handle to emphasize a protection each horizinallty and vertically. This can be a powerful passing recreation to defend, led by Terry McLaurin.

7) Cannot actually clarify to you what Quinyon Mitchell is doing right here. He is been distinctive this 12 months, however had just a few rookie moments on this one. The Eagles carry 5 and get a free rusher, and Daniels deserves credit score for displaying no concern. I am guessing Quinyon is anticipating a publish or… pic.twitter.com/qAUd2OhXN0

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) December 23, 2024

Along with this, the Eagles struggled with Washington’s vertical downfield ideas in week 16. Washington will not be afraid to throw it deep and stretch a protection vertically. These down-the-field routes additionally create a variety of area within the intermediate space.
Regardless of giving up fifth touchdowns, Vic Fangio dominated the Washington offense early on in week 16. Jayden Daniels is nice, however he’s a rookie. You’ll be able to completely confuse him with some disguised coverages and a number of fronts. Fangio was very a number of this week towards the Rams, and I count on him to be the identical on this one.

Eagles Protection All22 thread vs. Washington. 1) Try Nolan Smith making the suitable deal with look foolish! The Eagles bought a variety of free rushers early on and Fangio had Jayden Daniels confused. Nolan Smith had just a few glorious rushes together with this one. The Eagles began out nicely. pic.twitter.com/VtlzeW65zw

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) December 23, 2024

One thing that isn’t simple to see from the All22 is the hurry-up that Washington performs. Washington leads the lead with 60.4% hurry-up. The following highest crew is at 24.5% That’s fairly insane. Washington does this to try to maintain the protection in favorable personnel and simplify defensive calls. The Eagles want to verify they’re ready for this.
Washington will run a variety of empty formations ,too. These may be powerful to defend as you need to be ready for the specter of Jayden Daniels taking off. Jayden Daniels will run. So much. Jayden Daniels had just a few accidents within the common season and Washington tried to restrict his dashing makes an attempt. They won’t restrict it this week! I count on Daniels to scramble rather a lot.
Be careful for Eagles’ legend Zach Ertz within the purple zone. He’s nonetheless excellent at utilizing his physique to create separation and supply Daniels with a throwing window. There aren’t many higher receivers at successful within the purple zone.
The Eagles’ protection shut down Washington’s run recreation final outing, however I’m unsure it is going to be as simple this week. Washington ran the ball successfully vs. the Detroit Lions, and it’s a really multiple-run recreation because of Jayden Daniels. You will note a variety of zone learn, counter learn, and QB sweep. Fortunately for the Eagles, Washington’s guard Sam Cosmi is injured this week and will likely be a giant miss. Jalen Carter would possibly blow up a variety of runs.
Washington performs a variety of Pony personnel (2 working backs), and Austin Ekeler remains to be a weapon within the passing recreation. Washington throws a variety of quick balls to the flat, and the Eagles must rally and deal with nicely. Ekeler had 8 receptions for 89 yards when these groups met for the first time this season.

2) I do count on a variety of groups to focus on the Eagles within the flat, particularly from 21 personnel. We noticed the Eagles have some points with movement and protecting the flat on this one. Mockingly, I commented on how nicely the Eagles coated the flats final week! It simply exhibits you the right way to… pic.twitter.com/XVkUie8tTG

— Jonny Web page (@JonnyPage9) November 18, 2024

The run recreation numbers are form of bizarre. They rank 1st in zone run success fee (which doesn’t shock me), however they run a variety of hole scheme. Equally, they don’t typically run into stacked bins, however they do it nicely!

Total

In case you take a look at the statistics, the Eagles are the higher crew. The Eagles have been the higher crew all season lengthy. However this Washington crew is hitting their stride within the playoffs. Their offense is taking part in exceptionally nicely. The Eagles’ protection is unbelievable, however I count on Washington to have some success on offense. That is the week the place the Eagles want the offense to step up and rating 30+ factors. The Eagles’ offense can do it, however it is going to be an in depth one. So much might come all the way down to the well being and mobility of Jalen Hurts. I nonetheless fancy the Eagles to get the win at house!

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