The Philadelphia Eagles are internet hosting the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Monetary Subject on Sunday. It’s a uncommon 1:00 PM begin time for the Birds! In an effort to preview this Week 4 matchup between two NFC East groups, I reached out to our enemies over at Hogs Haven. “LASkin” kindly took the time to reply my questions on this upcoming battle. Let’s check out the solutions. [For my answers to questions about the Eagles, stay tuned to HH.]
1 – The Commanders have allowed essentially the most sacks within the NFL, six greater than some other workforce. Who/what’s guilty and the way a lot of a priority is that in opposition to the Eagles’ defensive position?
No matter has obtained extra dialogue on Hogs Haven than this one. Is it the offensive line, the offensive scheme, or the quarterback? All three definitely get some blame.
The offensive line has gotten numerous warmth from the followers. Partially, this displays frustration with the shortage of concentrate on constructing the road by way of the draft for a few years, however particularly throughout Ron Rivera’s tenure in Washington. Rivera couldn’t cling onto two All Execs that he inherited, OT Trent Williams and G Brandon Scherff. Just one OL has been drafted by Washington within the first two rounds since Scherff was taken in 2015: second rounder OT Sam Cosmi, now the RG. Nonetheless, the gathering of second tier gamers up entrance has finished higher than most followers are prepared to imagine. Scores from PFF, SIS, and ESPN are imperfect however recommend that the road is at worst about common within the NFL. When it comes to time to throw, the road has a prime 10 score.
Eric Bieniemy had a nasty day on Sunday (extra on that under). The scheme must do extra to assist the younger QB, together with extra working, shorter cross patterns, extra rollouts, and so forth.
However for my part, the primary problem has been Sam Howell. Howell doesn’t get the ball out quick sufficient. The final rule of thumb within the NFL is that you’ve 2.5 seconds to resolve the place to throw and begin your movement. He appears to have a 3.5 second clock in his head and it’s not working, although he has above common time to throw. He’s nonetheless studying to learn coverages in actual time. He likes to go deep, and followers love him for that, however he appears reluctant to dump the ball off to his checkdown if the massive play isn’t there. If he doesn’t ramp up his inside clock velocity, that is going to be a protracted season and he might be crushed to a pulp.
2 – Sam Howell regarded good in Week 2 however now he’s coming off a 4 interception recreation. What’s the arrogance degree in him bouncing again?
Sam Howell has began 4 video games. Anybody who anticipated that he would have mastered the place at this level was ignorant or silly. Only a few QBs step in and succeed instantly on this league. Howell received’t have it mastered by this Sunday, both.
But, he’s 3-1 after 4 video games. By means of 4 video games, Sam Howell has accomplished 64% of his passes, thrown 4 TDs and 5 INTs (4 of them final week), averaged 7.1 Y/A, and has a QB Ranking of 76. Comparability for Eagles followers: Jalen Hurts was 1-3 after 4 video games (all in his rookie yr), with 52% accomplished, 6 TDs and 4 INTs, 7.2 Y/A, and a QB Ranking of 78. Total, I’d say Howell has proven extra progress than Hurts on the similar level in his profession. Hurts improved his second yr however didn’t break by way of till final yr, his third within the league. If Washington doesn’t present persistence with Howell, he received’t have a breakthrough yr with them, ever.
All that stated, am I anticipating Howell to play in addition to he did in opposition to Arizona or Denver when he faces the Eagles on Sunday? Uh, no. If I’m his OC or QB coach, my aim for him can be to get the ball out shortly, even when which means throwing 20 passes to guys within the flat. I’m not anticipating him to win a recreation in opposition to an elite workforce simply but. Even when Washington loses massive, the sport might be an enormous success for him if he has not more than two sacks and has no picks.
3 – To what extent has new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy made a distinction for the Commanders?
In case you had been questioning whether or not Washington followers are fickle (I do know that’s by no means a difficulty in Philadelphia . . . ), all it’s a must to do is have a look at the response to Eric Bieniemy. The followers cherished him by way of the undefeated preseason and first two video games this yr as a result of the offense was up tempo, included some inventive play calls, and featured some candy lengthy passes. Many had been calling for Bieniemy to exchange Rivera as Head Coach on the finish of the yr if not sooner. Quick ahead per week, and followers are giving Bieniemy numerous useful solutions about how you can get the job finished and there’s no discuss of his future as a Head Coach.
The sky hasn’t fallen after one dangerous week during which they misplaced to among the best groups within the league. I’m anticipating Bieniemy to bounce again and have a a lot better recreation plan and to name a lot better performs this week. Final week they averaged seven yards per run on solely ten runs. They should run extra to reap the benefits of their RB expertise and to assist scale back the stress on the QB. I’d count on numerous shorter cross patterns this week as nicely.
4 – What’s Washington’s largest power proper now?
Little doubt about it, it’s the protection, and the defensive position particularly. They’ve 4 first spherical picks as DL starters and they’re deep there. The DL can dominate a recreation, although they’d an off day in opposition to Buffalo (zero sacks). The secondary is a power as nicely. Kam Curl is a premier security and Kendall Fuller is likely one of the finest CBs within the league. Nonetheless, rookie CB Emmanuel Forbes is feast or famine. He has expertise, however to date, he has been fooled badly by nearly each double transfer he’s seen. That may be a giant drawback in opposition to the Eagles’ WRs.
5 – Who wins this recreation and why? With DraftKings Sportsbook itemizing the Eagles as 8.5-point dwelling favorites, what’s your rating prediction? And what are your expectations for the remainder of this Commanders season?
I’d like to see the Commanders win, and as Arizona confirmed in beating Dallas final week, any workforce can win on any given Sunday. Nonetheless, I might be coldly analytic on this one and say that I count on the Eagles to win and to beat the unfold. The Eagles have an excessive amount of expertise and match up too nicely in opposition to the Commanders.
RELATED LISTENING: John Stolnis spoke with Hogs Haven for this week’s version of BGN’s Eye On The Enemy podcast.
