I think the Chargers will bring their A+ game on Sunday. What a crushing way for them to lose. Rivers looked great through 2.5 quarters yesterday, I really worry about our secondary against a QB that can throw more then 10 yards downfield. Plus whether they admit it or not, I bet a ton of guys are going to be looking forward to Thursday. I think they lose Sunday then beat the Chiefs and then get pummeled by the Broncos. 2-2 is not a bad start at all.
I keep listening to some of the national media people and I feel like a lot of people are missing the point. A lot of people are saying the Eagles were exposed or that the Redskins figured the Eagles out after half time.
Really? At the start of the 3rd quarter, RG3 threw another pick, and McCoy had a spectacular run for another quick score. It was 33-7. It is extremely difficult for the coaches, players, offense, and defense to play with the same mentality and intensity when you are up 33-7 with almost 2 full quarters left. And it showed. Sure Redskins changed things up but so did the Eagles.
And even then if Avant doesn't fumble and gift the Redskins at least 3 points (they scored 7), the game might not have even gotten as close as it did.
The press coverage we saw in the first half changed to tons of zone looks with blitzes up the middle. On the plays the Skins picked up the blitz, RG3 had wide open WRs sitting in the zones. We have to assume this was part of the plan to let them work down the field methodically but not to give up any big play. Of course with Avant's fumble this worked against them and instead of the Skins taking possibly a full quarter to score 2 TDs they scored 14 points within 3 minutes of each other.
There were also tons of mistakes and some odd play calling. On a 3rd and 15 where they should have called a draw or screen play to eat up some yards and time and possibly get into FG range, they went with a traditional pass play which was incomplete. Chip acknowledged that the coaches made some mistakes and its great to have a win when you know you have a lot to correct.
I'd like to believe the first half Eagles O, D, and ST was closer to what we should expect. I am not saying they are going to beat SD no questions asked, but I think we should expect some mistakes to be cleaned up. Its our home opener against a team traveling cross country, different time zone, with a questionable D, and against non mobile QB who for the past 2-3 seasons has been a turnover machine himself.
We also didn't use or see much from Casey, Ertz, and even Celek though he caught a TD. Bryce Brown was also used sparingly and Polk was only in on STs. I think the Eagles have some tools to use if SD focuses solely on shutting down DJAX and McCoy. Chip will have to stay ahead of defenses and force them to adjust on the fly. We heard a lot about the 3 TEs and 2 back sets and yet saw none. Vick said what we saw was 60% of the playbook. Shurmur said they couldn't even get some of the plays they practiced in. So its not as if we saw everything and that's all there is to it.
Also I think this D doesn't have to be great but if they can force some quick 3 and outs, it destroys the oppositions D because they have to come back on the field right away against the high paced Eagles O. Redskins were gassed by the end of the first quarter.
BTW how refreshing was it to see the D make some plays? Forcing fumbles, INTs, and getting some sacks. Trent Cole looked revived. Kendricks took a huge step from last year. And Carry Williams and Boykin looked great in the secondary. Poyer was abused. And Chung was great in run support but made a stupid stupid stupid ill timed jump that cost us a TD.
Prediction:
Eagles 24 Charges 17
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