In Week 4, we thought we would see an epic showdown between Donovan McNabb coming home against his former team and new starting QB Michael Vick. All the hype surrounding the game and Donovan's return quickly became irrelevant when Vick went down in the first half with a sternum injury that eventually sidelined him for the next 3 games. Kevin Kolb came in and was one Jason Avant dropped touchdown away from actually winning the game in the final seconds (Video after the jump). This week, on Monday Night Football, we will (hopefully) get to see that game come to fruition. Only this week, it's the Eagles who seem to be riding high and the Redskins, particularly McNabb, who are clouded with uncertainty.
The Redskins are coming off a bye week that was anything but relaxing. In the previous game, which was a loss at Detroit, Donovan McNabb was benched with his team down 6 with two minutes left...for Rex Grossman. On Grossman's first play he fumbled, which was promptly recovered and returned for a touchdown effectively ending the game. All week Donovan had to hear about how he wasn't familiar enough with the offense, didn't have the "cardiovascular endurance" to run the two minute drill and how Kyle Shanahan wanted to have Donovan benched earlier in the season. As always, Donovan handled it like a pro and I'm sure he's looking to quiet his doubters with a strong outing against the Eagles.
The Birds are coming off a huge win against the Colts and confidence is at its highest point this season. Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson are back healthy and making big plays. Jackson is facing a team in Washington that he has routinely killed in the past, scoring on deep pass plays, punt returns and end-arounds. Expect more of the same this week when the Eagles go against the 31st ranked defense in terms of yards allowed. The Redskins allow 393 ypg which is a recipe for disaster against this 4th ranked offense.
On the other side of the ball, the Redskins are ranked 19th in total offense and have not a productive offensive output since Week 5 in a win against Green Bay. While the Eagles are not a particularly stout defensive unit, they can certainly pressure the quarterback and generate turnovers, which they should be able to do enough of in this game. Bottom line is, the Redskins skill position players do not pose a threat to opposing defenses. While Chris Cooley should have a good game since the Eagles are porous when it comes to guarding the tight end, don't expect much from the receivers. Ryan Torain ran wild early in the last meeting, but was held to only 70 yards for the game.
I expect to see a replay of last year's Monday Night game in Washington where DeSean Jackson made big play after big play and the Eagles rolled. With the health of the skill players for Philadelphia, combined with the overall lack of talent in Washington on the offensive side of the ball, the Eagles should roll in this one. I expect a score of 27-13 Eagles with Michael Vick running roughshod all over FedEx Field in his first Monday Night Football start since 2006.
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