Game 9: Redskins (5-3) vs. Eagles (3-5)

vs.

The Washington Redskins host a 1pm ET tilt with division rival Philadelphia Eagles, lifetime Eagles fan, sason ticket holder and Curly R reader/lurker Wilbert Montgomery and I will be attending this game extending our streaks to 17 of the past 18 Redskins-Eagles games regardless of venue and 15 straight for me.

The Eagles are a desperate desperate team. At 3-5 and fading they are looking for a turnaround and the Redskins have always been good for the Eagles' spirits. In the past nine years the Eagles are 11-6 against the Redskins. Doh.

Eagles coach Andy Reid's sons were sentenced last week to up to two years in jail for drug, weapons and road rage. The judge in the case said the Reids' house was like a 'drug emporium' and alluded to some support of the sons' drug habits by the parents. Andy is promising not to resign. Double doh.

The talk of replacing Donovan McNabb with rookie Kevin Kolb is here. Andy is promising to stay with Dono for the rest of the season. Triple doh.

Brian Westbrook is chunking so hard, he is the best player on that team. He singlehandedly kept the Eagles in the first game against the Redskins on Monday night. Fourple doh.

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For an average team I think the Redskins have the right attitude, they know that they could as soon be 7-1 as 1-7. The defense is carrying the team and if the Redskins cannot learn how to score the games will continue to be close and I would not mind a blowout now and again, the 2007 Redskins are bad for my heart.

This game promises to be no different. Familiar teams, familiar players. You know Joe Gibbs will keep it close, play it conservative and someone will have to make a difference.

Maybe LaRon Landry? He devastated Kellen Clemens last week even though one of his hits was helmet to helmet and cost him a game check. After laying off the blitz since week four against the Lions it was time to get it back on, I'd like to see somemore of that.

Maybe Clinton Portis? He and Ladell ran all over the Jets last week, mainly on the left side and it can't be a coincidence that the characters are back, say hi to Choo-Choo. As Derek at Iggles Blog points out the Redskins run average is directly correlated to rush attempts, the more of the one leads to the more of the other. So they have to feed the stud and not be content to let Clinton have his 17 carries per game he was averaging before the Jets game, the Redskins can be happy about that performance but need to do more against this Eagles team.

Maybe Rocky McIntosh? Brian Westbrook will be coming and he is such a huge part of that Eagles offense that neutralizing him could change this game.

Maybe Jason Campbell? After making us forget Mark Brunell by airing it out at the start of the season he has not had that big mideseason game that makes us gasp.

Maybe any receiver? With still no receiver catching a TD pass someone needs to get in the end zone.

Curly R aside: what's up with all the hamstring injuries? I know it's a common injury in a sport like football but seriously, Antwaan Randle El, Marcus Washington, Fred Smoot, James Thrash and Stephon Heyer? I am not ready to say 2007 training camp was not physical enough but we know one injury can lead to another.

On the injury front Marcus Washington and Cornelius Griffin are hoping to get back and Rock Cartwright is almost back to 100%. Would not mind a long return or two from him.

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My take in 60 words or less: the Eagles always play the Redskins well and a three point home favorite is just a toss up. The Eagles are looking to break out and the Redskins are perilously close to losing these close games. With the Eagles secondary hurt the Redskins need to make something happen in the passing game to win.

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The saga of Brandon Lloyd continues. He missed a team meeting last Friday and was disallowed from accompanying the team to New York for the Jets game and Joe Gibbs insists Brandon is still in the team's plans. This remains to be seen, I'll be looking to see if Mr. two catches gets in the game. What a bonehead, a freaking dumbass.


Washington Post preview, Redskins Gameday (PDF). I agree with three of four items in the WaPo preview, yes to rattling Dono, yes to creative blitzing, yes to Clinton on the ground. However they point out in number four that the Eagles are adept at exploiting pass protection weaknesses, something the team did not do in week two with Jon Jansen and Randy Thomas out, a fact the Wilbert Montgomery emphatically pointed out to me after that game.

Again, Campbell's Corner is entirely unenlightening. Redskins projected starters, Eagles projected starters. Redskins roster, Eagles roster. TV coverage map.


Other previews: The Redskin Report (statalicious), Hogs Haven 5 Questions with Jason at BGN, Redskins AOL Fanhouse, The Fun Bunch. Iggles Blog.



This is a gameday open thread.