Can the Eagles beat Washington to help out the Cowboys?
The Dallas Cowboys might just pull it off. As they try to shock the NFL with a playoff appearance, they basically must win two playoff games on Sunday. Not literally, but you know what I mean. First, they'll have to beat the New York Giants on the road. If they get the win, that will […]
The Dallas Cowboys might just pull it off. As they try to shock the NFL with a playoff appearance, they basically must win two playoff games on Sunday. Not literally, but you know what I mean. First, they'll have to beat the New York Giants on the road. If they get the win, that will be just Part I.
Part II will be sitting down – or perhaps pacing around the room nervously, as many of us will – and watching the other NFC East matchup taking place in Week 17. Ironically, the Cowboys will be rooting for the same team they just beat by 20 points last Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Washington Football Team. To make things more dramatic, the game was flexed to Sunday Night Football and will be broadcast on national TV.
If both outcomes favor Dallas, they'll get to host a game in January as the NFC East division champions. Beating the Giants won't be an easy task for Mike McCarthy's Cowboys, but it should be doable. Right now, it's the other game that might concern Cowboys Nation the most.
Can the Eagles beat Washington?
Just like last week, it's difficult to predict an outcome of this game without knowing who will play quarterback for Washington. Alex Smith is expected to be ready. Ron Rivera is optimistic about his return. But the truth is, we won't really know until he steps on the practice field.
If Smith isn't ready to go, it'll be Taylor Heinicke's game and that doesn't bode well for Washington even though Heinicke was willing to sling the ball last weekend.
"Eight of his 19 passes counted as deep balls, traveling more than 15 yards downfield. Only seven passers threw more deep balls this week. Only two of Heinicke's deep balls were completed, however, for a total of 48 yards." – FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS' VINCENT VERHEI
Assuming Smith is ready to go, Washington should have the edge over the Eagles considering their talented defensive front and potential ability to stop Jalen Hurts. If Ron Rivera and his coaching staff find a way to neutralize Hurts' dual-threat ability like the Cowboys did on Week 16 with C.J. Goodwin playing spy on him, Philadelphia's offense will struggle to pass the ball.
Washington's pass rushers will be licking their chops at the opportunity of taking the ball away from Hurts, who has nine fumbles this season in only 287 snaps.
On the other hand, if Washington is unable to limit Hurts' legs, chances are they're in for a long night. After all, the Eagles were very successful against two of the NFL's top defenses in the rookie's first two starts when he rushed for 169 yards over two weeks.
Where the Eagles are likely to struggle the most is on defense. On back to back weeks, the Cardinals and Cowboys have exposed Philadelphia's weak secondary by lighting it up with different receivers. Last Sunday, Michael Gallup and Amari Cooper racked up 121 yards each as Andy Dalton threw three touchdown passes. One week before, Kyler Murray passed for over 400 yards and three touchdowns.
The good news for the Eagles and the Cowboys is that even with Alex Smith under center, Washington's offense is far from great. And if he isn't near 100%… Washington might struggle on offense even against a bad defense like the Eagles.
Smith is not the only player whose availability should concern Washington. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin missed last week's game due to an ankle injury and his status is still unknown.
This game feels like a toss-up and will likely come down to the wire as Cowboys' secretly chant "Fly, Eagles, Fly" in their heads. The Eagles are already eliminated, but Doug Pederson's job isn't as safe as one would imagine and Jalen Hurts needs to win the starting job in 2021, so expect the Eagles to be motivated in their season finale.
If Alex Smith is active and faces this banged-up defense, though… motivation might not be enough. It'll be a matter of whether or not they can exploit a weak defensive backfield to get the win.
Featured Image Via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
