NFL
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES VS. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM PREDICTIONS
PICKS
PHI Eagles Win -6.0 Point Spread
-105
Under 42.5 Game Totals
-110
Point Spread Pick
The Washington franchise’s first-ever game as The Washington Football Team will come against the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday afternoon. Washington’s name is not the only thing that is new. It begins the 2020 campaign with a new head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator. Ron Rivera has a big job on his hands trying to turn this organization around, and it is an organization that has not made the playoffs since 1999. The Football Team formerly known as the Redskins started three different quarterbacks last season, ranked bottom in points per game and passing yards per game. Dwayne Haskins will be under center this season, he started seven games last season, going 2-5. He will need to improve his accuracy and avoid taking sacks if he is going to succeed in 2020. And how is Haskins going to get help from the running game when Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson were just released during the offseason?
Although the Eagles did not exactly have the best 2019 season, they still blew away Washington in the standings (9-7 to 3-13). Quarterback Carson Wentz got hurt in the playoffs, but he was mostly effective when healthy. Drafting Jalen Hurts does not help Wentz any, but he Philadelphia drafted Jalen Reagor in the first round along with John Highower and Quez Watkins in later rounds. DeSean Jackson returns from injury and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside is expected to make the year-two leap. This offense can be dangerous, but it isn’t particularly deep so staying healthy is paramount. On defense, the Eagles traded for cornerbacks Darius Slay and Nickell Robey-Coleman. They also added DT Javon Hargrave from Pittsburgh to go alongside Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and Malik Jackson. This team should be able to win by a touchdown–or more–over the WFT.
Game Totals Pick
The Eagles also addressed their wide receiver depth in free agency by bringing in Marquise Goodwin, but he ended up opting out due to COVID-19. Up front they have already lost All-Pro guard Brandon Brooks and LT Andre Dillard to season-ending injuries. Jordan Mailata will start at left tackle, Jason Peters will play guard following Brooks’ injury, and tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai is gone. This unit has been one of the best in recent years but there are some concerns heading into the season. It has to compete right away with No. 2 overall pick Chase Young, too. Young is now part of a 4-3 defense, switching from a 3-4 under new DC Jack Del Rio. The new formation should suit the talent on this roster much better that what was going on with that side of the ball in the past. The defensive front could be one of the best in the league–also featuring Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat, Daron Payne, Matt Ioannidis, and Jonathan Allen. There really isn’t anything to suggest that either offense will find much success on Sunday. Take the under.