Eagles vs. Redskins: What should you watch for?
By Matt Giraldi
Aug 29, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
Nelson Agholor(17) warms up before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Does Sports Science Transfer to Football Fundamentals?
This might be a recurring issue to watch for until it’s fixed. The Philadelphia Eagles are dropping way too many passes. Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, and Nelson Agholor all had critical drops against the Jets. Agholor’s came on a third and long deep in the Eagles territory. Mathews dropped a potential touchdown when a pass hit him in the numbers. And Sproles nearly hauled in a pass that would have likely been taken to the end zone as well. Simply put, the drops have to stop.
Sam Bradford is not exempt from this list as well. Watching the first three games for the Eagles, Bradford is staring down his receivers in a BIG way. His first interception of the season is a prime example of Bradford not going through his progressions. Jordan Matthews lined up as the inside slot receiver and was open in the flat. While there was only a minute left in the first half, Matthews had a free ten yards and the sideline to stop the clock. Instead, Bradford never took his eyes off Zach Ertz and William Moore read the play perfectly to jump the route.
Unfortunately, nothing has changed from Week 1 until now. Bradford continually stared down receivers against both Dallas and against the Jets. For an offense that is struggling to define itself as a run-oriented team, the Eagles can ill afford to have Bradford’s predictability create opportunities for opposing defenses. The Redskins have not intercepted a pass yet this season, and hopefully Bradford or the receivers do not give them an opportunity.