Eagles: Chemistry between Wentz and Jeffery will be key against Redskins

The chemistry between Carson Wentz and Alshon Jeffery will be a determining factor in the Eagles’ week one contest with the Redskins.

It’s finally here! Meaningful football is just around the corner and there are plenty of storylines to take a look at. The Philadelphia Eagles will travel down I-95 to take on the Washington Redskins, and if they want to walk away with a victory, they’ll need big performances from quarterback Carson Wentz and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.

Big Plays

If there’s one thing that all Eagles fans can agree on, it’s that the big plays through the air were few and far between last year.  A big factor in that lack of production was lack of talent. The best wide receiver on the team was Jordan Matthews who was reliable but didn’t really create those “splash” plays. The lack of big plays allowed teams to cover the shorter underneath routes more, and load the box against the run.

Philadelphia Eagles

The addition of Jeffery however should help alleviate those concerns. Jeffery is a big bodied receiver who can make plays when Wentz just “throws one up for grabs”. The two have already created some of that chemistry in practice, but game situations are a whole different story. Even though Jeffery isn’t a “burner,” he’s still a legitimate downfield (20+ yards) threat. If the two players are able to grow together during the season, then the offense will really take off.

Concerns

There is an old saying that goes “the best ability is availability.” Through the preseason, this certainly didn’t apply to Jeffery. He missed significant time during camp and got very limited work in-game action. Now, we all know what he brings to the table as a player, but things are different when players change teams. This is especially true with receivers. They need to develop timing and a feel for their quarterbacks. If they are not on the same page, the lapses in communication can lead to turnovers.

Jeffery’s lack of playing time this preseason is a bit concerning, but it doesn’t mean that fans should push the panic button quite yet. He and Wentz still have time to develop that chemistry, but with game one being against a division rival, a lack of chemistry could lead to a rough start.

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt that Alshon Jeffery is one of the most talented receivers that the Eagles have had in the last few years. Still, all that talent could be wasted if there isn’t a good rapport with Wentz. A division game is a rough way to start the season, but a lack of production in the passing game could make for a long afternoon. If everything is clicking, then this should be a fun game to watch. If not, well, we’ll Philly will have to that bridge when we come to it.