Philadelphia Eagles versus Washinton Redskins: 5 areas to watch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles shakes hands with head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins after the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 27-22. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 11: Head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles shakes hands with head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins after the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 27-22. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Vernon Davis #85 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against Nigel Bradham #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Vernon Davis #85 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against Nigel Bradham #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

5. How will the Eagles’ second level on defense handle the run and the pass?

There are a lot of bodies in the Eagles linebacker corps. Unfortunately, we really don’t know half of them, and they’re all still getting to know Jim Schwartz.

Kamu Grugier-Hill can’t go. He’s hurt. Nigel Bradham will be there, but we haven’t seen much of him this Summer. That leaves former Redskins linebacker Zach Brown, L.J. Fort, T.J. Edwards, and a man who’s now one of the more-tenured Eagles linebackers, Nathan Gerry, to fill in where there are voids and provide quality minutes.

As you know, Schwartz is allergic to blitzing. In his scheme, linebackers are asked to play coverage, roam, and make plays. We know Case Keenum will have to make throws. We know Washington’s receivers will be asked to put some pressure on the Eagles secondary.

Next. How tough is the Eagles' schedule? (A 16-game forecast). dark

Philly’s second level will have to help neutralize the running game and be ready to limit the tight ends and any wrinkles the Redksins may throw into their gameplan. Will they be up to the task? We won’t have to wait much longer to find out.