Game planning and execution are about finding mismatches that not only highlight the strengths of the current Philadelphia Eagles roster but also expose how opponents can be exploited.
And for first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, these three areas are ripe for the picking come Week 1 when the Eagles host the Washington Commanders.
3 weak links the Eagles must take advantage of with Commanders in Week 1
Attack the outside linebackers on the ground with Barkley, Bigsby, and the wide zone scheme
The Commanders brought in a pair of new pass rushers, Odafe Oweh and K'Lavon Chaisson, a duo who can no doubt get after Jalen Hurts, but one is absolutely susceptible to getting swallowed up in the ground game.
With massive size advantages at both tackle spots in Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, Mannion must attack these two outside backers early and often. Washington nose tackle De'Ron Payne can muddy the waters at times inside, so Mannion's new scheme implementing wide zone and off-tackle runs fits this matchup like a glove. Johnson, Mailata, and company can wash out Chaisson and Oweh, springing Barkley and Bigsby for chunk runs in this showdown.
Test the rookie and the vet ILB duo out with plenty of play action calls for Jalen Hurts
Eagles fans are highly familiar with Washington veteran Frankie Luvu, who infamously leaped over the offensive line numerous times back in 2024's NFC Championship Game. He's an emotional, spirited player in the Washington linebackers unit, while rookie first-rounder Sonny Styles will be suiting up in his first-ever regular season tilt. The energy and emotions of Week 1 will be fully charged, and both Commanders linebackers are going to be out for blood.
Hitting them with play action will open up options, as tight end Dallas Goedert and others will now look to make opponents pay over the middle with more frequency in Mannion's new offensive system. Styles is uber talented, and Luvu is a savvy vet, but baiting them in the play-action phase along with varied RPO looks should pay dividends. The more confused this Washington linebacker group is in Week 1, the harder it becomes for them to pin their ears back and just hunt the football down.
Intermediate shots and middle-of-the-field routes aplenty will break Commanders defense
The secondary for the visitors in this Week 1 matchup is going to have their hands full trying to slow down DeVonta Smith, but other playmakers for Philadelphia can also feast in both the intermediate passing phase and various routes over the middle. It's been a target area in the passing game that has been sorely lacking in recent years for the Eagles, but now, with Mannion calling the shots, Hurts is going to be looking plenty over the middle.
The safety tandem for Washington will feature newcomer Nick Cross, who arrives via free agency from Indianapolis, as well as returning veteran Jeremy Reaves. Traditionally a special teams standout, Reaves is now in the starting lineup, while Cross, of course, is brand new to the unit. Chemistry, communication, and ultimately confusion could all be in the cards for Washington in the pass-defense phase in Week 1.
Read more: Jalen Carter could be on the cusp of ultimate defensive honor with Eagles
This Washington defense has undergone a ton of upheaval in the personnel department. A frenzied home crowd in Philadelphia, coupled with an entirely new approach to attacking the opposition, could very well have this Eagles offense flying high come Week 1.
Add us as a preferred source on Google