The Washington Redskins snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in week seven, proving they are still a work in progress. Conversely, the benefactors of the Redskins mishap were the New York Giants. The leaders of the NFC East are a real life version of “right place, right time” it feels like almost every week. Meanwhile, the Cowboys got a much needed “serenity now” win, providing them with serenity now insanity later.
Week eight also marks the return of the human turnover that is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. The Eagles’ signal caller is chasing his record of 16 fumbles in a single season which Vick set in 2004. Vick’s pace of one and a half fumbles a game is blistering. Oddly enough if the quarterback reaches his ridiculous previous record of a fumble a game (which would be 16) that would only qualify for second on the Eagles’ all-time list. Randall Cunningham coughed the pill up a record 17 times in 1989.
That 1989 season ended with an upset loss at home to the Los Angeles Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles would be lucky to have a home playoff game with the way their offense has played thus for. Prior to the bye the Eagles offense turn the ball over three times to a Detroit team, two of those were interceptions which now give Detroit two interceptions on the season.
Historical the Eagles play uninspired in the months of September and October only to soar come November and December. An undefeated Atlanta Falcons team comes to Philly, looking to 3-0 in conference play. The Falcons trio of Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez, and Roddy White have combined for 12 of the Falcons 14 receiving touchdowns, this could pose as a gift for sack struggling Eagles team (seven total) and a curse for the efficient Falcons. Expect the Eagles to generate pressure through blitzing and moving their personnel.
Both teams are coming off of a bye week thus giving them an extra week to prepare, but the Eagles fired incumbent defensive coordinator Juan Castillo and replaced him with Todd Bowles. This is Bowles first d.coordinator position and the Falcons will not know what to expect from Bowles package wise and will be scheming strictly off of Eagles’ personnel. Bowles should be prepared and will have an advantage.
The Falcons are tied for third in the league with 10 interceptions and it would make sense that they should get a plethora of interceptions, but here is where Vick will stand up and play well. Reid will run plays out of early season formations and will run out of passing formations, to keep the Falcons guessing. Also expect the Eagles to run a litany of plays to Falcons cornerback Asante Samuels’ side, whether it is play action, misdirection, or straight power runs. Samuels does not tackle well and likes to gamble, it has paid off for him and safety Thomas DeCoud who has four interceptions, but the eagles will capitalize on their familiarity with the corner.
Atlanta running back Michael Turner will keep the Falcons close, but a fourth quarter touchdown drive and late field goal will give Philly the win 26-21.
The Washington Redskins traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers on the surface would appear to be a mismatch. Defensively the Steelers are top ten in almost every statistical category except touchdowns and points per game, which are the most important.
The Redskins may be a 3-4 club but they are the fifth highest scoring team in the league at 28.7 per and their 11 rushing touchdowns is tops in the NFL. Washington may not possess a high scoring passing attack but they do offer a diverse passing attack, with six players catching at least one touchdown pass.
The Steelers have been able to move the ball through the air and Washington has not be able to stop people, look no further than New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning unleashing a 77 yard bomb to beat them just a week earlier. What was not mentioned were Washington’s two interceptions. In fact Washington is one of the better intercepting teams in the league ranking fourth overall. This will not bold well for the pass happy run miserably Steelers. A Redskin team that was able to pick New Orleans Saints qb Drew Brees twice, the aforementioned Manning twice, and Atlanta Falcons signal caller Matt Ryan once should get their hands on a few Big Ben passes.
Look for the Redskins to win a wild one here 41-31.
The Dallas Cowboys look to hold serve against the New York Giants and anyone who claims they have a clue how this game will go is a stone cold liar. Last season the Giants swept the Cowboys, but in 2010 the two teams split. Schematically each team knows the other very very well, so there will be no surprises.
These match-ups, as most divisional match-up are, will always be won on talent and execution. The Cowboys were able to secure a week’s worth of serenity, but a loss will bring a return of the insanity. Despite an opening weekend win the Cowboys know they will have their work cut out for them if they desire to sweep the Giants.
Both quarterbacks have winning records against the opposing clubs and what they have done thus far against other teams this season shall not matter. The Giants have Eli Manning and the Cowboys have Tony Romo, advantage Giants. The Giants have Victor Cruz and the Cowboys have Dez “wrong way” Bryant. Lastly the Giants have revenge and head coach Tom Coughlin while the Cowboys counter with head coach Jason Garrett and unaccountability. Expect the Giants to win a close one 27-21.