Review and Preview: The Eagles Offensive Position Groups After Week 1

QBs:

Let’s start with the negatives. There was not a lot to draw from that side of Carson’s performance. All I can say is that he was a little conservative in the first half. Not sure if that was the play calling or he did not want to force anything (guess this could be positive). One legitimate concern or minor concern I have were his check downs. Through the game, the check down was wide open, but the ball was a little late and slow for my taste, allowing yards that were there, to be lost.

The positives were uhh… everything else. The protection the O-line gave Wentz in the second half, allowed him to push the ball down the field. He looked more like a traditional pocket passer, and when he needed to move outside of the pocket, his eyes were always down the field, especially when he hit receivers on routes outside the numbers. His deep ball was great (D-Jax had a lot to do with that), he had excellent decision making and spread the ball to all his receivers. The most important thing was that the pigskins left his hand in a hurry.

Heading into Atlanta:

I expect a lot of play-action next week; the Atlanta safeties, Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, can be caught peeking into the backfield. Although you should look for a heavy dosage off the run game, after Atlanta’s performance against Dalvin Cook I expect their D-line to be prepared, so it will be on Carson to delivery dimes, and I have total confidence in him.

Outlook for Next Week: A-

Receivers (WRs and TEs):

We had summersault action, long shots, and brawls. This was just from Deshaun Jackson. It’s safe to say without those two bombs the Eagles would be in the loss column this week. However, it was the intermediate slants and his route running outside the numbers that helped the Eagles pick up critical first downs. Similar, Alshon was feasting even with Josh Norman shadowing him. The sidelines were what the Redskins were willing to give to the Eagles, and Alshon took full advantage.

As for Nelson, there was nothing really to show for. He had an opportunity in the first half in double coverage, but the ball was placed high. Overall, the Redskins understanding the Eagles like to attack the intermediate, middle areas of the field usually had their linebackers back in coverage and sometimes deep (Tampa two). That hurt Agholor today, as well as Dallas Goedert, and Zach Ertz.

Speaking of the two TEs, they were relatively quiet. Ertz came on in the second half when the Redskins were forced to pay more attention to D-Jax. As for Goedert, he showed flashes of being an elite TE, but nothing more than a what if play. Nevertheless, Godert was excellent in terms of blocking; if you asked me at the draft Dallas Godert would be the primary blocking TE of this team two years from now, I would have raised my eyebrow like you were crazy. It is clearly something he has been grinding at.

Heading into Atlanta: This is looking like a mismatch this week. Atlanta’s motto of speed on D does not come without its flaws. Godert and Ertz should feast on the undersize linebackers of Atlanta, and Alshon should be too strong for Desmond Trufant (if that’s who they put on him). Furthermore, the Falcons will have to respect the speed of Jackson after his week one performance opening up the seams for Agholor; I expect him to bounce back big this, being a key target on third down.

Outlook for Next Week: A+

O-Line:

Both lines had a lot to do for the slow start to last Sunday’s game; however, they picked it up significantly in the second half. The interior of the o-line, Kelce, Seumalo, and the freak of nature that is Brandon Brooks created gaping holes up the middle that Sanders, Howard, and Sproles took significant advantage of. As for the tackles they had a great day in the office. The only worry about the o-line is health.

Heading to Atlanta:

The O-line has to be dominant! This is where the game is won. Duce Staley and Jeff Stoutland need to be able to run the ball up the middle, so expect Jordan Howard to be featured this week. Look at the opposing side, Grady Jarret is a force; Kelsey should be doubling him the whole game. As for the Atlanta’s DEs, they have some talent in Tak Mckinley and Vic Beasly, but I trust Lane and JP to handle them.

Outlook for Next Week: B+

Due to Deshaun Jackson being a homerun threat every play, he and the running game should be symbiotic. Last week, was a prime example of this relationship. At halftime Doug Peterson made his first visible adjustment and started to pound the ball against Washington; surprisingly, it was Sanders and Sproles, not Howard, which set up a touchdown to Alshon Jeffery. Nevertheless, that was not all it set up, Desean Jackson caught another 50+ yard touchdown on third down, and this time, it was the run game/quicking passing game that set it up.

Although Howard was used the least, he was by far the most effective RB on Sunday. He is going to play the LeGarrette Blunt role for this team, winding the clock out in the 4th quarter, while Sanders is going to be a more explosive edge runner.

Heading to Atlanta:

I sound like a broken record, but Atlanta’s defense is known for its speed. Nonetheless, the Eagles should be able to pound them up the middle. Already mentioned, Howard will be the go-to guy in the run game (pick him up in fantasy if you can), with Sanders being the changeup. I foresee Darren Sproles struggling, Deion Jones and their linebackers are fast enough and fluid enough to keep up with Darren. In the end, for Sunday it’s all gonna ride and die with Jordan Howard and the interior o-line to make a long night for that Falcons D-line.

Outlook for Next Week: B

Sunday night’s game is going to be a shootout, the Eagles secondary does not match up with the Julio Jones, Calvin Riddley, and Mohamad Sanu, but the same can be said for the Falcon’s secondary. The three keys for the offense, time of possession, no turnovers (this is a key every week), and pound the ball early/often. If these three things happen, we should be celebrating with a win in Cris Collinsworth's agony.

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Featured photo from Jack Kurzenknabe

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• Desean Jackson
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• Carson Wentz