Three Things to Watch in the Eagles’ Opener Against the Football Team
The NFL is back!
The first Sunday of the NFL season is upon us. For Eagles’ fans, that means Eagles Twitter rants after a couple of false starts. Luckily, the Eagles play the Football team today; thus, most pundits expect them to win, but it’s called any given Sunday for a reason.
Here are three things to watch in the Eagles’ season opener.
1. Jalen Reagor and JJAW
Besides perhaps the Secondary, the Eagles have invested this offseason in improving the Wide Receiver room and moreover, have brought young blood to the position. Although Quez Watkins (IR) and John Hightower will see few to no snaps, Jalen Reagor and JJ Arcega-Whiteside will have an opportunity to demonstrate why they belong in the NFL. For Jalen, he posses three traits the Eagles are desperate for, youth, speed, and elusiveness. Expect Doug Pederson to try to get him the ball in space as well as deep, if he truly is one-hundred percent. As for JJAW, after a more than disappointing rookie season, it is a make-or-break year for him. Fortunately, besides an injured Alshon Jeffery, he is the sole large-framed receiver on the roster. Thus, Whiteside, disregarding the TEs, is the go-to-guy in the red-zone and should be a chain-mover. Hopefully, he has improved his route-running in the offseason.
Side Note: The Eagles must attack and burn Ronald Darby.
2. The Secondary
As previously mentioned, the Eagles have placed most of the resources in the Secondary this offseason. With the signing of Darius Slay and Nickell Robey-Coleman, the moving of Jalen Mills to his natural position of safety, and the end of the disappointing Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas stint in Philadelphia, the Eagles defense looks to make the transition from decent to elite. However, although the Football Team’s receiver room, on paper, does not look that formidable, the Eagles should not take them lightly. Terry McLauren can change the game in one play and Steven Sims Jr, coming into his second year, makes the first defender miss. Nevertheless, if the secondary stays disciplined, the Eagles defense will contain the Football Team’s offense.
Side Note: Hopefully, Jim Schwartz plays more press this season.
3. Matt Pryor, Jason Peters, and the Pass Protection in General
The Eagles offensive line has already bit the injury bug with Lane Johnson questionable and Bradon Brooks and Andre Dillard most likely out for the season. The focus moves solely on Jason Peters and Matt Pryor. JP cannot, and I repeat cannot stunt drives by false start penalties. The value of a second and 5 compared to second and 10 is enormous. As for Pryor, after a decent season last year, filling in for Brandon Brooks, I would like to see the same level of play or higher over a larger body of work.
In terms of the pass protection in general, if the Eagles want to become more of a deep-passing team, they initially must establish the quicking-passing game to set up the long-ball. Therefore, the receivers need to get open in a hurry, and Wentz must find his targets on time. Essentially, the wide receivers also play a significant role in pass protection. Furthermore, the offensive line needs to protect him for long enough that the deep-threats can get open.
Final Thoughts
In the last few seasons, the Eagles have gotten themselves into holes by having poor Septembers. A dominant win today could propel them to that solid start and season in general if (and I hate to say this) the season finishes.
Follow us on Twitter @flyphillyfly2
Featured photo from Casey Murphy