Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
TV Schedule: Monday, Sept. 6, 6:55 p.m. ET, ESPN
Stadium: FedEx Field
Weather: Low 59, High 76
Line: Washington (-3.5)
The Philadelphia Eagles will be looking for revenge in 2013 against all of the teams that made them look silly in 2012. The quest for revenge starts in week one against the Washington Redskins. Michael Vick is learning a new offense that looks to be more explosive than the one Andy Reid administered. Chip Kelly has taken over and it looks like Vick might get more of an opportunity to succeed in an offense that looks to fit him. Vick was benched last year and finished the season with just 2,362 yards, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Riley Cooper and DeSean Jackson look to give Vick some viable weapons at the wide receiver position in order to ease the pain of a new offense. LeSean McCoy will be back from injury and looking to make up for the missed time he had in 2012 and could finish with over 1,000 yards like he is capable of.
On the other side of the field, the Redskins look to make another run at the postseason like they did in 2012, finishing 10-6 under Mike Shanahan. Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III may have gotten more publicity than any rookie quarterback — or any rookie for that matter — in recent memory. No one has taken the NFL by storm like RG3 and for good reason. He passed for 3,200 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 815 yards and seven scores. This guy is a star and he is joined by his fellow second-year player and last year’s rookie sensation running back, Alfred Morris. Morris finished the 2012 season with 1,613 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. This guy is a flat-out stud and these two could be one of the best quarterback-running back duos in the league for years to come.
Defensively, the Eagles have been underperforming for years. They allowed the third-most points per game in the NFL last year and ranked toward the bottom of the league in many categories. They should have an improved defense this season, but don’t look for the Eagles to set the world on fire. The Redskins had one of the best rushing defenses a season ago, but had a pretty poor pass defense. DeAngelo Hall has been a fixture of the secondary and will be looked at to help improve the defensive backs.
PREDICTION: Eagles 24, Redskins 34
Related: Washington Preview
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
