The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins are little over 24 hours from kicking off the 2019 NFL regular season at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles enter the game with Super Bowl aspirations and as favorites to win the NFC East.
DeSean Jackson returns to the place where it all started and Carson Wentz will look to cement his status as the face of the franchise and one of the top signal-callers in the NFL.
With the Eagles and Redskins set for battle, here are seven matchups to watch:
Carson Wentz vs. Montae Nicholson-Landon Collins
Collins and Nicholson are both strong safeties but one will be forced to play free safety for the Redskins and that comes with the responsibility of preventing a huge deep ball from Carson Wentz to DeSean Jackson. Collins is a liability at times in the passing game and you can expect Mike Groh and the Eagles to search early and often for matchups involving him. Nicholson is the better cover guy of the two and will be called upon early to cover either Zach Ertz or Dallas Goedert.
TE Vernon Davis vs. Eagles S Malcolm Jenkins
Jordan Reed is expected to miss the matchup with concussion symptoms, so that means that Malcolm Jenkins will deal with the veteran, Vernon Davis. Jenkins has been selected to three Pro-Bowls, is a former cornerback and the heart of the Eagles secondary.
Ryan Kerrigan, Ryan Anderson and Montez Sweat vs. Eagles Jason Peters and Lane Johnson
Kerrigan is no stranger to matchups against the Eagles but Anderson and Sweat are relative newcomers to the rivalry. Kerrigan is an edge rush demon and will try to attack Johnson from the onset after the Eagles right tackle missed the entire preseason with a knee injury. Sweat is athletic and powerful and could cause problems for the veteran Peters.
Redskins CB’s Josh Norman and Quinton Dunbar vs. Eagles WRs Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson
Jackson loves the deep ball, while Norman and Dunbar are both susceptible to giving up huge plays in the passing game. Jackson’s speed and playmaking ability will give Dunbar problems, while Norman is expected to shadow Alshon Jeffery.
Redskins Offensive Line vs. Eagles Defensive Line
With no Trent Williams for the foreseeable future, the Redskins will look to Donald Penn to carry the load at left tackle. The Eagles return Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and added Malik Jackson in free agency.
Derrius Guice vs. Nigel Bradham
Guice is roaring to prove himself after a rookie season on injured reserve after he suffered a torn ACL. Guice is powerful, athletic and can be a handful when he starts to run downhill. Bradham has missed most of the preseason after recovering from an injury and it’ll be interesting to see how he fares in one on one matchups with the former LSU star.
Terry McLaurin and Kelvin Harmon vs. Ronald Darby, Avonte Maddox
McLaurin will start at wide receiver for the Redskins and will enter the contest with confidence while facing an Eagles secondary that has been criticized at times for giving up the big play. Ronald Darby has looked sharp since returning from a torn ACL, while Maddox can play all over the field and should play a huge role in limiting Harmon when he’s in the slot.
