Last Updated on October 22, 2009 12:20 am by Anthony Rome
Eagles at Skins Preview
Washington, D.C. – Questionable play calling may have contributed to a sloppy defeat for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Washington Redskins are hoping a new decision-maker can help them turn their season around.
Coming off a stunning loss, the Eagles may opt for a more balanced offensive approach Monday night when they visit the regrouping Redskins, who could undergo a more significant change under new play-caller Sherm Lewis.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Eagles -7 point spread favorites (View NFL odds) for Monday’s game (Game Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 82% of bets for this game have been placed on the Eagles -7 (View NFL bet percentages).
Philadelphia (3-2) was the heavy favorite to win its third consecutive game against a struggling opponent last week, but it lost 13-9 to an Oakland team that had been outscored 96-16 over its previous three games.
"It’s a great lesson to learn that no team is as good as you think in this league and no team is as bad as you think in this league," coach Andy Reid said. "It’s the National Football League and you better be ready every week to play and execute as coaches and players and it starts with me."
Despite his team’s success on the ground, Reid opted to call 54 passing plays and only 12 running ones, excluding two scrambles by quarterback Donovan McNabb that really were pass plays.
Philadelphia also missed two field goals, wasted timeouts and struggled tackling and blocking, allowing McNabb to get sacked six times – double the team’s total from its first four games.
"We’re a much better football team," said McNabb, who completed 22 of 46 passes for 269 yards.
The Eagles haven’t relied heavily on the running game since gaining 185 yards with a touchdown on 32 attempts in a season-opening win at Carolina. In their last four games, they’ve averaged 78.8 rushing yards per game while totaling 84 carries.
Philadelphia’s 116 rushes rank among the fewest in the NFL, and two-time Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook has managed just 184 yards and one touchdown on 38 total carries.
While the Eagles could shake things up this week, the Redskins (2-4) already have. They alleviated coach Jim Zorn of his play-calling duties in favor of Lewis, hoping to spark to their sluggish offense.
Lewis was lured out of retirement two weeks ago to take a job as a consultant. He spent 22 years as an assistant before retiring following the 2004 season.
The move, which might signal the nearing end of Zorn’s tenure in Washington, came immediately following the Redskins’ 14-6 home loss to previously winless Kansas City last Sunday.
The Redskins are averaging 13.2 points, fourth-fewest in the league. They’ve failed to get into the end zone in two of their three games at FedEx Field.
"The reason I can comply with this is simply because of the lack of scoring," Zorn said. "I want to win, too. If this has to be done this week, if this is going to be the key, I’m certainly willing to give it a try. Because we’re 2-4 and to not score in the last few weeks, the way we have not scored, is very frustrating.
"Sometimes we have to do things that are uncomfortable. I’m conscious of what’s going on. I’m not naive about what’s going on, and yet I have to just hold back on any feelings and make the decisions."
Zorn appears to have made one decision on his own, naming Jason Campbell the starting quarterback against the Eagles after benching him against the Chiefs.
Campbell went 9 for 16 for a season-low 89 yards with an interception last week before being replaced by Todd Collins. The backup didn’t look any better, going 6 for 14 for 75 yards in his first game since 2007.
Campbell, the 25th overall selection in the 2005 draft, was nearly replaced by the Redskins’ front office during the offseason, and he appears to be aware of the lack of faith.
"I’ve been on a shorter leash since March," Campbell said.
The Eagles are looking to take advantage of Campbell and the sputtering offense after acquiring Will Witherspoon from St. Louis on Tuesday in exchange for rookie receiver Brandon Gibson and a fifth-round pick in 2010.
An eight-year veteran who spent his first four seasons with Carolina, Witherspoon was the Rams’ starter at the weakside spot and had 36 tackles and one forced fumble this season.
"He’s a three-down linebacker, and he can play both the MIKE position and the WIL linebacker position," Reid said of Witherspoon, who will play the middle. "He’s very good at both of them. He’s a good cover linebacker. He has the flexibility to cover tight ends and running backs and that type of thing, which is a plus."
Philadelphia’s defense struggled to contain Oakland’s tight end last week. Zach Miller had six catches for a career-high 139 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter on which he broke several tackles.
The Eagles dropped both meetings with the Redskins last season, falling 10-3 at FedEx Field on Dec. 21 after winning seven of their previous eight in Washington.
Posted: 10/22/09 12:22AM ET