Rivalry often a battle of survival
Eagles-Washington matchup has a history of nasty play, games
PHILADELPHIA — No NFC East rival leaves more collateral damage when it drops in to play the Eagles than the Washington Commanders, who visit Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday (1 p.m., Fox, WIP 94.1-FM).
The latest casualty was Dallas Goedert, who was having a solid 2022 season when he suffered a shoulder injury while being slammed to the ground by an illegal face mask on linebacker Jamin Davis. Goedert then was pancaked by 6-6, 320-pound defensive tackle John Ridgeway. Davis was fined $10,600 for the face mask that wasn’t called.
Healthy again, Goedert recalled the low point compounded by a setback to the Commanders that interrupted the Eagles’ 8-0 start.
“That wasn’t much fun,” Goedert said. “Going out on a loss and having to sit out five weeks after it wasn’t fun. Obviously, we turned the ball over way too much in that game. It will be a good game against this week. I’m excited to get back out there.”
The Eagles (3-0) are off to another undefeated start due largely to the NFL’s top-rated run game stoked by the offensive line and running back D’Andre Swift, who entered the weekend trailing only Christian McCaffrey in NFL rushing circles.
“He’s a big-time playmaker,” Jalen Hurts said. “He’s electric with the ball in the hands and that’s something I’ve been able to witness since his days at Georgia. He’s been who he’s always been and he’s doing that for us now.”
With Swift and Hurts running the ball, the latter in the celebrated Tush Push, 60% of the Eagles’ first downs have come on the ground
this season, far and away tops in the league where the average is just 37%.
The Eagles have the edge up front with the offensive line and at the skills positions starting with Hurts.
The Commanders (2-1) are ninepoint underdogs with quarterback Sam Howell, who has taken a league-leading 19 sacks and thrown five interceptions, second overall.
That said, the Eagles not only are hoping to collect another win but with 13 games remaining, to escape unscathed and healthy. The latter is easier said than done considering the history with Washington.
An Eagles-Commanders game is as much about survival as a Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens affair.
The tackle on Goedert was savage enough to represent another ugly chapter in the rivalry with some outrageous events.
“That game happened so fast, so I doubt that he meant to grab my facemask and things like that,” Goedert said. “It’s just a game. I think there’s a 100% injury rate in this league. You can’t be scared but you’ve always got to be ready for whatever happens.”
Though the names and seasons have changed, the Eagles and Commanders would be wise to keep their heads on a swivel.
During the 2021 season, Goedert threw a rolling block that knocked Washington defensive tackle Daniel Wise out for the season with a knee injury. That looked anything but intentional and it got the attention of Washington head coach Ron Rivera.
During the Doug Pederson coaching era former Eagles running back-returner Darren Sproles was the victim of a nasty shot before a punt reached him. It was Deshazor Everett who blasted the defenseless Sproles at the Linc, giving him a concussion. Eagles veterans including Zach Ertz called it an “Obvious cheap shot.” A shoving match ensued.
Then there was the Chip Kelly coaching era when Nick Foles was intercepted, then blindsided by defensive tackle Chris Baker on the return. Baker was ejected after a smackdown with Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters, who was fined. Baker would later say “I didn’t know it was illegal to block a quarterback on an interception.”
Foles survived the wreck, and the Eagles won the game, also at the Linc. Don’t forget the infamous “Body-Bag Game” on Nov. 12, 1990 at Veterans Stadium. The Eagles sent nine Washington players to the training room that Monday night, including a gaggle of quarterbacks. Celebrated kick returner Brian Mitchell finished the game at quarterback for the visitors.
To get to where the Eagles want to go they’re going to need all their key players including Goedert, who has excelled as a blocker so far. It’s a protect-yourself-at-alltimes kind of game.
“It wasn’t fun,” Goedert said of the shoulder injury. “I didn’t enjoy it. But if it happens, it happens. You’re never worried about it. You’re never thinking about that. Hope to avoid that at all costs.”