Event of the Day: Philadelphia Eagles versus Washington Redskins
Our event of the day is the all-NFC East clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins in the NFL at Lincoln Financial Field. The two sides currently reside third and second in the NFC East respectively, with both looking to mount a late push for a playoff place. The reigning Superbowl champions have failed to rediscover the form that saw them lose just three times last season and currently have a losing record this term of 5-6. Meanwhile, their NFC East rivals the Washington Redskins have also struggled this year and go into this Monday night’s fixture on the back of a two-game losing streak. Unfortunately for Eagles fans, there doesn’t appear to be a Super Bowl repeat on the horizon this season. Despite welcoming Carson Wentz back into the fold following a lengthy lay-off through injury, they have underperformed on offence, scoring an average of just 20.1 points per game, ranking 23rd in the league in that category. It was their rough, hard-hitting defence that carried the Eagles through a tricky post-season schedule last term, however they have been unable to convincingly defend against the pass during this campaign. Only four teams in the league concede more passing yards than the Eagles, who will need a miracle if they are to reach the lofty heights of last year once more.
Furthermore, only the Cleveland Browns have forced more fumbles this year than the Redskins, meaning the Eagles’ offensive brigade will have to take greater care of the ball, after already coughing the ball up nine times this season. The Redskins have been disappointing on offence this term, with only five teams producing fewer yards on that side of the ball than Washington. They have been faced with severe adversity in recent weeks after franchise quarterback Alex Smith suffered a gruesome leg break in a loss against the Texans a fortnight ago. As a result, it will take a monumental effort from back-up quarterback Colt McCoy and the rest of his teammates if the Redskins are to win their first Super Bowl since 1991. The eight-year pro has an array of weapons on offence to choose from including one of the best tight end pairings in the league in Vernon Davis and Jordan Reid, and one of the great running backs in Adrian Peterson. He will need his veterans to put in some stellar performances in the final few weeks of the season if they are to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Tonight is a huge divisional game, for two teams that need a win to keep their seasons alive
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA fixture between the Toronto Raptors and the Denver Nuggets at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Something has to give between these two in-form powerhouses, with the Raptors going into this one on a seven-game winning streak, whilst the Nuggets themselves haven’t lost in five. Toronto will hope home advantage will give them the edge in this East versus West Clash; the Raptors have lost just twice this year at the Scotiabank Arena. In the EFL Championship, two of the league’s highest-scoring sides go head to head as West Bromwich Albion host out-of-form Brentford, who have won just once in their last thirteen games. Elsewhere, the first day of the third Test between Pakistan and New Zealand will get underway at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium with the series currently tied 1-1. Finally, in the NHL, the New Jersey Devils face the Atlantic Division leaders, as Tampa Bay Lightning attempt to inflict the Devils’ sixth straight defeat.