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Eagles' Zach Ertz loves playing the Redskins, with good reason | Early Birds

Zach Ertz's hot start to the season should continue against a Washington defense that has allowed the tight end to be the leading receiver in four of five games this year.

Eagles tight end Zach Ertz catches the football over Los Angeles Chargers inside linebacker Jatavis Brown during the third quarter on Sunday.
Eagles tight end Zach Ertz catches the football over Los Angeles Chargers inside linebacker Jatavis Brown during the third quarter on Sunday.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

Good morning, Eagles fans. Are you ready for some football? The Eagles are on Monday Night Football against Washington and enter the game with the NFL's best record. This is Early Birds, the newsletter breaking down the Eagles. It's free to sign up here to receive in your inbox every Monday and Friday. I want to know what you think, what we should add, and what you want to read, so send me feedback by email or on Twitter @ZBerm. Thank you for reading.

— Zach Berman

Don’t expect TE Zach Ertz to slow down against Washington

Zach Ertz has been the Eagles' No. 1 receiving option and one of the NFL's top tight ends this season, and you can expect it to continue Monday against Washington. Ertz caught all eight of his targets for 93 yards in the season opener against Washington. The matchup didn't get more difficult since then.

The tight end has been the leading receiver for the Redskins' opponents in four of five games this season. The Eagles like to feature Ertz — his 53 targets lead the team — and Carson Wentz will look for him against this defense. Monday should be a big game for the Eagles passing offense —  Washington is missing cornerback Josh Norman, and two other starters in the secondary are questionable. The Eagles could try to threaten the Redskins on the perimeter because of Norman's absence, but there will still be room for Ertz.

Plus, Ertz's best games usually come against Washington. He has five career games with at least 100 yards, and three came against Washington. Three of his four 10-plus-reception games came against them, too. He has more catches and yards against them than any opponent, although he's never found the end zone in any of those nine games.

"I just like going against the Redskins, I guess," Ertz said. "The opportunities have been there. It's a fun environment. That's probably the one team that's the most fun to play against, in my opinion, just because there's so many battles, even though we've lost some of them. They're all very close games. And the fans are so close to one another that they really hate us, and we really don't like them. I've had my number called, I've made the most of my opportunities, and I'm excited about this week."

Having covered Ertz for his entire NFL career, I'm not surprised by the way he's playing. He's always had the talent, he's built to play the position, he puts in the works, he cares, and he's an intelligent player. The issues have been injuries and changes at quarterback, and he's been healthy this year while benefiting from a growing rapport with Wentz. What I've learned more about this year is how Ertz's mental approach has changed. He's less affected by outside criticism and has a far stronger sense of self.

What you need to know about the Eagles

  1. The Eagles thought Carson Wentz was going to be good, but this early in his career? It's only six games into the year, and Wentz is already in MVP conversations. Doug Pederson and Wentz meet every Thursday this year, as Les Bowen writes.

  2. Wentz still needs protection, and Washington's defensive scheme will present challenges for the Eagles' offensive line, Bowen writes. The offensive lineman that Mike Sielski says will be most important is Lane Johnson. (For more on Johnson, read the Q+A below.)

  3. Eagles CB Ronald Darby is questionable, although he's not expected to play. He's been limited all week. Jeff McLane wrote about the Eagles' young cornerbacks, including Darby and Sidney Jones.

  4. You can expect Jordan Hicks to play. He's listed as questionable, but he said he'll be on the field.

  5. Speaking of linebackers, are you noticing Nigel Bradham? He'll wonder what took you so long.

  6. One of the keys for the Eagles' defense has been tackling while playing off coverage, Paul Domowitch writes.

  7. Malcolm Jenkins was in New York on Tuesday meeting with owners. He was back at practice Thursday. Bob Ford wrote about Jenkins balancing life and football.

  8. Even if Alshon Jeffery doesn't have eye-popping statistics, Domo says the Eagles made the right decision signing Jeffery over Washington's Terrelle Pryor.

  9. Pryor is not the lead receiver on Washington this season. It's actually running back Chris Thompson, who will command the attention of the Eagles' defense, Bowen writes.

  10. Marcus Hayes looked into why the backups are playing well for the Eagles this year.

  11. Three beat writers picked the Eagles. One picked Washington. More in the staff predictions.

  12. Listen to the latest Birds' Eye View podcast.

3 Questions With | Tackle Lane Johnson

Zach Berman: You were on the team in 2014 when the Eagles last started 5-1, and you didn't make the playoffs. What's different about this year's team?

Lane Johnson: "I just see a lot of hungry guys. Even the guys we brought in. Start on the D-line, you've got Tim Jernigan, who's … a breakout guy here. Patrick Robinson was under-the-radar, he's playing great. Even on our offense. LeGarrette [Blount], he doesn't get enough credit. He led the league in touchdowns last year, didn't get a contract. I just see a lot of hungry guys anxious to prove themselves. And it shows up every game."

Zach Berman: Zach Ertz said a difference between this year's team and last year's team is having you at right tackle. How significant is that?

Lane Johnson: "I'm just humbled to be here. All last year, ever since I left the building, I had a long time to think. When I got back on the field, I was going to make it count. I was going to make my opponents remember who I am. So whenever you game-plan the Eagles, you better know who I am. That's been my whole mentality."

Zach Berman: You've had stretches of your career when you've played especially well. How does the current stretch compare?

Lane Johnson: "I think I'm probably the best version of myself, in terms of strength. I'm bigger than I have been, I think I use my hands more effectively. And as far as my temperament, I try to play angry. I know what the stigma [about the suspensions] is about my name and my story. I know the idea that runs through people's heads when they think of me. I just hope they do some re-evaluating over the next part of my career."

Elsewhere in the NFL

  1. Washington's offense looks different this season than you might expect. [Washington Post]

  2. Is the season over for the 1-6 Giants? [New York Daily News]

  3. Ezekiel Elliott wasn't suspended. Elliott starred in the Cowboys' win over the 49ers. [Dallas Morning News]

  4. The 49ers are next week's opponent. Will the Eagles need to worry about rookie linebacker Reuben Foster? [Sacramento Bee]

  5. The Arizona Cardinals lost quarterback Carson Palmer to injury. [Arizona Republic]

From the mailbag

This question has come up a few times in recent weeks. Alshon Jeffery hasn't put up the big numbers I expected when the Eagles signed him. He hasn't been bad (he's on pace for 64 catches, 845 yards, five touchdowns), but he hasn't been a Pro Bowl-caliber wide receiver. The Eagles want to keep spreading the ball around, but Jeffery will have a big game at some point. With Washington's depleted secondary, he could have a good game on Monday. I still think Zach Ertz will be the top target, although I still think Jeffery finds his way to 1,000 yards this season.

Yes, Wendell Smallwood should be the primary third-down running back while mixing in on other downs. He missed two games, but he practiced this week and is expected to play. The Eagles need better blocking from the running backs. Smallwood will get the chance to do it. He can also catch out of the backfield. Look for him to have a big role in the game.

Patrick Robinson has played well enough to earn a contract extension, but I can't see the Eagles investing in a cornerback who will be 31 next season when they have Sidney Jones, Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, and Rasul Douglas. Unless Jones doesn't fully recover or the Eagles trade one of those cornerbacks, I think they stick to that group. It wouldn't surprise me if Mills becomes their slot cornerback next season.