Former NFL defensive end Chris Long has his share of experience within the NFC East after playing two seasons with the Eagles before retiring, and he took time to preview Thursday’s divisional matchup between the Giants and Washington on the latest Upon Further Review podcast with Zach Brook.
Both New York and Washington will be looking to avoid opening the season with a two-game losing streak, and with how tight the division likely will be this season, Thursday’s matchup is already a pivotal one. But Long is expecting a statement win from Washington at home.
“I’m expecting a bounceback from Washington,” Long said. “I don’t think they have far to bounce back. I think the defensive line is gonna be pissed off…they’re gonna really want to get out there and eat. Daniel Jones is gonna loom like a turnover machine. Everyone is gonna be going for that football.”
Washington’s typically stingy defense didn’t look like itself last weekend, when it allowed 424 yards of total offense to the Chargers in Week 1. The Giants, in desperate need of some optimism on the offensive end, could use a similar breakout in the worst way, but Long anticipates Washington and its defensive line getting back on track, as long as Montez Sweat and Chase Young play closer to their proven ability, which very well could be the case against Big Blue’s shaky offensive line.
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“I think Washington is a little more evenly distributed talent wise on the defensive line than people make it seem,” Long said. “I like [Montez] Sweat and Chase Young a hell of a lot, but I don’t see one guy being the absolute dominant guy over there.
they play off each other…but you need at least one guy winning their one-on-ones.”
While Long expects Washington to correct its course early in the season, he sees the Giants sliding further back into uncertainty, as their rebuild continues to show cracks, particularly at the quarterback position after Daniel Jones’ fumbling woes persisted in Week 1. With Washington’s defense up next, Long doesn’t think it will get any easier for Jones and the Giants.
“You can feel this dark cloud looming over that team,” Long said. “If you’re supposed to be ascending in your first couple years of the program, and there’s this anchor pulling you down a bit, whether it’s Joe or Daniel or they’ve been missing on some guys…that can be a very doom and gloom feeling. I think the vibe in Washington is much more exciting, and I think they’re the better team top to bottom, so I think Washington will get the win.”
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