When: Sunday, December 13, 1 PM
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
How: — FOX
The Eagles return to Lincoln Financial Field, trying to stop a three-game slide. The Birds are still searching for answers offensively, while the defense is coming off a performance reminiscent of earlier in the year. The team is not panicked about solving their issues, but I get the sense from players that it's urgent. They need a win, and they need one in front of the Philly fans at home.
This is the first meeting with the Raiders since 2021, a game played in Las Vegas during Jalen Hurts’ first season as the full-time starter. Back then, the Raiders were settling into their new stadium off the Vegas Strip, and the Eagles were still figuring out their identity.
In 2017, after Nick Foles struggled in the freezing cold on Christmas night against these same Raiders, there were fans who wanted Nate Sudfeld to start the playoffs. This week, before another Raiders visit, the chatter has shifted to Tanner McKee replacing Jalen Hurts. Different names, different years, but boy, does the phrase the more things change, the more they stay the same ring true.
The Eagles have added two Super Bowl banners that hang inside the Linc since that frigid Christmas day, and a team built to win another.
This matchup closes out back-to-back AFC West opponents, and it comes on a short week after a long cross-country trip home. There will be a lot of questions answered after the game plays out.
The offense has spent three weeks sputtering despite adding a few new wrinkles Monday night against the Chargers. But there are some encouraging signs.
The Birds added to the scheme by utilizing duo, pony personnel, Jalen Hurts on rollouts, crossers, & flood stretch. It wasn’t going to be a drastic change in one week, but it was an improvement. If not for penalties and drops, they likely would have won that game. Now they need to build on it.
This is a week where they need to get back to what they did well in 2024: Early-down efficiency, a quick passing game that keeps them ahead of the sticks, and a run game that forces defenses to respect Hurts as both a runner and a threat to pull the ball.
A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith should both have plenty of targets to make an impact. The Raiders’ corners are aggressive but susceptible to leverage mistakes, and the Eagles need to take advantage.
Dallas Goedert has a strong matchup inside, especially against a Raiders defense that can be slow to cover tight ends.
As always, the biggest key will be the run game. The Eagles haven’t found consistency, but last week had some very promising moments, including a 52-yard TD burst by Saquon Barkley. They need to run from under center more frequently and start exposing defenses to new looks going forward.
The defense had played a lot of snaps heading into the MNF game, but the 3 days of rest refreshed their legs. They were flying around to the ball, and the QB, posting seven sacks against a hobbled QB and depleted Chargers O-line. This game is another one where they will need to stay disciplined and win the trenches to stop rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. He has not had the season many expected, but he is a dynamic talent who could change the game on any play.
The Eagles' defensive backs will look to contain Kenny Pickett from having any windows to throw to Jack Bech, Tyler Lockett, and Tre Tucker. On paper, this looks like an offense the Eagles will dominate, but there have been times when the team has played down to the competition; they cannot afford to do that and give Vegas any hope. They need to suffocate the receivers and force Pickett to have to wait on throws to allow the pass rush to get through.
The tackles up front must take advantage of an offensive line that can struggle with interior pressure. If Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo win early, the Raiders will be forced into third-and-long situations, where Fangio’s defensive structures and disguises work best.
It has been a tough stretch, and the noise outside the building has grown louder. But coming home on a short week against a non-conference opponent is an opportunity to right the ship and gain confidence. The Eagles don’t need to reinvent anything; they just need to go back to who they are. Opening the playbook and adding some new designs was a great start to showcasing what this offense can be if they execute properly.
A win here doesn’t solve everything, but it stops the slide and gives them a firmer grasp on winning the division, and another week to improve for a deep playoff run.
Prediction: Eagles 26, Raiders 13
Player of the Game: Saquon Barkley. I am looking forward to seeing another explosive play that leads to 6 points. He hasn’t lost a step and is capable of scoring on any carry from any part of the field.
