The Eagles are entering an extremely important stretch of games as they sit 5-5 on the season. Before going against bottom of the league teams, and the Cowboys, they face one of the MVP front runners this coming Sunday in Russell Wilson.
Seattle is 8-2 this season, having lost to the Baltimore Ravens and the New Orleans Saints. Before we dive into the keys of this game, let's take a look at their offseason moves and where they rank this season.
Key additions:
Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (second-round draft pick), Defensive end Ziggy Ansah (free agency – Lions), Wide receiver Josh Gordon (waiver claim - Patriots), Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (trade - Texans), Safety Quandre Diggs (trade - Lions)
Key departures:
Safety Earl Thomas (free agency – Ravens), Running back Mike Davis (free agency – Bears), Guard J.R. Sweezy (free agency – Cardinals), Cornerback Justin Coleman (free agency – Lions), Defensive end Frank Clark (trade – Chiefs), Defensive end Barkevious Mingo (trade - Texans)
2019 Ranks:
Points per game: 7th (27.5)
Yards per game: 4th (389.1)
Passing yards per game: 10th (255.9)
Rushing yards per game: 6th (133.2)
Points allowed per game: 23rd (25.4)
Yards allowed per game: 24th (372.9)
Passing yards allowed per game: 28th (271.8)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 12th (101.1)
As you can see, the Seahawks are a completely one-sided team. What was once a defense heavy team has now become Russell Wilson's offensive juggernaut. Speaking of Wilson, he has been absolutely masterful this season and could be on his way to his first MVP award.
MVP?
The case for MVP seems to be between two quarterbacks - Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson. The latter has already beaten the Seahawks 30-16. Wilson did his part that game, although he did throw his first interception on the season. Ah, I failed to mention that the interception brought his TD/INT ratio to 15/1 at that point of the season.
Really bad, right?
So far this year he leads the league with 23 passing touchdowns while only throwing two interceptions. He has added 256 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns. He leads the league in passer rating and is first in combined passing and rushing touchdowns (26).
It has been almost impossible to stop him this season.
In his career against the Eagles, he is 3-0 with 6 passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. He has never had many rushing yards against them, with 48 being his most in his first game, but his mobility has enabled him to extend drives. His career 4.08 yards per carry has been killer to the Eagles and his lack of turnovers highlight his exceptional decision making capability.
Wilson is not invincible, however. His two losses were his only two games under a 65% completion rate, although his first loss was a 64% 400+ yard performance. Wilson's right tackle has allowed the second most pressure among 133 qualified offensive linemen this season, according to ProFootballFocus. His offensive line is in shambles and the Eagles' defensive line needs to take advantage, although he has a passer rating of 108.7 under pressure.
If this newly healthy Eagles defense can continue the trend of the below tweet, they can give Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense a chance to put up points against a vulnerable secondary.
https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1197552752076869632?s=20
Read up on some history and predictions on the next page!
Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
History
As you saw on the previous page, the Eagles have never beaten Russell Wilson. The two teams have faced each other 16 teams in the regular season and zero times in the postseason. The Seahawks lead the series 9-7 (it was 7-6 in favor of the Eagles until Wilson's arrival).
Predictions
Although the Eagles have an extremely easy December schedule coming up (four teams combined to have an 11-29 record and they face the Giants twice), this is a must win. A victory brings their record to 6-5 and with the Cowboys facing the Patriots, they could very well be tied for first (Cowboys own tiebreaker) in the NFC East.
I expect this game to be a shootout and for the Eagles offense to play with their backs against the wall. Wentz comes out and shows why Eagles fans should place their faith back in him and the team's cohesiveness improves as they march to an important December. Eagles win 41-35.
Stat line predictions:
Wentz: 28/38 315 yards 4 touchdowns 1 interception
Sanders: 13 rushes 55 yards 1 touchdown, 4 receptions 50 yards 1 tocuhdown
Ajayi: 8 rushes 40 yards
Howard (if he plays): 10 rushes 44 yards
Arcega-Whiteside: 8 catches 90 yards 2 touchdowns
Ertz: 5 catches 60 yards
Goedert: 4 catches 30 yards 1 touchdown
Graham: Sack
Avery: Sack
Cox: forced fumble
Eagles secondary: oof
Last week's stat predictions (with actual stats in parenthesis):
Wentz: 18/23 200 yards 2 touchdowns (20/40 214 yards 1 touchdown)
Howard: 16 rushes 71 yards 1 touchdown (didn't play)
Sanders: 12 rushes 56 yards 1 touchdown (11 rushes 38 yards)
Elliot: 2 FG over 50 yards (1 FG - 42 yards)
Arcega-Whiteside: 5 catches 60 yards 1 touchdown (1 catch 29 yards)
Ertz: 4 catches 50 yards 1 touchdown (9 catches 94 yards)
Avery: 1 sack (no)
Graham: Strip sack (no)
Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
