All of those missed opportunities, disappointing performances, and shock losses have finally caught up with the 3-6-1 Eagles.
For the first time since Week 6, Philadelphia is not in first-place of the miserable NFC East after the Washington Football Team defeated the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.
Monday night’s primetime clash against the Seattle Seahawks (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN) becomes all the more important for the Eagles to hold on to that top perch in the division, though their opponent in Week 12 and their remaining schedule remains the toughest of the bunch in the tightly-packed NFC East.
The 7-3 Seahawks’ visit to Lincoln Financial Field is the first leg of a brutal three-game stretch that follows with meetings against the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, creating the very real possibility that the Eagles could be looking at a 3-9-1 record with three games remaining.
A strong showing Monday night would ease some tension, especially in a grudge match of sorts.
The Seahawks ended the Eagles’ 2019 season in the NFC Wild Card Round that featured Carson Wentz getting knocked out early in the 17-9 loss.
A major shortcoming of last year’s team down the stretch was their lack of offensive production — and it’s only carried into 2020.
Wentz has yet to shake out of a slump that has him well on pace to put together the worst statistical season of his career. Meanwhile, the Eagles’ offense has been as non-threatening as ever, scoring 23 points or fewer in their last four games, including 17 in two-straight.
Under reputational circumstances, such offensive struggles would be a horrendous omen ahead of a matchup with the Seahawks — who have built some of their most successful teams on a stifling defense.
However, Seattle’s unit this year is one of the worst in the NFL, ranking 28th of 32 teams in points allowed. Still, the Seahawks have built a 7-3 start to the 2020 season with an offense that is one of the very best in football, anchored by veteran quarterback Russell Wilson and second-year receiver DK Metcalf — who the Eagles passed up on drafting in favor of JJ Arcega-Whiteside.
Behind that battery, the Seahawks have the No. 5 passing offense in the league with the most touchdowns scored of any team. Metcalf’s 48 receptions for 862 yards and nine touchdowns leads a receiving duo alongside Tyler Lockett (67 catches, 748 yards, 8 TD) that’s one of the most potent in the game.
Needless to say, a difficult night awaits the Eagles’ aerial defense, which is fifth-best in the NFL in yards allowed and third-best in touchdowns yielded.
