Monday Night Mania
Morale feels the lowest it has been in many years with this Eagles team. In another matchup that has fans dreading gameday, the Eagles look to rally back against the Seattle Seahawks. Very little hope remains for this tattered team. Players seem unmotivated, struggles with coaching are evident, the offensive line is in pieces, and the franchise QB looks lost. These issues are staring the Eagles in the face and will haunt them until significant changes are made. It will take a colossal effort to best the Seahawks in primetime this week. I won’t lie. It looks grim. The schedule for the Eagles will only get worse from here. Despite the unshakable feeling of impending doom, there is a way for the Eagles to be the better bird on Monday night. A few simple tweaks could have this team rolling again. Will they happen? Deep down, we all know the true answer to that, but I digress. Let’s get to the preview.
Eagles Defensive Duties
The Eagles are fresh off another disappointing loss as they look to host the 7-3 Seahawks. The Seahawks come to town with MVP candidate QB Russell Wilson and a talented slew of offensive pieces. Receivers D.K. Metcalf, who was passed on for probable-bust JJAW, and Tyler Lockett matchup with the Eagles defense. Surprisingly, this defense has only let up 209 yards per game through the air. This Eagles team, while a tremendous headache, has been much improved defensively compared to last season. Jim Schwartz has had many hit or miss games and will need to call a stellar match to keep the Eagles in this one. Big games from Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox are also necessary to contain one of the NFL’s best receiving duos. Metcalf and Locket have totaled 115 catches, 1610 yards, and 17 touchdowns through 10 games.
The linebackers will also need to come up big and help shut down the run game. Alex Singleton headlines a lackluster LB core this season. His emergence as a needed talent has been comforting. The defensive line will also need to get to Wilson quickly. It isn’t enough to pressure Russ, as his numbers only increase when facing heavy pressure. The Eagles need to get to him quickly and limit his time to throw. He is one of the best at extending plays. Overall, this is likely the most potent offense the Eagles have played all season. It will take a collective effort from all 11 players on the field to keep this one close. However, it won’t be the defense that loses this game.
Eagles Offensive Obstacles
The Eagles defense has been up and down all season, but one thing has been consistent this year—terrible offensive games. Missed throws, dropped passes, turnstile offensive linemen. Those are just a few of the hair-pulling factors being an Eagles fan has garnered this season. The offense needs a spark to win this game, and that won’t come from 3rd and 7 read options. Feeding Miles Sanders is a necessity in this game. The Seahawks defense has allowed just 91.2 rushing yards per game, but feeding the young star back could easily overwhelm a historically bad defense. In the air is a different story. No matter how you feel about Carson Wentz, it’s clear he is struggling heavily this year. Whatever his issues may be, he needs to step up this game.
Wentz needs to prioritize ball security. His throws have to be more precise. He’s had too many interceptions off of poor decisions this year. While better playcalling would help guide Wentz, it still ultimately falls on him to make the plays. Moving around in the pocket and scrambling are some of the better qualities Wentz has revealed in his career. To Wentz’s credit, his offensive line has been awful. With 40 sacks in 10 games, Carson Wentz is under constant pressure. This game will lie in his hands. If he plays poorly, the Eagles will have no chance. However, if Wentz shows the city what he can do, the Eagles will be closer to a victory. This is a terrible defense the Eagles are playing. Any other year they’d have a chance to pull this one off. Unless the play calling is spectacular, the line holds strong, and Wentz shakes off his demons, this will end the same way most games this season have.
Deeper Issues
Eagles fans have fought and debated the root of the issues that plague the Eagles offense. There is a significant issue with this team. The play calling has been downright atrocious. Rookie speedster Jalen Reagor specializes in stretching the field and has run just 7 fly routes this year. Travis Fulgham put up top 5 WR numbers for 4 weeks and hasn’t eclipsed 7 targets each of the last 3 games. Miles Sanders is 3rd in the entire NFL for yards per carry, at 5.7, and is shut down with 2 carries in the whole second half last weekend. Players are not being utilized properly, and it is damaging this football team.
Prediction
This will probably be an ugly Monday night for most fans. No, Jalen Hurts isn’t the answer if the Birds get blown out. Yes, Carson Wentz deserves a chunk of the blame. Yes, the coach won us a Super Bowl, but times are changing. Whatever narrative you fight tooth and nail for, we all want the Eagles to play up to their potential. The Seahawks have bested the Birds in 6 straight matchups. Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson have both never beaten Seattle. The last Eagles QB to beat the Seahawks was Donovan McNabb. He will likely still hold that honor following Monday night’s game. Game after game, it gets harder to watch this team look foolish on television. This is the beginning of a long string of pain, and I see the Eagles losing this one 38-17.
