Here are six things to know about the Philadelphia Eagles before they play the Seahawks on Monday Night Football this week.
In Week 15, the Seahawks take on the Philadelphia Eagles, who are also on a two-game losing run, with the aim of ending a four-game losing streak. Here are six things to know about the Seahawks’ Week 15 opponent before their matchup on Monday, as Seattle looks to improve their chances of making the playoffs.
Eagles Defense: Attempting to Regain Focus
The 10-3 Eagles had dropped their last two games against the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers going into their game on Monday. After surrendering 36.3 points per game on defense over their previous three games, Philadelphia has been outscored 75-32 in their last two games. In terms of points per game allowed (24.5), the Seahawks defense is ranked No. 27, while the Eagles defense is ranked No. 28 (24.7). Seattle’s attack is tied for 17th in the league in points per game (21.5), thus the team’s ability to score points against Philadelphia’s ailing defense will be crucial to their success.
D’Andre Swift: Hero from Hometown
Led by former Georgia player D’Andre Swift, the Philadelphia Eagles enter Week 15 with an average of 124.5 yards per rush on the ground. The 2020 second-round pick was traded to the Eagles by the Detroit Lions in April. Swift attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and excelled there before moving to Georgia for college. She was born and reared in Philadelphia. After three seasons in Detroit, Swift now has four touchdowns and career highs in rushing yards (822) and carries (178). Swift is a threat as a receiver as well, averaging 4.6 yards per carry with 36 receptions. Seattle can win the game on Monday if they can slow down an important offensive weapon for the Eagles.
A.J. Brown: Principal Armament
After 13 games this season, Eagles fifth-year wide receiver A.J. Brown has already logged his fourth career 1,000-yard season. The Ole Miss alum is one of the league’s most targeted receivers and comes into Monday’s game with seven 100-yard performances on the year. He has 90 receptions for 1,258 yards and seven touchdowns. With 131 targets, Brown is presently tied for sixth place in the league. Brown has been targeted 35 times in his last three games, including 13 in each of his last two outings. Seattle’s first goal on Monday will be to find a method to nullify one of the brightest rising stars in the sport.
DK Metcalf vs. Darius Slay
Darius Slay, a cornerback in his eleventh season, is still one of the most disruptive players in the game. With fifteen passes defensed, he is tied for fourth place in the league. Slay has 57 tackles and two interceptions, including a pick-six, in addition to those breakups of passes.
On Monday, Slay will face Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf for the second time in his career in an exciting matchup. Against Slay and the Eagles in 2020, Metcalf has 10 receptions for 177 yards in a 23-17 victory. The fate of the competition may be significantly influenced by the pair’s rematch.
Haason Reddick: Putting in the Work
Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick is still developing in Year 7, as seen by his fourth season with ten or more sacks (11). In the Dallas Cowboys’ 33–13 defeat in Week 14, Reddick produced his third multi-sack performance of the 2023 campaign. In his last six games, the former Temple player has accumulated 5.5 sacks. During Monday’s game, Seattle’s offensive line will have to contain yet another potent NFC pass rusher.
Jalen Carter: The Rookie of the Year
Jalen Carter, an Eagles rookie defensive tackle, has already had a big impact on the team’s interior defense in his first season. The former Georgia player has 27 total tackles, two forced fumbles, seven quarterback hits, 4.0 sacks, six tackles for loss, and a touchdown recovery. Carter, along with Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, is a contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year after establishing himself as a run stuffer and pass rush threat after 12 games played. As of Week 15, Carter stands fourth overall in rookie grading according to Pro Football Focus (83.8). Carter’s potential disruption in the middle will be countered by Seattle’s interior offensive line.
