The Opposing Point of View: An Inside Look At The Philadelphia Eagles, The Seahawks’ Week 15 Opponent

Five questions from Seahawks.com about this week’s opponent, five replies from Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com.

The Seahawks take on the Eagles on Monday night in a showdown of two NFC teams attempting to rebound from recent losses. The Eagles are still in good shape to make the playoffs, but they are in a battle for the division title after losses to San Francisco and Dallas dropped their record to 10-3. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have lost four straight games for the first time under Pete Carroll and John Schneider, and they hope to get back on track in what will be their fourth straight meeting against the NFC’s top teams.

To help you prepare for this week’s game, Seahawks.com asked Eagles Insider Dave Spadaro of PhiladelphiaEagles.com five questions about Seattle’s Week 15 opponent.

The Eagles have dropped two straight games for the first time this season, but they remain 10-3 and in first place. How concerned are they about what transpired in those two games, and what do they need to do to get back on track?

Spadaro: I believe there are peaks and troughs in every season, and the Eagles have lost two games to two very excellent teams, and the mistakes made are what the coaches and players are working to correct. This has been a very difficult stretch of the schedule, but that’s how it goes in the NFL. There will be no excuses. The coaching staff has discussed a few key areas, including turnovers on offense and getting off the field on third downs on defense. The Eagles had 19 turnovers throughout the 2022 season and have 19 through 13 games. That is a huge issue (the Eagles were plus-14 in giveaway/takeaway last year and are presently minus-4). So ball protection is a priority, and has been since Nick Sirianni took over as head coach.

Defensively, the Eagles have struggled to get off the field on third down. Last year, they led the league in quarterback sacks, but those figures are down in ’23. They’ve trailed at halftime in six consecutive games, proving that playing from behind isn’t a winning or sustainable strategy. These are the things that must be improved in order to defeat Seattle.

On the other hand, the Eagles have shown a lot of tenacity this season in fighting back to win close games; is that a trait they can count on this week as they try to recover from their recent losses?

Spadaro: Without a doubt. There is excellent leadership here, and they understand how a season works. Nobody is in a panic, yet there is undeniable urgency. Players are aware of the ebbs and flows. Everyone expected that this season would not be easy since teams are giving the Eagles their all. And the regular season is still a month away. There is still a lot more football to be played.

The Eagles have allowed 109 points and 1,355 yards in their last three games; is that a major cause for concern, or can some of that be attributed to facing the Bills, 49ers, and Cowboys, three of the league’s top offensive teams?

Spadaro: Without a doubt, the yards and points have piled up. Third down is a target improvement area. Taking away the football might also help. Playing with a lead is a goal because the Eagles have had to come back from halftime deficits in all of those games against those three outstanding offenses. Certainly, the defense is looking for consistency. Injuries have plagued the back seven, and the defense has yet to find its sweet spot. The Eagles are aware that Seattle has dynamic pass catchers and a good running game, so the challenge this week is huge.

Aside from the obvious huge names, who do you view as the potential X-factors in this game?

Is running back D’Andre Swift on the list of “aside from obvious big names?” says Spadaro. (Editor’s note: We’ll accept that.) He’s a dangerous runner and receiver. The Eagles want to get off to a fast start, so they might throw Swift and fellow back Kenneth Gainwell into the mix early to try to establish the running game. Dallas Goedert, a tight end, is healthy and might make a big influence. Linebacker Shaquille Leonard is in his second week with the team and might see more playing time. The Eagles have been strong on special teams, with Britain Covey making big plays on punt returns. The pass rush is the defense’s strength, and while Haason Reddick is back in double digits in QB sacks, keep an eye on end Josh Sweat. He’s a fantastic under-the-radar talent.

What game or games are you most looking forward to seeing on Monday?

padaro: I’m looking forward to seeing how Seattle’s wide receivers do against Philadelphia’s cornerbacks. This is a crucial matchup. Darius Slay and James Bradberry realize how good, dynamic, and varied the Seahawks’ passing game is, and I expect the Seattle offense to put these two men to the test early in the game. The Eagles do not want to give up “X-plays” (extra-yardage plays), and they understand the importance of tackling catch-and-run receivers. The defense must be proactive while not allowing players like DK Metcalf to do what he did to Dallas a few weeks ago (6-134-3). After everything the 49ers did last week to try to get Metcalf off his game, I’m sure he’ll come out on Monday night determined to have a big game in front of a national television audience.