The Philadelphia Eagles were clearly the top team in the NFL for the most of the season, winning 10 of their first 11 games. However, as they prepare to travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks in a Week 15 Monday night game, the Eagles have lost two games in a row against their main rivals.
In Week 13, they were defeated 42-19 at home by the San Francisco 49ers, and the next week they were defeated 33-13 by archrival Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles were suddenly not only human as they faced defeat, but they also dropped from the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff bracket to the No. 5 place.
While this is undoubtedly a terrible situation, the Eagles have a seasoned club that has been through huge ups and downs over the last two seasons, and panic is unlikely.
Head coach Nick Sirianni is a single-minded leader who can keep his squad focused on the task at hand, and quarterback Jalen Hurts seems to flourish in most situations, but especially when uncertainty creeps in from the outside.
The Eagles are expected to return to form, and they should be able to win again against a faltering Seattle Seahawks squad that has lost four games in a row and is dealing with injuries.
Hurts will throw two touchdown passes and sprint for 60 yards or more for a touchdown.
Hurts did not play well in the losses to the 49ers and Cowboys, and he did not practice on Saturday due to sickness. He is not, however, noted on the injury report.
In the loss to the Niners, the quarterback completed 26 of 45 passes for 298 yards and one score, and he followed that up by completing 18 of 27 passes for 197 yards against the Cowboys. In neither game, he threw an interception.
Hurts has completed 286 of 430 passes for 3,192 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions this season. While his throwing numbers are not as impressive as they were in 2022, he remains a strong factor while running with the ball. He has rushed 126 times for 460 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Hurts succeeds more than any other quarterback in the league when the Eagles need 1 yard to punch the ball in the end zone or gain a first down.
Hurts may not be as physically gifted as quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow, but he is a winning player who accepts responsibility for the game’s outcome on a regular basis.
The Seahawks are suffering right now, so expect Hurts to resume his production and throw for at least two touchdowns while also running for one.
A.J. Brown will dominate Seattle’s defensive backfield.
Throughout the season, the Hurts-Brown combination has been one of the greatest in the NFL. Brown is a strong man who has demonstrated his ability to outmuscle opposing defensive backs and make big receptions.
He is particularly dangerous after the catch because he can sprint by and through opponents. He enters Week 15 with 90 receptions for 1,258 yards and seven touchdowns.
In addition to his exceptional talent, he makes the life of fellow wideout DeVonta Smith easier. While Smith has been critical of his recent efforts, he has caught 69 catches for 907 yards and six touchdowns.
“I’m playing terrible,” Smith admitted. “Gotta play better.”
The Eagles’ defense should be able to get back on track against the ailing Seahawks.
Both the 49ers and the Cowboys annihilated the Eagles’ defense. The Eagles have been vulnerable to huge plays and long drives instead of blunting rival offenses with punishing hits and important interceptions.
According to cornerback Darius Slay, that has to change.
“Usually the Eagles are known for defense,” Slay went on to say. “So we have to be known for it.” We need to get back out there and impose our will.”
Expect Haason Reddick to take the lead against the Seahawks. He leads the club with 11.0 sacks, 32 tackles, and a forced fumble. With 80 tackles each, free safety Reed Blankenship and inside linebacker Zach Cunningham lead the Eagles.
