The Philadelphia Eagles were a popular playoff pick and even Super Bowl pick this year by many experts (myself included) before the season began. After an impressive week one win in which The Eagles offense scored 32 points against the Redskins, it looked like the Philadelphia Eagles were going to roll. Then they lost by 2 inches in a heartbreaker In Atlanta against a team they are certainly superior to. They lost another close game to the Detroit Lions at home riddled by miscues. All a sudden The Eagles were 1-2 and many experts and fans were deservedly questioning The Eagles chances of making a playoff run this year. Many thought that the season was already over as The team headed to Green Bay to take on The 3-0 Green Bay Packers On Thursday Night.
Three Carson Wentz Touchdown passes later as well as two rushing Touchdowns from RB Jordan Howard as well as much improved play from on the defensive side of the ball The Eagles are back in business. The Eagles defense also played better defense as they sacked Aaron Rodgers twice, and intercepted the dangerous QB at the end of the game to seal a hard-fought and well deserved 34-27 victory. The defense still needs to improve. They need to allow fewer points, and the secondary needs a lift.
Perhaps a trade for CB Jalen Ramsey is still possible? That being said The Eagles showed why they have one of the better offenses in the NFL on Thursday night as they looked very sharp against a Green Bay defense that was leading the league in points allowed at 11 points per game. The Eagles scored 34 points against a very good defense. While QB Carson Wentz, RBs Miles Sanders, Jordan Howard, WR Alshon Jeffery, and TEs Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert had great games the players on Philadelphia’s offensive line were the real stars of the game as they easily had their best game of the season.
They did an excellent job of opening up both running and passing lanes all game long. C Jason Kelce and RT Lane Johnson, in particular, were very impressive. QB Carson Wentz was not sacked even one time all game long. There was also not a single false start by any member the offensive line in the game. That is huge. Here’s hoping the big guys up front keep up the excellent play. When completely healthy The Eagles have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
It looks like this football team has really found their groove as a unit. Rookie running back Miles Sanders looks like he’s finally rounding into form which will only mean more good thing for The Eagles very talented offense.
Sanders had a much better performance this week against the Packers than he did against the Lions last week as he ran for 72 yards and had a huge kickoff return of 70 yards when the Eagles really needed it down 10 points at the time. He also averaged a season-best 5.1 yards per carry. If he is really becoming the back the Eagles thought they were getting when they drafted the kid in the second round this year the rest of their opponents are in trouble.
Sanders and Howard finally looked like The RB duo many expected before the season got underway. Think the team missed previously Injured players WR Alshon Jeffery and TE Dallas Goedert? The answer is obviously yes as both players caught TD passes from star QB Carson Wentz.
Let’s talk about CB Craig James for a second. CBS Sidney Jones, and Avonte Maddox both suffered injuries during the game. James had just been activated this week from the team’s practice squad and had never before played a snap in an NFL Football game.
It was obvious that Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was going to try to pick on him with the ball at the 5-yard line with about a minute left to play. Not only did CB Craig James hold his own, but he tipped Rodger’s pass intended for TE Jimmy Graham up into the air and into the waiting arms of LB Nigel Bradham sealing the victory for the Birds. With the Eagles hurting at CB a little bit James could see more playing time. Especially if the Philadelphia Eagles don’t bring in another CB off the street or via trade. If Craig James keeps practicing well there may be no need to. It’s possible that the Eagles have found an answer at the position with the kid. The NFL is all about performing well when your number gets called and the young undrafted second-year CB Craig James did just that. With Avonte Maddox most likely out for the season the position could be his to lose.
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This upcoming Sunday The Eagles play The lowly Jets at home and should be getting their best offensive weapon back in WR Desean Jackson for that game. It’s a game they should win easily. I expect them to be 3-2 after they demolish the Jets. The Philadelphia Eagles can certainly get on a run after Thursday Night’s huge statement win over the packers. The division now becomes winnable. Their biggest competition in the division the Dallas cowpies excuse me cowboys finally play some tough competition after winning some games over 3 of the worst teams in the league as they travel to New Orleans to play the red hot Saints. After tonight’s game, I truly believe The Philadelphia Eagles will get into the playoffs one way or another. If they can get a corner, and playmakers DT Tim Jernigan and LB Kamu Gruger-Hill back relatively soon then yes this team can make a deep run in the playoffs as well. Head coach Doug Pederson looks to have coached his team up. The Eagles Schedule after week 5 isn’t the easiest, however, if they can beat the packers on the road in a very hostile environment as they did on Thursday Night they can certainly beat anyone they face this season. I’m looking forward to watching them beat Dallas, and knocking Giants rookie QB Daniel Jones on his back when they play later this year.
Bold prediction: The Eagles make the playoffs with a 10-6 record at the end of the season and win 2 playoff games at the least. Can they win it all for the second time in two years? I will simply say this at the moment: Anything is possible in the playoffs.
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