In this week’s Monday Night Football matchup, the 7-3 Seattle Seahawks travel to Philadelphia to take on the 3-6-1 Eagles. The Seahawks have won the previous five meetings, including twice last year, in Week 12 and the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have lost back-to-back games coming out of their bye week. They now head into the toughest part of their schedule. They will be without right tackle Lane Johnson (season-ending ankle surgery), guard Sua Opeta, and safety Rudy Ford. Matt Pryor will get the start at right tackle. Nate Herbig will be the main backup at both guard spots. Without Johnson, Carson Wentz will be hurt. So far this season, Wentz leads the NFL in all the categories no one wants to lead in – interceptions (14), fumbles (10), and sacks (40).
Not having the good protection or receiver play is part of the blame for Wentz, but he also needs to learn to get out of the pocket and get rid of the ball. Tight end Dallas Goedert led the team with five catches for 77 yards and a receiving touchdown in Week 11. Jalen Reagor and Travis Fulgham will be two other top targets for Wentz. The Eagles are also expected to include backup Jalen Hurts in the offense more, with Wentz still getting the start.
On the defensive side, Philadelphia will need to get pressure on Russell Wilson and force him to make plays. Defensive end Brandon Graham had two tackles for loss last week. He looks for his third game in a row versus Seattle with 1.5 or more sacks. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox had a sack and forced his first fumble of the season last week. He aims for his fourth game in a row against Seattle with a sack and had six tackles, two TFL, and FF in the 2019 NFC Wild Card game.
Linebacker Alex Singleton had a team-high 11 tackles, his first career sack, and first career fumble recovery last week. Stopping the legs of Wilson and the passing game led by D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett will be key for the Eagles in this one. Wilson has had nine turnovers in the last three games, so winning the turnover battle will be important as well. However, the Eagles have only forced 11 turnovers this season.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are coming off a 28-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11 and are in first place in the NFC West. Their three losses came after their Week 6 bye, as they lost three of four. Chris Carson makes his return to the backfield, Ethan Pocic will be back at center after missing two games with a concussion, and Shaquill Griffin will be back after missing a month. Wilson passed for two touchdowns and had no interceptions in Week 11. He has two or more touchdown passes in nine of 10 games and leads the NFL with 30 touchdown passes.
Metcalf had a receiving touchdown last week and burned the Eagles in the Wild Card game last year. He had seven catches for 160 yards and a touchdown catch in that game. Lockett and Metcalf are the only pair of teammates to have over 700 receiving yards and eight or more touchdown catches this season. Meanwhile, the Seahawks defense has struggled to stop the passing game, as they have one of the worst passing defenses in the NFL. They have allowed 13 touchdowns and an average of 259 receiving yards to wide receivers this season. But if their front can get pressure on Wentz, they will be in a good spot.
Game Info
Date: Nov. 30, 2020
Start Time: 8:15 P.M. est
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
TV Info: ESPN
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Point Spread: SEA -6.5 (-110) | PHI +6.5 (-110)
Moneyline: SEA -300 | PHI +225
Over/Under: O 48.5 (-110) | U 48.5 (-110)
With these two passing defenses, this could definitely be a shootout. So, safe to say the over will be hit. The Eagles could also keep this close so they could cover the spread.
Prediction
This will be a high-scoring game that could turn into a shootout. With the Eagles still fighting for an NFC East division title, they won’t back down. But the Seahawks seem to be their kryptonite and Seattle will maintain their position in first place in the NFC West.
Final Score: Seattle Seahawks 34, Philadelphia 31
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