The Eagles can clinch a playoff berth OR open the door to trouble this weekend

by John Kincade

With just 5 games to go in the regular season, the Eagles have one of the clearest paths to the post season that we have ever experienced. Win on Sunday and the Eagles will grab at least a wildcard spot and considering it will be their 12th win it won’t be any lower than the 5th seed. Win 4 of their last 5, in any order and the top seed in the NFC is secured. The strange thing is that even at (11-1) they still can’t afford a slip up this weekend in New York or the following weekend in Chicago. You would expect that losing just once in 12 games would give you more breathing room, but there is no current room for error. Look no further than last year to understand what issues could arise vs the Giants.

Last season the Giants finished out their 2021 campaign under Joe Judge before his firing with a (1-7) mark. They collapsed. Their only victory came at the expense of the Eagles and Jalen Hurts. It was also arguably the worst performance of his career. Jalen was just 14 of 31 passing and threw 3 interceptions. It was a terrible day against a team that had nothing going for them under a Coach on a death march. Fast forward to 2022, No more Joe Judge as they have moved on to Brian Dabol and the team has played a much more competent and inspired brand of football. They are (7-4-1) but have spring a leak after an impressive (6-1) start. They played Washington to a 20-20 tie last Sunday and don’t resemble the team that was on the Eagles tail for the first 2 months.

Jalen Hurts looks nothing like the quarterback that played in that game this season. In fact, the 3 interceptions he has thrown in 12 games this year matches his atrocious effort that afternoon. As a guy who is known for being detail oriented, I’m guessing this game is one that he has had circled on his calendar. That loss was one that could have cost the Eagles last years playoff berth. The Giants kept the best parts of their roster and jettisoned the guys who were holding them back. Last year the Eagles got ambushed, that can’t happen this time around.

MILESTONES

- In their 13th game the Eagles will have 2 players looking to hit milestones. AJ Brown needs just 50 yards receiving to reach the 1,000 yard mark on the season. Miles Sanders is just 76 yards short of the 1,000 yard mark himself. As we reflect on the improvement of Hurts it’s important to acknowledge that Sanders has taken his game to a completely different level and that the addition of Brown has created one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the league. The Eagles offense will be asked again to spark them in a critical road battle.

- The Eagles defense has been doing their part in raising their top seed chances. In their last 7 games the Eagles have allowed just one touchdown in the second half of those contests. They have put together a unit that seems to be coming into their own at the most critical time of the season.