How Can the Eagles Knock off the Patriots?

February 4th, 2018, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota: the sight of the 52nd Super Bowl in the NFL. It was on this date and at this location, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles clashed and totaled 74 points and 1,151 yards in what would be the first Super Bowl win in Eagles history as they would be victorious with a final score of 41-33. Now, just a year and nine months later, these two teams will square off, but this time it is a completely different story. The 8-1 Patriots will be storming into Lincoln Financial Field suffering their first loss of the season, a week before their bye, against the Baltimore Ravens. Their opposition, the Philadelphia Eagles are on a two-game win-streak after wins over the Buffalo Bills and the Chicago Bears, but only mounting a 5-4 record.

Keys of the Game For the Eagles

1. Slow Offense Versus Hungry Defense

The Eagles have been gaining steam and traction, but there should not be any expectations coming into this game. The Patriots Defense has been one of the most frightening defenses in all of football this year, mounting 32 sacks, 19 interceptions, 9 forced fumbles, and 6 defensive and special teams total touchdowns. This is not a defense that the Eagles will want anything to do with, especially with an enormous playmaker in DeSean Jackson officially placed on Injured Reserve just days after his return. The Eagles have also scored only 37(!) first quarter points all year. This puts them in the bottom 10 of all NFL teams in first quarter points. A slow start will not be something that you can afford against such a powerhouse.

2. Carson Wentz; Not Nick Foles

Last time that these two teams faced off, it was Nick Foles against Tom Brady. This is no longer the case. Nick Foles has moved on to quarterback the Jacksonville Jaguars, and is returning this week, so good luck Nick! This is all besides the point and the point is, the current quarterback you have is very capable of leading this team and Carson Wentz can definitely beat this team. Although a very run heavy offense, Wentz has been able to make plays and produce even with his receiving core dropping 13 total passes throughout the year. It is not a very clean matchup for the receivers either with how good the Patriots secondary is. Look for a lot of attempts to involve Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, and Miles Sanders in the passing game.

3. Bend, But Do NOT Break

This is going to be the toughest, but most pivotal part on what will decide the game. A matchup against Tom Brady is never going to be a fun one, but if you can take advantage of the lack of weapons provided, you will be able to hold this offense. Their biggest receiving threats will be Mohammed Sanu and Julian Edelman. Edelman acclimating the 3rd most receptions in football with 63, along with 663 yards and four touchdowns. Also, Sanu coming over from the Atlanta Falcons, maintaining a total of 45 receptions, 417 yards, and two touchdowns, with 10 of his receptions coming week 9 before the bye, also totaling 81 yards and a touchdown.

Other than this, there will be no names that will fear the Eagles. The likes of Jakobi Meyers, Phillip Dorsett II, and Benjamin Watson will not prove to be as much of a threat. The biggest reason to fear Sanu and Edelman is their reception-target percentages. Edelman boasts a 70% reception rate on targets and Sanu will be boasting a 74% heading into this game. The Eagles secondary is also much improved from the likes of Rasul Douglas and Craig James, now onto the Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby pairing, but they are also not perfect and can be very suspect matchups overall against the Patriots.

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