After two weeks on the road, the Eagles came out of SoFi and M&T Bank victorious against the Rams and Ravens. Becoming the 2nd team to hit the 10 win mark on the 2024 season, with 5 games to go.
Now with a two game home stand against one of the worst teams in the NFL and one of the top teams in the AFC, the Eagles will have multiple opportunities to clinch not only a playoff spot this weekend. But the NFC East title could be claimed before their Week 16 rematch against the Commanders on December 22nd.
It’s A Trap!
Do you remember the last time the Eagles played against the Carolina Panthers?
In 2021 a middling 2-2 Eagles offense led by Jalen Hurts with a supporting cast of a Rookie DeVonta Smith & Jalen Reagor trailed a Sam Darnold led Panthers squad for all but the final 3 minutes of a game that ended 21-18.
If you’d like to relive that lacklustre season, you can watch those highlights here.
After blowing a 17 point lead in the previous meeting with Doug Pederson, barely coming out on top a few years later still leaves room to worry.
The Panthers might be 0-2 since their Week 11 Bye, but they were within 3 points of beating the Chiefs and Buccaneers in back-to-back weeks. Not very reassuring for a 10-2 Eagles team that’s favored by 13 points on most sports books.
The Eagles OPOY
Luckily for the Eagles, they were able to sign Saquon Barkley in the offseason.
Sitting at 1,499 Rushing Yards after a 107 yard night against Baltimore, Saquon averages 124.9 yards per game. Currently holding the title for Rushing Leader across the NFL.
The race tightens at the top
(by @FedEx) pic.twitter.com/5FZlHEfFrB
— NFL (@NFL) December 4, 2024
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With almost 100 more yards than Derrick Henry, Saquon’s numbers are even more skewed as the Eagles have already had their Week 5 Bye. And the Ravens will have theirs this weekend. Hopefully creating an even larger gap between spots #1 and #2 in the top 5.
Enter the Panthers. A league worst defense against the run, averaging 166.8 rushing yards against. And the only team across the Panthers 12 games that didn’t come close to achieving 100+ rushing yards? The Raiders. And that’s before you take into the account the 3 games teams have totalled over 200+ rushing yards against the Panthers.
With Saquon getting closer and closer to the 2,000 yard milestone, he’ll now need 501 rushing yards in the last 4-5 games the Eagles might play their starters in. We’ll need another big performance from # 26 this weekend against the Panthers, to bring the average YPG down from 100.2, or 125.25 depending on the Eagles week 18 standings.
Getting Healthier For The Stretch
There have been multiple injuries for the Eagles in the last few weeks. From missing DeVonta Smith the last 2 games. To losing Blankenship & Slay to concussions in recent games.
Thursday’s Injury Report#CARvsPHI pic.twitter.com/h7k6owhcON
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 5, 2024
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Getting multiple Pro Bowl calibre players back for one of the worst teams in the league isn’t a bad thing. But if extra time was needed for these injuries. This would have been the week to provide extra rest.
However, the sooner the Eagles find themselves locked into a playoff seed. The less stress their will be to win the final few weeks of the season, against multiple division rivals who will have nothing to play for. (except ruining where their 1st round pick will be in April)
With just 5 weeks to go, do you think the Eagles will be able to lock up the 1st seed? Or will they be locked into the 2nd seed as the Lions have already clinch a playoff spot. Joining the Bills & Chiefs as the first 3 playoff teams this NFL season.
Photo Credit: Jacob Kupferman / AP Photo
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