We talked with SB Nation’s Eagles blog, Bleeding Green Nation, this week about Sunday’s Eagles-Chiefs game. Earlier, we gave BGN three reasons why the Eagles could upset the Chiefs. Of course, I can’t say we really believed that will be the case. The Eagles could win ... but so could the Chiefs.
BGN gave us three reasons why the Eagles could lose this game.
OFFENSE
BGN: Carson Wentz was really impressive in Week 1. He wasn’t without faults, though. The Eagles’ second-year quarterback threw a number of deep passes that could have been intercepted by the defense. A few long attempts to Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery were underthrown/overthrown. Wentz is going to get picked off if he doesn’t tighten up his accuracy issues.
Another big concern for the Eagles is their offensive line versus the Chiefs’ pass rush. The Eagles were allowing too much pressure on Wentz last week. Fortunately for the Birds, he’s able to elude rushers in a special way. But that only goes so far. The Eagles also need to do a better job of blocking up front. Philadelphia’s run game finished with 52 yards on 20 attempts in Week 1.
DEFENSE
BGN: Tyreek Hill figures to be a huge mismatch for Philadelphia’s secondary. The Eagles were fortunate to have Kirk Cousins throw a number of inaccurate deep passes in Week 1. Washington’s wide receivers were getting behind the Eagles’ safeties and corners. Hill is bound to do the same. Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby might have a chance to run with Hill if he was active, but unfortunately for Philly he’s going to be out for over a month or so. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is going to have his hands full trying to come up with ways to cover the group of Hill, Kareem Hunt, and Travis Kelce. The Eagles will really need their pass rush to get home like it did in Week 1.
X-FACTOR
BGN: Eagles fans and Chiefs fans alike know that Andy Reid is great with extra time to prepare. The Chiefs have had off since playing on Thursday Night Football in Week 1. In addition, Reid is 8-3 versus his former assistants. Doug Pederson has a tall task in trying to best his former mentor. Making matters even more difficult is that the Eagles will have to win on the road, where they went 1-7 in 2016.
Another thing to watch is that the Eagles lost their starting kicker, Caleb Sturgis, to a hip injury. Philadelphia signed fifth-round rookie Jake Elliott from the Bengals’ practice squad to replace him. Elliott really struggled with Cincinnati in training camp and the preseason.
The Eagles usually have the advantage when it comes to the special teams battle but Dave Toub’s presence should neutralize that factor for Philadelphia.