Nick Piccone
The Eagles look to SHOCK THE WORLD!TM for the second week in a row as they head to Seattle to face the Seahawks this Sunday. This is the game everybody wanted to avoid last year by having Pat Shurmur (remember him!?) lose the last game of the season to the New York Giants in the Meadowlands so the Eagles would head to London to face the Rams. Alas, the Eagles won, and here we are.
Last week, everybody, with the exception of yours truly, picked the Falcons to beat the Eagles. The Eagles have just been an entirely different team at home. But, on the road, in Seattle – maybe one of the worst places for an opposing team to play in the NFL – the Eagles have their work cut out for them. Will everybody choose the Seahawks, as is the norm around the country this week? Or will someone go out on that limb and find a way the Eagles could pull this one out?
Let’s hit it.
RAY HAGAN:
I keep hearing “these aren’t the same Seahawks.” That’s such a lazy narrative. They’re second in the league in points allowed per game. “Yeah, but their offense isn’t clicking.” That might’ve been true three weeks ago, but in the last two games, Wilson has thrown for over 600 yards and accounted for six total touchdowns. “But they’re in disarray, they just released their starting RB.” They released Christine Michael because they had the luxury of jettisoning a player that Green Bay was all too happy to pick up. C.J. Prosise and Thomas Rawls are legitimate backs in that Seattle offense, so Michael was expendable. Seattle has hung 31 points each of their last two games. So let’s adjust for home field, and also for the Eagles having a top three PPG defense and say they score… 25 this week? Are the Eagles scoring more than that? I don’t see it.
Seahawks 25-17.
…
TONY CUTILLO:
The Eagles surprised everyone [Editor’s note: Not me. *flexes*] with a victory against the Falcons. Can they do it again? Traveling to Seattle and playing against the 12th man is no easy task. On top of that, the Seahawks are red hot and have just come off of a defining win against the New England Patriots. That being said, maybe the Seahawks ride that high and forget all about the Eagles. A pipe dream, I know. Carson Wentz will have a lot to digest on Sunday, along with trying to figure out how to clap harder if he wants the ball. At the end of the day, I don’t think the Eagles have enough on either side of the ball, let alone under the headsets on the sideline to come away with a win. Eagles go down in Seattle with their playoff hopes dwindling away!
Seahawks 24-10.
…
CANDIS MCLEAN:
When I ask myself “Who’s the better team?”, “The Seahawks” is my immediate response. The Eagles’ struggles on the road and the lack of a wide receiver with hands is a key factor. I don’t know if I trust Pederson to stick to the run game in this matchup. I respect the Eagles’ defense enough to know that they’ll keep the game low-scoring and tight. In a defensive game, it’s a usually a matter of plays and inches that ultimately decides the outcome. I just don’t know how we can make those plays without any playmakers.
Seahawks 19-15.
…
DAVE URAM:
This is a great opportunity for the Eagles because if they win in a place the Seahawks rarely lose at, it could propel the “Good Guy” Birds season straight to the playoffs. Not to mention, another angle that could work for the Eagles is the “trap” aspect for Seattle after a close victory in New England last weekend. However, you must remember that the 2016 Eagles are two different teams, a good one at home and bad one on the road. That will show in the toughest stadium to play in football. There’s a better chance of me going on a date with a super model this weekend than an Eagles victory, and you and I both know the former isn’t happening, so neither is the latter.
Seahawks 28-14.
…
TYLER TRUMBAUER:
After picking against the Eagles last week and being pleasantly wrong, one would believe I’d jump back on the Eagles side this week. Not so fast. Although the Eagles defense had its best game of the season and the offense did enough to piggyback off the defense for the victory, I’m still not convinced this team can beat any given team. Thwarting Atlanta’s offense is quite the feat, but the fact that the game was played at Lincoln Financial Field was a huge factor. Looking ahead to this Sunday, I believe the venue plays a big role as well. CenturyLink Field, known as one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, will not be friendly to rookie quarterback Carson Wentz and first-year head coach Doug Pederson. I believe on paper this game could be winnable for the Eagles – and if it was in the City of Brotherly Love, I may have picked the Eagles – but with traveling across the country to play in one of the loudest atmospheres in all of professional sports, I just do not see the Eagles overcoming that.
Seahawks 21-17.
…
PHL ANON:
Let’s be honest, almost no one expects the Eagles to win this game, and for good reason. Not only are the Seahawks a tough team to begin with, but at home they are an irresistible force. The Seahawks are 4-0 this season and have won 31 of their last 36 games at home. That’s a tough statistic to just look past. If the Eagles battle in this game and come out with a win, it could be the win that announces to the NFL that they’re legitimate contenders for a playoff spot. The Seahawks’ weaknesses seem to be matched up against the Eagles’ strengths and vice versa, and they just came off a tough win against the Patriots. Is the door open for the Eagles to steal one? Just like last week, I’d love to predict a win, but I am going to have to go against my heart and predict with my brain.
Seahawks 23-17.
…
ADRIAN FEDKIW:
For whatever reason the Eagles can’t get after the quarterback on the road like they do at home. If they can consistently get to Wilson I think they have a great shot. Special teams and forcing turnovers will also be key too.
Both teams have stellar defenses, but the Seahawks have more weapons on offense. Many have compared this game to the one in New England last year when the Eagles upset the Patriots, but they had three return touchdowns in that game. The Birds will need a couple game-changing plays if they want to pull off the shocker.
Seahawks 24-17.
…
SEAN BRACE:
After another amazing home win over the Falcons, the Eagles now take on the hottest team in the NFL, the Seahawks. Seattle has weapons on offense. Doug Baldwin will sneak past a lot of cornerbacks in the league and put up serious numbers before it’s all over. Also, even though he’s not posting the same numbers he was when he was in New Orleans, tight end Jimmy Graham is a mismatch nightmare, and one heck of a blocker as well.
It’s the 12th man and a few playmakers sprinkled in that will give the Seahawks the win.
Seahawks 25-17.
…
NICK PICCONE:
Here we are again. The smart and safe way to go is to pick the Seahawks. Of course, the Seahawks are on fire and they’re playing at home, so what chance do the Eagles really have at winning in Seattle today? The answer’s probably not great.
But the answer was not great last Sunday at home against the Falcons, and the Eagles dominated them. Yes, the Eagles play like a different team at home than on the road, but there’s always the chance the Seahawks are smelling themselves a little bit after two big wins in a row, and are on pace for a letdown. It happens to every team. Go ahead, pick the Seahawks, Pi. You all were wrong last week, except for me. You’ll be wrong again this week.
Eagles 21-15.