Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks Staff Predictions
By Todd Duvall
Nov 27, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Chris Polk (32) runs with the ball against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens (59) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Bret Stuter, Staff Writer
The 9-3 Philadelphia Eagles host the 8-4 Seattle Seahawks.
Once more, the Eagles are receiving lackluster predictions, as many who sit in the chair of comfort and NFL marketting prefer to shine their spotlights elsewhere, and dedicate their homage to the NFL traditions of Dallas, New England, and most recently Seattle.
In any late season game, there are three things to consider when predicting the outcomes of any game:
(1) Motivation
(2) Inclination
(3) Desperation
Motivation – Many predict the outcome of this game to be one-sided, and in the Seahawks favor. The game is needed by the Seahawks, who are defending Super Bowl champions but find themselves trying to catch up to the surprising Arizona Cardinals 9-3 start. To do that, they see the game against the Eagles as a keystone to bridging the gap.
But the Eagles team is not without its own motivation. Due to the schedule, they’ve played the toughest NFC opponents on the road, and lost. Losses to Green Bay, Arizona (before injuries) and San Francisco have placed the Eagles on the short end of virtually any NFC tiebreaker for the playoffs. With Dallas enjoying a schedule that appears to have been hand picked by Jerry Jones to place only very beatable teams in their path, The Eagles cannot afford a loss this weekend.
Inclination – Thankfully, Philly has found home field magic once more – having been undefeated this year after a heartbreaking home loss in last year’s playoffs. Seattle, conversely, is a dim version of itself when on the road. So this weekend is a good home team versus a bad road team.
Seattle is a team that runs and manages a passing game with the scrambling ability of Russell Wilson. Philadelphia is a defense that gives up the big pass play. Seattle does not throw the deep ball.
Philadelphia is an offense that creates mismatches and exploits the advantage of speed and relentless attack. Seattle is a defense that is physical in its own right, but uses it’s speed to overwhelm it’s opponent. Philly’s offense, as did San Diego’s and Dallas’s offenses, uses big offensive linemen to clear the path for their running backs.
Desperation – When the dust clears, most pundits simply say “Mark Sanchez has not proven he can win this type of game”. Oh Really? The short week road win IN DALLAS was not a high pressure game? Seattle defense is good, but they are only at 20 sacks on the year. The Eagles defense is considered bad, but they have 42 sacks on the year.
Seattle already has plenty of respect in the league. Perhaps too much. Philadelphia has plenty of success in the league, but are not getting much respect.
The Eagles are not “wow’d” by the position they are in this year. It was expected. Last year, with less than a full playbook on either offense or defense, the team finished 10-6 and won the NFC East. This year, with a full playbook on offense and defense, the team is already at 9-3 and is battling for more than just “making the playoffs”.
That battle happens this weekend. The Eagles are more than just a team that is content to get there. This team knows that hard work all season means nothing if it is not delivered on a football field.
There are far too many people applauding Seattles chances in this game. But I am not one of them.
Eagles 27, Seahawks 17
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