Philadelphia Eagles in good shape for Week 5 if history is any indication
History will be on the Philadelphia Eagles side when they take on the New York Jets this Sunday. The question is will the Jets follow the script?
The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets have met ten times in the NFL’s 100-year history. Philadelphia is 10-0 in those meetings. From as many as 27 points in 1977 to as few as one point in 1973, Sunday’s meeting between these two teams has more on the line than many may think.
The Eagles and Jets enter their 11th matchup on two totally different trajectories. ‘The Birds’ enter the game on the back of a big comeback win over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football, while the Jets are patiently awaiting the return of quarterback Sam Darnold along with several key players on defense.
The question is will Darnold play? Eric Allen, senior director at Jets 360 Productions, has his theory. Take a look.
While the status of Sam Darnold and C.J. Mosley still is uncertain, rookie DT Quinnen Williams (ankle) is expected to be back in the lineup against the Eagles.
— Eric Allen (@eallenjets) September 30, 2019
Similar to their matchup in October 2003, the Eagles possess a talented quarterback who’s close to entering his prime, and he’s equipped with a stable of capable runners.
That team, led by Donovan McNabb and the three-headed backfield of Duce Staley, Brian Westbrook, and Correll Buckhalter, was enjoying a similar period of success as the current Eagles are seeing. McNabb’s ‘Birds’ were one year away from an appearance in Super Bowl 39.
2019’s version of the Eagles is looking to put together a dominant performance heading into a difficult portion of their schedule. If Doug Pederson is looking for a blueprint, one can be found in December 2011’s 45-19 Eagles victory in which then-coach Andy Reid leaned on star running back LeSean McCoy to the tune of 18 carries for 102 yards and three touchdowns.
Check out this nugget from Ed Kracz, Eagles reporter for Sports Illustrated.
#Eagles are 10-0 in series with Jets. This is the first time the Eagles will face the Jets at the Linc since Dec. 18, 2011 (45-19 win). The last matchup resulted in a 24-17 win at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 27, 2015
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) October 1, 2019
Last Thursday’s victory over the Packers showed just how good the Eagles offense can be when its backs are given the opportunity to shine. Similarly to the games of 2003 and 2011, Sunday’s contest should heavily feature current running backs Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard against a banged-up Jets front seven.
dark. Next. Joel Embiid has some explaining to do
It is hard to believe the Eagles have matched up with their perennial preseason partner just ten times in history. There may be no contest with greater importance than the next one, as the Birds look to get back over .500 and continue on their journey toward another playoff appearance.