While there may be slim hopes to get the number three seed in the NFC playoffs, the Philadelphia Eagles still have a chance to try to build some momentum for the postseason with a win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 17.
The Eagles enter the game with a 10-5 record and are the NFC East division champions. They are one game behind the Chicago Bears for the second seed in the NFC, but need the Bears to lose out for any hope of earning that number-two seed to play the struggling Green Bay Packers.
Buffalo is not going to be an easy opponent, and the Eagles need to be ready for anything to come their way. There is one aspect of the Eagles that head coach Nick Sirianni has continued to ignore, and it might end up hurting them in the end.
Jake Elliott's struggles could sink the Eagles in the worst way against Buffalo
There's no secret that Eagles kicker Jake Elliott has struggled over the last five games, as he has missed five field goals in that span. It wasn't very good when Elliott missed two field goals in the 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 16.
Sirianni spent the week defending Elliott and still putting his trust in him. The Eagles decided not bring in any competition for Elliott to try to push him to be better.
Instead, the Eagles are letting the NFL's least accurate kicker at 70.8% keep his job with no pressure of losing it. There should be a conversation about whether Elliott continues to kick without anyone behind him, but Philly is hell-bent on making sure they keep their kicker.
The struggles go back as far as last year, when he went one of seven from 50+ yards. Even when he was good on field goals in the postseason, with one miss on 11 attempts, he missed three extra points in four playoff games,
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This isn't a problem that's just going to disappear magically, as Elliott is going to have to get it done in the cold of Buffalo, New York. Another bad game for Elliott, and the blame will solely be on Sirianni for keeping him around.