What They’re Saying About the Eagles


From Jaws’ QB rankings to predictions for Sunday’s game, here’s a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles.

ESPN’s Ron Jaworski has Nick Foles 18th in his QB rankings:

What’s really impressive is that if you look at Chip Kelly’s offense, it’s not a check-down, dink-and-dunk passing game. The Eagles are aggressive downfield. They have 61 pass completions of 20 yards or more, the most in the NFL this season. Add that context and it’s even more impressive that he hasn’t thrown an interception. If he continues to do that, the Eagles will go to the playoffs. But a clunker like he posted against Dallas could end their season really quickly.

Peter King of TheMMQB.com will be keeping an eye on Eagles-Lions this weekend:

The Lions-Eagles and Cowboys-Bears are must-watch games with playoff implications. Nick Foles has Philly on fire, having won four straight to match Dallas’ 7-5 record. The Eagles would love to see the desperate Bears knock off the Cowboys, allowing them (with a win) to move into sole possession of first place in the East. The Lions, fresh off their Turkey Day bludgeoning of the Packers, are eager to distance themselves from the Bears in the North, and the Cowboys wouldn’t shed a tear to see the Eagles lose. Really looking forward to seeing how these scenarios play out.

Elliot Harrison of NFL.com thinks the Eagles escape with a 30-27 victory:

Not sure I’ve ever typed this, but the key matchup in this one just might be the officiating crew vs. everybody. This is not to tar and feather the officials; rather, I’m acknowledging that how they call this game could determine the outcome. Will they let the Lions’ front four get away with some extracurriculars? Nick Foles is the kind of quarterback who looks intimidate-able (that’s our second word in this blurb that isn’t a word, but oh well). Some people look at Philly as a finesse team — will the Detroit defense attempt to cement that image? Then there are the Eagles’ defensive backs, who — as even the most ardent Philly fan would have to admit — got away with some serious illegal contact against Arizona on Sunday. We’re all for “letting ’em play,” i.e., we’re not being negative. But really, what about the officials? Will they let defenders put their hands on Calvin Johnson? Hmmm. Taking the home team here.

Andy Benoit of TheMMQB.com offers a preview of Sunday’s matchup:

Offenses like to attack Detroit’s fast-flowing zone defense with misdirection concepts. Tactics like wind-back runs, receiver end-around handoffs, quick play-action rollouts and screen passes are great ways to punish defenders for their speed and aggression. As it so happens, misdirection concepts make up the bulk of Chip Kelly’s hurry-up system. As long as Philly’s interior O-line can survive against the increasingly dominant duo of Ndamukong Suh-Nick Fairley, LeSean McCoy and tight ends Brent Celek and Zach Ertz will post good numbers.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com has the Lions, 35-30:

This has the makings of a big­time shootout. Both teams are top­10 in passing and both are bad defending the pass. Look for big numbers from Nick Foles and Matt Stafford. In the end, I think Stafford and Calvin Johnson get the best of it. Lions take it in an upset.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk goes with the Eagles, 30-24:

Philly continues to make a push toward an unlikely playoff berth, with an unlikely franchise quarterback. Detroit didn’t get it done last month in Pittsburgh; the Eagles are even better than the Steelers.

Evan Silva of Rotoworld likes the Lions, 30-27:

A week after dropping 115 total yards on Arizona’s top-four run defense, LeSean McCoy will square off with Detroit’s top-three group as Chip Kelly’s virtually unstoppable run game meets the Lions’ immovable defensive front. Over its last six games, Detroit has stymied enemy running backs for 228 scoreless yards on 108 carries (2.11 YPC). The Lions haven’t allowed a rushing TD since Week 4.

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