5 Bold Predictions for Philadelphia Eagles' Week 17 Matchup
The stage is set for an epic Week 17 battle between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, with the winner taking home the NFC East crown and hosting a January playoff game.
Chip Kelly’s Eagles are fresh off a 54-11 demolition of the Chicago Bears, one in which the offense ran all over the Bears’ bottom-ranked defense. Meanwhile, the Cowboys barely edged the Washington Redskins, doing so on a last-second game-winning touchdown pass by quarterback Tony Romo.
Romo’s status for this game is very much in doubt, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this week that he was out for the matchup against Philadelphia. Jason Garrett says otherwise, but it’s unlikely that he'll suit up considering the severity of his injury.
The Eagles should win this game, and they will win this game. The offense is playing too well for the Cowboys’ 32nd-ranked defense to stop, and Kelly is simply a better coach than Garrett. He’ll have his team prepared, and the result will be another high-powered offensive output from Philly.
Nick Foles Puts Up Another 130-Plus Passer Rating
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Nick Foles has been money this season, save for the Dallas Cowboys game. That’s why he will be so good in Week 17. He's simply too good not to redeem himself. He's a different quarterback now.
The Cowboys have one of the worst defenses in the league. They’re 25th in points allowed and 32nd in yards allowed. And middle linebacker Sean Lee’s absence will hurt the team.
Foles was surgical against the Chicago Bears last week, and he will continue it against the Cowboys. He has a slew of offensive weapons in LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Riley Cooper and Zach Ertz. He has proven he very rarely makes mistakes, and this game will be redemption for his dismal performance earlier.
Look for 350-plus passing yards, three touchdown passes and no interceptions from Foles.
DeSean Jackson Catches a Pair of 50-Yard Touchdowns
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If DeSean Jackson catches one more 50-yard touchdown pass, he will tie Randy Moss’ record for most 50-yard touchdown grabs before the age of 28 (Jackson just turned 27).
So how about not one, but two long bombs from Nick Foles to Jackson?
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr has struggled against the pass this year. He’s one of just two players to allow over 900 yards in the air, per Pro Football Focus. Jackson will get the best of him on a deep fly and a deep post.
LeSean McCoy Rushes for 200 Yards
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LeSean McCoy wants that NFL rushing title, and he wants that single-season Philadelphia Eagles franchise record. Just ask him.
McCoy leads Jamaal Charles by 198 yards in the rushing race, and he’s just 37 yards away from breaking Wilbert Montgomery’s single-season franchise record. Each should be a cinch for him.
The Dallas Cowboys rate 30th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per attempt. They’re 27th in yards allowed and 26th in rushing touchdowns allowed. After what McCoy did to the Chicago Bears last week, no team is going to want to face him. And Chip Kelly would be wise to give McCoy the ball over and over again.
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The Philadelphia Eagles Score a Defensive Touchdown
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Kyle Orton isn’t a bad quarterback, but he’s not Tony Romo. The Dallas Cowboys’ game plan will likely feature a pile of checkdown passes to Jason Witten and DeMarco Murray.
Look for the Philadelphia Eagles to pick off a couple of those passes. Second-year cornerback Brandon Boykin is playing fantastic football this season, with five interceptions and a long pick-six. Veteran cornerback Cary Williams has also played really well against some of the NFL’s top receivers, as documented in CSNPhilly’s Reuben Frank’s recent article.
The Eagles will score a defensive touchdown against Orton this week. Linebacker Mychal Kendricks is my guess, doing so on a deflected interception return.
The Eagles Win 44-27
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This game was made for the Philadelphia Eagles to win. They’re coming off a thrashing of the Chicago Bears, and every cylinder of the offense is clicking as they prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys.
Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy will turn in phenomenal performances, the offensive line will continue its outstanding play and the defense will hold Kyle Orton in check. An early 7-0 lead by the Eagles will build to a 24-10 halftime score and an eventual 44-27 win, giving Philly a home playoff game in January.
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