5 Bold Predictions for Philadelphia Eagles' Week 12 Matchup

The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to rebound from a horrific 53-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers, one in which Mark Sanchez struggled and the secondary was exposed. It dropped the Eagles to just 1-2 against teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended tomorrow, and it raises questions about Chip Kelly's ability to beat the NFL's elite teams.

Fortunately, that loss didn't do too much damage; the Eagles are still in first place within their division, and there were no major injuries. The team will try to get back on track with a home matchup against a Tennessee Titans squad that is just 2-8 on the year, although it's coming off of a hard-fought matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.

The Eagles do get rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger and a Titans team that ranks in the bottom three in the league in both scoring offense and total offense. Theoretically, Philadelphia should win this game with ease. Here are five bold predictions about what might happen this coming Sunday.

1. Jordan Matthews Catches Two More Touchdowns

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Mark Sanchez clearly likes throwing to Jordan Matthews, and there’s no reason to expect that to slow down.

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Jordan Matthews splits w/ and w/o Mark Sanchez. pic.twitter.com/qvzVhDiaLa

— Fantasy Douche (@FantasyDouche) November 18, 2014"

The two hooked up for five catches, 107 yards and a touchdown in the Green Bay loss, and Matthews totaled 138 yards and a pair of scores against Carolina.

He’s now caught four touchdowns over the past three weeks, and he’s facing a Tennessee defense in the bottom half in both points and yards allowed, and dead last in first downs allowed. Slot corner Coty Sensabaugh is having himself a solid season, but the chemistry between Sanchez and Matthews is undeniable.

2. Jeremy Maclin Finishes with Just Three Catches

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With Mark Sanchez throwing so much to Jordan Matthews, someone has to suffer. Look for that to be Jeremy Maclin.

Maclin’s numbers under Nick Foles were unsustainable, as Foles targeted Maclin as if he were the only receiver on the field. Maclin has seen a decrease since Sanchez took over; after averaging 10.6 targets his first seven games, he’s dropped to just eight the past three weeks.

The Tennessee Titans have an awful run defense, so the Philadelphia Eagles should be running the ball a lot. That may mean another subpar receiving output from Maclin.

3. The Eagles Defense Records Another Score

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Several factors suggest the Philadelphia Eagles could score a touchdown on defense: The unit has been doing so at a ridiculous pace this season, Zach Mettenberger did just throw a pick-six last week, and he’s a rookie quarterback, which means he’s naturally more prone to making those kinds of mistakes.

The Eagles should be winning early, which means Mettenberger will have to keep throwing the ball. Any of the defensive backs could come up with the pick-six (it could even be someone in the front seven), but I think it will be Brandon Boykin, the slot corner who will be in coverage frequently on Kendall Wright.

4. Brandon Boykin Holds Kendall Wright to Just One Catch

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Speaking of Brandon Boykin, he’s going to have a full plate of snaps with Kendall Wright. Last year, Wright caught 94 passes and was targeted an absurd 139 times. His numbers are predictably down this season, but he’s still seeing at least six to seven targets per game.

Boykin usually plays just a third of the Philadelphia Eagles’ snaps on defense, but with Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker having missed this past contest (concussion), Wright may get even more snaps.

Boykin usually plays extremely well against natural slot receivers. He’ll win this matchup with ease, holding Wright to one catch on six targets, with Boykin also taking back an interception for a touchdown.

5. The Eagles Rush for over 175 Yards

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For the third week in a row, the Philadelphia Eagles face one of the NFL's worst run defenses. The Tennessee Titans are 31st in rushing yards allowed, and they're coming off of a shortened week in which Le'Veon Bell just rolled up over 200 yards against them.

That means LeSean McCoy should have a terrific game. Then again, that should have been the case against both the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers. For whatever reason, McCoy just hasn’t been the same player this year, and that’s even with his best run-blockers (Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce) now back from injuries.

McCoy will probably put up close to 100 yards, but Darren Sproles and Chris Polk will see their share of touches. Recently, every time that Sproles touches the ball, he makes plays.

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Every one of Darren Sproles' last 10 carries has gone for five yards or more. Spanning parts of four games.

— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) November 18, 2014

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Polk runs harder than almost any player in football, and he has a chance to become a goal-line back. The two of them will combine for about 100 of their own yards, and that will be 200 for the Eagles as a team.