Titans vs. Eagles: Complete Week 12 Preview for Philadelphia

After last week’s debacle against the Green Bay Packers, there’s nothing the Philadelphia Eagles can do but move on and prepare for the Tennessee Titans. After all, the Eagles got destroyed in all facets of the game, and it was an alarming wake-up call for the team.

Maybe it will work for Chip Kelly’s Eagles as it did for Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots. The Patriots lost to the Kansas City Chiefs by a 41-14 score on Monday Night Football; since then, the Patriots have won six straight, averaging over 40 points per contest.

The Eagles really should win this game by double-digit points, which would keep Philadelphia in the driver’s seat in the NFC East. Here are the news and notes to keep you informed about this upcoming matchup between the Eagles and the Titans.

Eagles’ Week 11 Recap

Tom Lynn/Associated Press

There aren’t many positive things to say about the Philadelphia Eagles’ game against the Green Bay Packers. It was just the third time since 1998 that the Eagles lost by at least 33 points, and the 53 points surrendered was the third-highest total in franchise history.

Mark Sanchez reverted to the Sanchez of the old, throwing multiple interceptions, including a pick-six, fumbling twice and taking an intentional grounding penalty. He wasn’t helped by the defense, which allowed Aaron Rodgers to pass for over 300 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a game so easy for Rodgers he could sit back and laugh through it all.

Even the Eagles’ special teams struggled, with punt returner Micah Hyde running back one for a 75-yard touchdown. In all, Green Bay solidified itself as a legitimate NFL contender, while the Eagles dropped to just 1-2 against 2014 teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended now. It was a bad enough performance by Philly that it probably would have lost to even the Oakland Raiders.

News and Notes

John Cordes/Associated Press

Earl Wolff Placed on Injured Reserve

It hasn’t been a good season for Earl Wolff. Even with the struggles by fifth-year safety Nate Allen, Wolff was a healthy scratch for two consecutive weeks before he was eventually placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a knee injury that hasn’t healed.

"

Earl Wolff: "They want the Earl back that flies around, that has a 40-inch vertical. They want me back right.” Said he hasn't been right.

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) November 18, 2014"

This may end Wolff’s tenure in Philadelphia; after all, he was just a 2013 fifth-round pick and hasn’t shown much in limited playing time.

To take Wolff’s spot on the active roster, the Eagles signed last year’s dime cornerback, Roc Carmichael. (It should say something that Carmichael was re-signed rather than fifth-round rookie safety Ed Reynolds getting promoted from the practice squad.)

Marcus Smith Redshirting?

Many NFL teams are getting strong contributions from their first-round rookies, particularly those teams that drafted wide receivers. As for the Philadelphia Eagles, it appears like their first-rounder is all but redshirting the season, considering he couldn’t get on the field for one snap in a 33-point loss.

"

Marcus Smith hasn't shown enough in practice to get on the field, says Chip....one of the harsher comments he's made on rookie

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) November 17, 2014"

It’s not as if Marcus Smith is playing special teams either.

"

Chip says Marcus Smith can't get on field for special teams, either, mentioning play of Trey Burton among others. #Eagles

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) November 20, 2014"

For the year, Smith has appeared in just 59 defensive snaps, and he’s made no impact on those plays.

"

Tackles this season... Blake Bortles 2, Mike Evans 2, Odell Beckham 2, Brandin Cooks 2, Greg Robinson 2, Jake Matthews 1, Marcus Smith 0.

— Bryn Swartz (@eaglescentral) November 19, 2014"

Former Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver Jason Avant Released from Carolina

For eight seasons, Jason Avant was the slot receiver in Philadelphia before he was released this past offseason and signed with the Carolina Panthers.

Avant certainly isn’t the same player he was in his prime; he’s never had any speed, although he was on pace for close to 40 catches in 2014. But apparently he made some comments after last week’s loss that the coaching staff didn’t find favorable.

"

Panthers waived former #Eagles WR Jason Avant today. He publicly questioned the play-calling after the loss to the Falcons.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) November 18, 2014"

However, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera denied that as being the reason for Avant's release, per Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer.

It’s highly unlikely the Eagles sign Avant. He doesn’t fit the Chip Kelly system. Given Avant’s age, 31, he may have to retire.

Injury Report

Michael Perez/Associated Press

There isn’t much to report from the injury side for the Philadelphia Eagles. Nick Foles is still out for probably another six weeks, and Earl Wolff was added to injured reserve with a knee injury.

Aside from those two, Matt Tobin is the only injury worth mentioning.

"

On the #Eagles official injury report for Weds, G Matt Tobin (concussion) was the only player to not practice (other than Foles).

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) November 19, 2014"

Tobin is starting at right guard for the injured Todd Herremans, but if he’s unable to go Sunday, the Eagles will have to go with Dennis Kelly or Andrew Gardner. That would give the Eagles their eighth different offensive line combination in 11 games.

Here’s the official injury report, per Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation.

Player	Position	Injury
Nick Foles	QB	Collarbone (Out)
Chris Maragos	S	Groin (Probable)
Jason Kelce	C	Thumb (Probable)
Brandon Bair	DE	Elbow (Probable)
Jordan Matthews	WR	Knee (Probable)
Mychal Kendricks	ILB	Calf/Hamstring (Probable)
Brandon Boykin	CB	Hamstring (Probable)
Matt Tobin	G/T	Concussion (Probable)
Jeff Maehl	WR	Foot (Probable)

Key Matchups and X-Factors to Watch

Gail Burton/Associated Press

LG Evan Mathis vs. RDE Jurrell Casey

This puts one of the game’s best offensive linemen against a tremendous defensive talent in Jurrell Casey. Casey, a 2011 third-round pick, has the size to play anywhere on the three-man front, but he’s been playing right defensive end this season.

That would put Casey at the 5-technique spot, meaning he will line up head-to-head against Evan Mathis for the majority of the game. Casey spent 2013 as a 3-technique tackle, but he’s moved to the end spot nicely. He’s on pace for seven sacks this season, and he currently rates as the tied for sixth among 47 3-4 defensive ends in quarterback hurries (20), per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Casey abused Pittsburgh Steelers left guard Ramon Foster on Monday Night Football, and he gets Mathis this week. Mathis missed most of this season with an MCL sprain, but he’s played very well since returning.

QB Mark Sanchez vs. Tennessee Titans Secondary

Mark Sanchez really needs to get back on track this week, and if he can’t do it against a Tennessee Titans team that has just two wins on the season, the Philadelphia Eagles are in trouble.

Granted, the Titans pass defense certainly isn’t their biggest problem. It ranks ninth in passing yards allowed, 11th in passing touchdowns allowed and 13th in defensive passer rating, per Cold Hard Football Facts.

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s switch to a 3-4 scheme this year has worked well; both veterans Jurrell Casey and Derrick Morgan have made smooth transitions while remaining prominent pass-rushers. Still, Sanchez had a handful of weapons in Jeremy Maclin, Jordan Matthews and LeSean McCoy, and he needs to show he can play a turnover-free game.

ILB Mychal Kendricks/S Nate Allen vs. TE Delanie Walker

Delanie Walker is for the Tennessee Titans what James Casey was supposed to be for the Philadelphia Eagles; he’s a versatile H-back/tight end who can line up at multiple spots and create a positive impact for his offense.

Walker is fifth among tight ends in yards (512), and he’s tied for second with 12 missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus. Rookie quarterbacks have to love throwing to tight ends, so expect Zach Mettenberger to frequently look for Walker.

The Philadelphia Eagles will utilize a handful of players from the defensive side to cover Walker, with the main candidates being safety Nate Allen and inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks. Allen has struggled all season in pass coverage, having surrendered brutal numbers—18.9 yards per catch, four touchdowns and a 138.4 passer rating, per PFF. Kendricks is much quicker and will be the likely player to match up with Walker.

X-Factor: Chris Polk

The Tennessee Titans have an atrocious run defense, currently rated 31st in the NFL in rushing yards allowed and 27th in rushing touchdowns allowed. They allowed Le’Veon Bell to rush for over 200 yards this past Monday night.

LeSean McCoy has struggled this season, but even he should be able to break 100 yards on the ground. But look for Chris Polk to work his way in as a change-of-pace back. He has a career yards-per-carry average of 5.7 on just 30 rushes, and he’s found the end zone on four of those rushes.

Look for Polk to add to his touchdown total this coming Sunday.

Prediction

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

I already made five bold predictions for this Sunday's game, and reading those should make it clear that I think the Philadelphia Eagles should—and will—win this game easily. It's not often you face a team with a rookie quarterback, rookie running back and first-year head coach.

That's the scenario for the Eagles, who will look to put Sunday's embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers in the rearview mirror.

The Eagles will go up early and hold on for an easy win. There won’t be any real struggles here. A safe 28-13 win puts Philadelphia at 8-3 and ready for a Thanksgiving showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.

Prediction: Eagles 28, Titans 13