Dissecting Most Crucial Matchups in Eagles-Seahawks Week 14 Contest

The Philadelphia Eagles host the Seattle Seahawks this weekend in a game that will likely determine one of the two first-round byes in the NFC playoffs. With the Green Bay Packers (9-3) playing as well as any team in the league right now, it's going to be virtually impossible for the Eagles (9-3) to overtake Aaron Rodgers and company if they don't play at the Linc in the playoffs.

After all, the Eagles lost to Green Bay at Lambeau by 33 points just a few weeks ago. 

The Seahawks, at 8-4, are still in the running to win the NFC West title. The Arizona Cardinals are currently the top seed in the NFC playoffs, but they're in the middle of a freefall right now, having lost two straight blowout contests under backup quarterback Drew Stanton.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks are playing as well as they did when they won the Super Bowl last season. They've allowed 368 yards and six points, combined, in their last two games. Their third-ranked defense will have its hands full with Chip Kelly's dynamic offense, currently fourth in the league in points scored, despite splitting time between two mediocre quarterbacks. 

One of the most fascinating contests in Week 14 will likely come down to a few key positional battles between the two teams. The three most crucial are highlighted below.

Jeremy Maclin vs. Richard Sherman

A possible selection for NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Jeremy Maclin has established himself as a legitimate No. 1 receiver. He's producing as the Eagles hoped he would in place of DeSean Jackson, who signed with the Washington Redskins after he was released last offseason. 

Maclin has caught 71 passes for 1088 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games. Those numbers put him on pace for roughly 95 catches, 1451 yards and 12 touchdowns, which would be arguably the best season by a receiver in Eagles history. 

However, Maclin will face the toughest competition of the season on Sunday in the form of Richard Sherman, the self-proclaimed best cornerback in the game.

Sherman, the fourth-ranked corner this year by Pro Football Focus, is allowing just a 48.6 passer rating. He's allowed only 23 completions for 329 yards all season, and he intercepted two passes against Colin Kaepernick on Thanksgiving night. 

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Since Week 7 Richard Sherman has allowed an 18.8 QB rating. Suffocating. Have to wonder how productive Jeremy Maclin will be in WK14.

— Brad Evans (@YahooNoise) December 2, 2014"

Maclin, in a contract year, has an opportunity to show what he can do against one of the game's best corners. After all, despite his tremendous season, he doesn't have a signature moment at this stage.

His insane one-handed catch in the final minutes against the San Francisco 49ers has been all but forgotten. Therefore, a big game against Sherman could earn some national attention (which could help his Pro Bowl case, which could help his contact situation). 

Bennie Logan vs. Lemuel Jeanpierre

Football games are won and lost in the trenches. The Eagles will catch a big break this weekend as the Seahawks are forced to start Lemuel Jeanpierre, their fourth starting center over the past two months. 

Going against Jeanpierre will be sophomore Bennie Logan, the Eagles' nose tackle, who gained a lot of publicity when he talked the talk against the Dallas Cowboys. He then went out on the field and walked the walk, playing a big role in holding the likely rushing champion, DeMarco Murray, to just 79 yards on 20 carries. 

Logan is one of the under-the-radar players on the Eagles defense. However, against a third-string center, he has to bring his A game, both against Marshawn Lynch in the running game and quarterback Russell Wilson. 

LeSean McCoy vs. Seattle front seven

The running backs in this game are extremely crucial. Marshawn Lynch, known as Beast Mode, is one of the best running backs in the game. LeSean McCoy, the league's reigning rushing champion, is finally playing at an All-Pro level after a slow start to the 2014 season. 

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I went with McCoy as the more important of the two players because the Seahawks have a much better quarterback in Russell Wilson. 

Mark Sanchez still hasn't played two straight consistent games since taking over for Nick Foles against the Houston Texans in Week 9. He was terrific against the Carolina Panthers, brutal against the Green Bay Packers, adequate against the Tennessee Titans and terrific against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Eagles can't rely on "good Sanchez" showing up against a pass defense that features the likes of Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas. 

They're going to need to rely on LeSean McCoy in this game. The Eagles rank sixth in the NFL in rushing yards. The combination of McCoy, veteran Darren Sproles and Chris Polk will take the pressure off Sanchez, who absolutely must limit his turnovers for the Eagles to win this game. 

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LeSean McCoy needs 48 yards Sunday vs. the Seahawks to pass Wilbert Montgomery (6,538 yards) and set the #Eagles' all-time rushing mark.

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 2, 2014"

Prediction: Seattle 20, Philadelphia 16