5 Bold Predictions for the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 17 Matchup

The Philadelphia Eagles completed one of the worst in-season collapses in franchise history when they lost 27-24 to the Washington Redskins on Saturday. They were eliminated the following day when the Dallas Cowboys thrashed the Indianapolis Colts to clinch the NFC East title.

The Eagles, who boasted a 9-3 record with an outside chance at securing a first-round bye just two-and-a-half weeks ago, will not make the playoffs in Chip Kelly's second year. It's an extremely disappointing end to a season that started off so strong. The Eagles were 3-0, 5-1, 7-2 and 9-3 before collapsing in December. 

It's no secret that injuries killed the season for the Eagles, as starting quarterback Nick Foles and linebacker DeMeco Ryans were each lost for the season against the Houston Texans in Week 9. Throughout the year, guard Evan Mathis, center Jason Kelce and linebacker Mychal Kendricks also missed at least five games with injuries. 

But in the end, the Eagles' failure to reach the postseason had more to do with their inability to defeat good teams. They lost to five NFC playoff contenders throughout the season, coming within a yard of defeating both the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals. It's not a stretch to say that if the Eagles had managed to reach the postseason, they would have been knocked out in their first game. 

For now, the focus is still on the final game of the season. The Eagles travel to New York to play the surging New York Giants, a 6-9 team riding a three-game winning streak. Despite an opportunity to give backups some much-needed playing time, Kelly stated that he will play all his regular starters in Week 17. 

Mark Sanchez Benched in Second Half

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

There's no reason for the Eagles to play Mark Sanchez in this game. The former first-round pick is a free agent after the season. Whether the Eagles bring him back as their backup quarterback will not change based on his performance in a meaningless season finale. 

It makes all the sense in the world to start 2013 fourth-round draft pick Matt Barkley, who struggled in limited action last year. He played poorly, but more than a year later, the Eagles could use this game to see if he's progressed.

Sanchez, who has 17 interceptions and fumbles total in just seven starts, has been a complete turnover machine. Even though Kelly says he won't start Barkley this weekend, I expect him to allow the former USC star a chance to play after two first-half turnovers for Sanchez. 

Expectations are low for Barkley, but don't be surprised if he looks like a completely different quarterback from the overwhelmed rookie of 2013. 

12 Catches for Zach Ertz

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

One of the big complaints about Chip Kelly this season has been his infrequent use of tight end Zach Ertz. A second-round pick in 2013, Ertz was expected to produce a breakout season in 2014 but entered Week 16 with a very similar stat line to his rookie year. He's also played fewer than 40 snaps per game, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). 

He exploded for the best game of his career against the Washington Redskins, catching 15 passes for 119 yards. It's hard to see an outburst like that and not feel like he has a chance to do it again the following week. 

Expect another big game from Ertz. I'm calling for 12 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, which would give Ertz a somewhat-deceiving final stat line of 66 catches, 739 yards and four scores. 

Odell Beckham Scores Three Touchdowns

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

What's left to say about Odell Beckham that hasn't already been said? The first-round rookie is one of the most explosive receivers in the NFL. He's as physically gifted as any rookie receiver since Randy Moss, and he's making catches that, quite frankly, we've never seen before.

In 11 games, he's caught 79 passes for 1,120 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Eagles actually held him to his worst game as a pro in Week 5, as Beckham caught just two passes for 28 yards. 

But over the last eight games, Beckham has caught 69 balls for 1,014 yards and eight touchdowns. Project those numbers over a full year and he'd set the single-season record for receiving yards while finishing second in receptions. 

Against Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher in Week 17, Beckham should be able to do whatever he wants. Literally, whatever he wants. 

My realistic over-under for Beckham's receiving yards is 100, and I'll take the over. He should be able to score multiple touchdowns, as fade patterns in the red zone have burned the Eagles all season. Actually, come to think about it, any pass pattern has burned the Eagles all season long. 

Mark Beckham down for six catches, 134 yards and three touchdowns, which would give him a final rookie season total of 85 catches, 1,254 yards and 14 touchdowns. I'm pretty sure rookie receivers aren't supposed to be that good, especially in just three-quarters of a season. 

Bradley Fletcher Benched at Halftime

Elsa/Getty Images

Bradley Fletcher has been the worst starting cornerback in the National Football League this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he's allowed 1,072 yards, 17.6 yards per catch and nine touchdown passes. Each is the worst in the NFL. 

Yet he's continuously been left in single coverage by head coach Chip Kelly, who reiterated to reporters that he has control over all in-game decisions involving players. 

Kelly insists that Fletcher has played well this season. He hasn't yet announced who will start at cornerback in Week 17, although I think it'll be Fletcher. But, in a state of irony, I expect the Eagles head coach to bench Fletcher at halftime.

Benching Fletcher would be a slap in the face to this fanbase. It would be insulting and almost condescending. The season will be 96.875 percent over at halftime, for what it's worth. 

Dime cornerback Nolan Carroll will play the final two quarters, but don't expect a player who's barely played this season, and who is quite frankly no match for Odell Beckham, to play well.

Eagles Win in Overtime to Collect 10th Win

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

The Eagles have absolutely nothing to play for in their final game. It's the first time for the Eagles in the Chip Kelly era, and the first time for Chip since late in the 2003 season. 

The Giants, 6-9, have been eliminated for weeks, but they're riding a three-game winning streak. Eli Manning has played well this season, Odell Beckham is unstoppable and the Giants will likely look to extract revenge for their embarrassing 27-0 shutout loss at the hands of the Eagles on Sunday Night Football in Week 5.

Yet, for some unknown reason, I am picking the Eagles to win this game. It'll likely anger the fanbase whether this team wins or loses. Win, and everybody talks about how the Eagles win the meaningless game when they couldn't win three must-win games in Weeks 14, 15 and 16. Lose, and everybody complains about the embarrassing four-game losing streak to end the season after the 9-3 start. 

The Eagles have themselves to thank for the situation they're in. But in the end, they're ultimately a better team than the Giants. Despite Manning and Beckham, look for the Eagles to take this one. I picked 27-24 in overtime, which would be the team's first overtime victory since midway through the 2004 season.