NFC Wild Card
(5) Seattle Seahawks at (4) Philadelphia Eagles
Seahawks: One yard decided their playoff positioning. If they score that touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the season finale last Sunday night, they would win the NFC West and be locked into the three seed meaning they’d host a playoff game. It didn’t necessarily pan out that way. They were already in the playoffs once again; we just didn’t know their seeding. Now, we see they’re the five seed once again for the second straight season. Ever since their loss to the Los Angeles Rams, I haven’t liked the way the Seattle Seahawks have looked. In their final four games of the regular season, they lost three of the four. They almost lost to the Carolina Panthers in week 15 because they let them back in the game, but they were able to hold on for the victory. The Seattle offense has carried the team this year. It all starts and ends with Russell Wilson. He put together the best season of his career throwing for more than 4,000 yards and 30 touchdown passes. In his arsenal, he has two dependable wide receivers who are quietly becoming one of the better tandems in the league in Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. I have absolutely no issues with their offense. It’s the defense that makes me nervous. In the finale last week, I saw a lot of missed tackles. They have their spurts where you see them get after the quarterback, then they just stop. The secondary has also been their biggest weakness this year because they give up many big plays down the field. For Seattle to make a run, they need production from their running backs who must remain healthy. They’ll wrap up Wild Card Weekend with a rematch against the NFC East champions.
Eagles: You never count them out. Early on, they were beyond inconsistent. One week, they showed flashes of the 2017 team that just breezed through everyone. Then the next week, they wouldn’t bother to show up. That’s the 2019 Philadelphia Eagles for you. When they were 5-7, I think everyone counted them out. There was no way they could get into the playoffs with so much ground to make up. What saved their season was the Monday night win over the New York Giants. All they needed was one win to get back into a rhythm and all would fall into place. When a team has been decimated by the injury bug, you’d think they’d be done. They’ve been without DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, Zach Ertz has a fractured rib, Darren Sproles and Corey Clement are both on injured reserve, Jordan Howard was out for two months with a shoulder injury and now, they add another name to the list. The Eagles lost offensive guard Brandon Brooks. Despite that, here they are. They won out to win the NFC East for the second time in three seasons. This is a group of warriors that continues to fight each game. They truly play like it’s their last. Football truly is the sport that embodies the “next man up” saying. With all the pieces they’ve lost to the injury list, others have stepped up. The Eagles have been able to survive with running back Boston Scott and wide receivers Greg Ward, Robert Davis and Deontay Burnett, all of whom spent significant time on the practice squad this season. They still were able to win the final four games and finish 9-7, averaging 27.8 points per game during the win streak. To advance, they’ll need to take down the Seahawks.
Seahawks Player to Watch: Shaquill Griffin– His presence was truly missed in the loss on Sunday. Shaquill has been one of their best defensive players this year. He’s a cornerback that plays like a safety. Each defense has that enforcer. The guy that can make that hit to rejuvenate the entire team. Not only can he cover, but he can also attack the line of scrimmage to make a tackle in the open field. He does it all.
Eagles Player to Watch: Dallas Goedert– Since Zach Ertz has been injured, he’s been one of the names that have stepped it up. He may not be as athletic as Zach, but he can do damage with the football in his hands. He reminds me of an old-school tight end. He brings that mentality to the position. They use him a lot on screens which enables him to work his way up the field for additional yards.
Final Analysis: This is what will wrap up the first round of Wild Card weekend. These two met a few months ago back in November. When they met the first time, I thought it was one of the better games played by Seattle because it was an all-around win for them. In that game, the Seahawks displayed balance on the offensive side of the ball and defense, they held a good Eagles offense in check. It was a game Seattle had to grind out. A few months later, both teams are different. Seattle has been injured. They’ve struggled to establish the running game hence why they lured Marshawn Lynch out of retirement. Running the ball was what helped the Seahawks win over the Eagles in their regular-season meeting. As beat up as the Eagles are, they’ve been tremendous at stopping the run this year. Philly’s defensive line will come ready to play. The Seahawks must attack that lackluster Eagles secondary by using Lockett and Metcalf as often as possible. For the Eagles: the defensive line must stay in control. It’s imperative that they don’t run past Russell. Keep him in the pocket and in front of them. Control his elusiveness.
Prediction: Seahawks 27 Eagles 24
