Can you say trap game?
The Eagles are probably still sky-high after that exhilarating win over the Giants on the strength of a miraculous 61-yard field goal from rookie kicker Jake Elliott.
Now they have to fly across the country to face the Chargers. But they're not going to San Diego. The Bolts have moved north and are now playing in L.A.
Adding to the weird feel to this game is the fact that while they wait for their new stadium to be built, the Chargers are playing in a 30,000-seat arena.
For the second straight week, the Eagles will be playing a winless team. Don't let that fool you. The Chargers are not an 0-3 team. Philip Rivers is a bona fide QB and the defense is stout with Joey Bossa sure to make it a tough afternoon for Carson Wentz.
While the Eagles topped the Giants, they got seriously banged up in the process. Fletcher Cox is not even making the trip west, not a good sign since one of the keys to this game will be getting pressure on Rivers.
The Birds also lost one of their most dynamic offensive weapons. Darren Sproles is out for the season, leaving a hole in three different areas, special teams, running the ball, and catching it out of the backfield. Expect a stead diet of Zach Ertz throws Sunday.
I don't like this matchup a bit, and see the Chargers breaking into the win column at the Eagles' expense.
THE PICK: Make it Chargers 27, Eagles 17. Doug Pederson, Carson Went and the Birds come down to Earth a bit.
LAST WEEK: Last week Doug Pederson finally did something people have been begging him to do - run the ball. He also rediscovered LeGarrette Blount, who had his best game for the Birds, but still inexplicably vanished for large parts of the game, including a couple of key short-yardage situations. Pederson still does not have a feel for how he wants to work that run game, and now he'll be forced to do it without Darren Sproles. It's time for Wendel Smallwood or Corey Clement to step up. Finally, there is 4th and eight. No, I have no idea what PEderson was thinking. But that is the kind of odd decision that is going tot cost Pederson and the Eagles a win one of these weeks.
The win lifted the Birds to a 2-1 mark, probably better than most thought they'd be at this point. I'm on a roll, now with a spotless 3-0 mark early in the season. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see them escaping L.A. with a win.
GAME BY GAME: Chiefs 27, Eagles 20. (My Pick: Chiefs 33, Eagles 17)
Eagles 30, Redskins 17. (My Pick: Eagles 26, Redskins 13)
Eagles 27, Giants 24. (My Pick: Eagles 23, Giants 17)
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