Call it the Thrill of Victory - and the Agony of the Injuries.
The Eagles posted another impressive win in prime time Monday night vs. the Redskins. Carson Wentz again dazzled. But the Birds suffered a couple of huge injuries, losing offensive left tackle Jayson Peters, who protects Wentz's blind side, and inside linebacker Jordan Hicks for the rest of the season.
This game will present another interesting challenge for head coach Doug Pederson. So far this team has rallied behind him. Now he has to find a way to keep his team from falling into what would be the classic 'trap' game against winless San Francisco, who got blown out last week by Dallas.
And there is another big factor in Sunday's tilt. The forecast is calling for monsoon-like conditions, with rain all day. That should turn the Linc surface into a swamp and make handling the ball interesting. This is not the week to have Wentz drop back 40 to 50 times. Instead, this just might be the week to turn the keys to the Birds' offense over to LeGarrette Blount, and let him and the Birds' offensive line wear down the 49ers instead of trying to pass protect for Wentz. The Niners are one of the worst teams in the league against the run.
On defense, even without Hicks, the Eagles should be able to shut down rookie C.J. Beathard and the 49ers scuffling offense.
It likely will be an ugly, wet day, but Pederson and the Eagles should prevail.
THE PICK: Make it Eagles 24, 49ers 10. Look for an ugly game in what is expected to be an all-day downpour. The Eagles will take it, as they try to fend off any letdown coming off a Monday night win and now facing the winless 49ers. This would be a great week to have LeGarrette Blount shoulder the load and take some of the pressure off Carson Wentz on what is likely going to be a tough day for throwing the ball.
LAST WEEK: Carson Wentz and the Eagles overcame a sputtering start to roll over the Redskins. It was the kind of prime-time performance in front of a national TV audience that had sports fans buzzing across the country. But the thrill of victory was dampened by two huge injuries to offensive left tackle Jayson Peters and key linebacker Jordan Hicks. More than ever, the Birds will have to rally around their second-year QB, an MVP in the making., The impressive Monday night win of puts Doug Pederson's charges at a gaudy 6-1 mark, best in the NFL. I was on board with the win and raised my personal mark to 5-2.
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)
Eagles 26, Chargers 24. (My Pick: Chargers 27, Eagles 17)
Eagles 34, Cardinals 7. (My Pick: Eagles 29, Cardinals 24)
Eagles 28, Panthers 23. (My Pick: Panthers 26, Eagles 17)
Eagles 34, Redskins 24. (My Pick: Eagles 31, Redskins 19)
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