Carson Wentz once again dropped a perfect pass into Nelson Agholor's hands in the end zone in the final seconds of last Sunday's showdown with the Patriots. He catches it, the game is likely tied and headed to overtime. We all know how that one turned out.
Even on a day when he did not play well, Wentz gave the Eagles a chance. But they came up short. It is quickly becoming his calling card - not making a crucial play in the final minutes of close games.
Is it fair? Probably not. But that's life for an NFL quarterback. Wentz does not have a lot of weapons on offense. He did not get a lot of help from his coach last week when they abandoned early success with their 'ground and pound' attack. Instead, Pederson had Wentz constantly dropping back looking for a big play. It did not go well.
It likely is not going to improve Sunday against an 8-2 Seattle Seahawks team. Lane Johnson will not be at right tackle, still dealing with concussion issues. It is not a coincidence that the Eagles' offense went nowhere at the same time Johnson left Sunday's game.
Lead back Jordan Howard is questionable. As is Alshon Jeffery. Somehow Pederson must find a way to squeeze enough offense out of this crew to get a win.
On the other side of the ball, the Eagles will have their hands full against one of the league's premier quarterbacks. It does not help that Russell Wilson has had their number. The Birds' defense has feasted on less than offensive juggernauts this year, and I would include Brady and the Patriots on that list. The Pats did not exactly look exceptional last weekend.
But this defensive unit is vastly improved from earlier in the season. The secondary is not giving up those huge plays that constantly gashed them a few weeks ago.
But Wilson will be their biggest challenge to date. He makes plays with his legs, but usually only to find time until he spots a receiver downfield. He is incredibly adept at getting just enough for first downs.
The Eagles desperately need their defense to shorten the field for their offense.
I'll believe it when I see it.
The Seahawks are coming off a bye and also just happen to be 5-0 on the road.
I see them making it 6-0 Sunday.
THE PICK: Make it Seahawks 26, Eagles 17. The Eagles are going as far as Carson Wentz carries them. Against Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, he won't carry them far enough.
LAST WEEK: I actually didn't expect the game to be that close. But on a day when Tom Brady and the Patriots looked very beatable, the Eagles' offense took most of the day off. My pick of the Pats raised my mark to a respectable 6-4. Meanwhile another ugly loss dropped the Birds to 5-5, a game behind the Cowboys. Now they need to hope the Patriots can repay them by knocking off the Cowboys Sunday. If they do and the Eagles can find enough offense to beat the Seahawks, the Eagles will once again control their own destiny.
GAME BY GAME: Eagles 32, Redskins 27. (My Pick: Eagles 27, Redskins 13)
Falcons 24, Eagles 20. (My Pick: Falcons 29, Eagles 27)
Lions 27, Eagles 24: (My Pick: Eagles 26, Lions 23)
Eagles 34, Packers 27 (My Pick: Packers 33, Eagles 23)
Eagles 31, Jets 6 (My Pick: Eagles 31, Jets 13)
Vikings 38, Eagles 20 (My Pick: Vikings 27, Eagles 26)
Cowboys 37, Eagles 10 (My Pick: Eagles 24, Cowboys 23)
Eagles 31, Bills 13 (My Pick: Bills 23, Eagles 17)
Eagles 22, Bears 14 (My Pick: Eagles 23, Bears 16)
Patriots 17, Eagles 10 (My Pick: Patriots 31, Eagles 17)
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