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The Philadelphia Eagles made it back to the playoffs to defend their NFC title. Their season has been a tale of two halves. They looked great through the first 11 games going 10-1 but then stumbled down the stretch to lose the NFC East crown to the Cowboys. If they are going to make it back to the Super Bowl, it will have to be as a wild card team. Here is the Philadelphia Eagles playoff preview.
Philadelphia Eagles Playoff Preview
The Eagles are not in the position that any team wants to be in. Teams want to be on a winning streak going into the playoffs. The Eagles have lost back-to-back weeks to the Cardinals and the Giants which caused them to get the fifth seed in the NFC. They will have to head to Tampa Bay to take on Baker Mayfield and the Bucs. Despite the losing streak, this team still has plenty of talent, especially on the offensive end. Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert can still give defenses fits and the “Tush Push” is still unstoppable. Even on a losing streak, this team isn’t one to overlook.
Philadelphia Eagles Playoff Preview: Why They Will Win
The Eagles have the offensive firepower to hang with any team. If they can find their groove again, it will be tough to outscore them. Their efficiency in short-yardage situations can prolong drives and keep opposing offenses off the field. On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive line has to create pressure. If the plethora of talent that the team has can generate a ton of pressure, it won’t matter what is happening in the secondary. This team also has the advantage of having been there before. They won’t be scared of the moment and could give teams a run for their money.
Philadelphia Eagles Playoff Preview: Why They Won’t Win
This one seems pretty obvious but the defense is what is going to prevent this team from winning. To say this defense is struggling would be an understatement. This defense is flat-out bad. They blew a 21-6 halftime lead to the Cardinals and followed it up by allowing Tyrod Taylor to move the ball up and down the field. The offense basically has to be perfect which isn’t realistic. The Eagles made a change to Matt Patricia and it went about as well as you would expect. Major defensive changes have to happen for them to win and that is almost impossible to do this late in the season.
Playoff X-Factor
Philadelphia Eagles playoff preview X-factor: Darius Slay
We’ve seen Slay rise to the occasion in big moments. They don’t call him “Big Play Slay” for nothing. While the defensive line could create more pressure, the Eagles have to be able to cover receivers. If Slay can lock down the number one option, it could swing some games. He gets a tough assignment right away with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. If Slay can be a shutdown corner for three weeks, this team might have a chance in a couple of games.
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If you were to ask me to write a Philadelphia Eagles playoff preview two months ago, it would have been very different. This freefall that this team is in is mind-boggling. If they get bounced on Wild Card Weekend, it will be interesting to see what changes come to the franchise.
