Inside the matchup Seahawks vs. Eagles

The Seahawks win last week over the Cardinals and the Rams win over Tampa Bay gives both teams an identical 7-3 record with six games left to play. Seahawks fans may have been hoping for the Buccaneers to beat the Rams in the Monday Night Football game, but the result could ultimately help the Seahawks playoff seeding.

As I mentioned last week, Seattle’s schedule is favorable for the next four games playing the Eagles, Giants, Jets, and Washington. After that, they have two remaining division games. One at home against the Rams could decide the division champion and another on the road against the 49ers.

The Rams schedule is more difficult with a game against the 49ers, whom they lost once to this season, then two games against Arizona, and a game in Seattle. It’s not hard to envision a scenario where the Rams lose more games down the stretch than Seattle.

On to this week’s matchup, the Philadelphia Eagles currently lead the NFC East with a 3-6-1 record. Their only win outside of their division came against the 49ers early in the season. Some commentators are calling for Eagles’ quarterback Carson Wentz to be benched. That would leave the Eagles with rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts has had limited action this year, completing two passes in as many attempts. He has also fumbled the ball three times in just twelve rushing attempts, although he recovered all three fumbles. I’d be surprised if he is this week’s starting quarterback.

Wentz is having the worst year of his professional career in several categories. He has already had fourteen interceptions this year, which is twice his average over the last three seasons. His completion percentage is down to 58.4 percent, a career-low. On top of that, he has been sacked an average of four times per game, which is an unfortunate career high. However, Wentz is having a good year running the ball with five rushing touchdowns, averaging almost five yards per carry, both career highs.

Miles Sanders is Philadelphia’s featured running back this season, averaging 83.6 yards per game. Boston Scott and Carson Wentz account for most of the other carries. Sander’s last touchdown was four weeks ago against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Philadelphia’s receiving core is a bit of a mess. Travis Fulgham is the team’s leading receiver with 451 yards in seven games. Unfortunately, tight-end Zach Ertz has missed four games with an ankle injury and is a big reason the Eagles are struggling on offense.

The questionable list for this week’s game is much shorter than last week’s. The Seahawks listed as questionable this week are Jordan Simmons G, Shaquill Griffin CB, Ethan Pocic G, Travis Homer RB, Chris Carson RB, and Brandon Shell OT.