Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links … In Roob’s Observations: Mulling the futures of Sean Desai and Brian Johnson – NBCSP
1. I truly believe Brian Johnson and Sean Desai could very well be coaching for their jobs these last four weeks of the regular season. It’s not like Nick Sirianni to make knee-jerk changes, and the fact that he kept Michael Clay around and special teams has turned it around this year could affect his thinking. The Eagles are still 10-3, but these last two games have been blowouts of historic proportions. The Eagles are the first team in NFL history to open 10-1 or better and lose back-to-back games by 20 or more points at any point the rest of the season. This is only the third time in the last 50 years the Eagles lost by 20 or more points in consecutive games and the other two other times it happened, the Eagles were a losing team that was out of playoff contention – in 1998 and 2015. Both times, the head coach got fired within the next few weeks. The head coach isn’t getting fired this time, but somebody might. For both sides of the ball to collapse like they have the last two weeks is alarming. These weren’t just losses. They were largely non-competitive blowouts. This is the first time the offense has failed to score a touchdown in a meaningful regular-season game in seven years and the first time the defense has allowed at least 33 points in three straight games since 1967. Maybe both losses were the product of the 49ers and Cowboys having three extra days rest and the Eagles being worn out under the weight of too many snaps against elite teams in too short a time. But if this keeps up? If the Eagles continue to look unprepared, unimaginative and uninspired on both sides of the ball? If they fail to wrap up the NFC East when all they have to do is beat four losing teams to clinch the division and No. 2 seed? If they make a quick postseason exit? The Johnson and Desai watch will be on. Eagles vs. Seahawks stats preview – BGNThe Eagles’ defense isn’t far away from being the worst defense in the league on 3rd/4th downs and in the red zone. That sounds like a pretty abysmal combination to me. Luckily, this Seahawks team struggles on offense in the red zone and isn’t a great deal better than the Eagles’ defense in the red zone. I think the Seahawks are a decent team and have some good weapons, but some of the underlying numbers of this team are pretty bad. The Eagles should feel pretty confident if they play well. Eye on the Enemy #161: Eagles-Seahawks Preview + Both defenses stink, whose is worse? – BGN RadioField Gulls’ John Gilbert stops by to preview the Eagles-Seahawks MNF game with John Stolnis. The Right Approach – Iggles BlitzThink about some of the greatest defenses we’ve seen over the years. The 1985 Bears were a speed team that blitzed relentlessly. The 2000 Ravens were built on size. The 2002 Bucs might be the greatest pass defense of all time. Three different approaches. All led to Super Bowl wins. And those were three very different defenses. The schemes were good, but it was the players making those schemes come alive that was the real key. The Eagles have the talent to win and play good football. They have to eliminate mistakes and start making plays. That doesn’t require new schemes. That requires better execution. Of course there are times when the coaches make bad calls. No one would dispute that. But the Eagles schemes have worked fine at times this year. What needs to happen now is the coaches figuring out the best way to get the players to execute at a high level. Part of that is more practice and drilling on fundamentals. Part will be calling the right plays to bring out the best in the guys. Two straight butt-kickings should have all the players and coaches as focused as possible. Let’s hope all the work from this week pays off in Seattle. NFL Week 15 picks, schedule, odds, injuries, fantasy tips – ESPNStoryline to watch: It’s a matchup of two of the leading candidates for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, the fifth overall pick, has 3.0 sacks, 16 passes defensed and a 97-yard pick-six on his résumé. Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, chosen four spots after Witherspoon, has 4.0 sacks, six tackles for loss and the fourth-best pass rush win rate among interior defenders. With a national audience watching Monday night, this game could go a long way in determining the DROY winner. Every NFL team’s highest-graded wide receiver from Week 14 – PFFPhiladelphia Eagles: Olamide Zaccheaus (72.9). Dallas clamped down on Philadelphia in Week 14, despite A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith combining for 167 yards. Olamide Zaccheaus’ lone catch of the night came on a fake punt in the second quarter. He gained 28 yards and helped the Eagles regain some momentum, already down 10-0. Zaccheaus has only eight catches on the season, but he has gained six first downs, scored twice and recorded four gains of 15-plus yards. Spadaro: Plenty of noise for the Eagles to handle vs. Seattle – PE.comShaquille Leonard: Feeling good about Eagles defense Signed last week, linebacker Shaquille Leonard played 14 snaps against Dallas and “got my feet wet” in the Eagles’ defense. If he is called upon to do more in Seattle, Leonard says he is ready. “I’m pretty comfortable and confident in my ability,” he said. “Taking it day by day, learning more and more each day, and taking it from there.” The adjustment, Leonard says, hasn’t been a difficult one. “Football is football, it’s just learning the terminology and the style, the way the coaches want you to play,” he said. “I think that’s the main difference between teams, but besides that, just tackle the guy with the football.” Seattle has an explosive passing game and productive running backs in Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet and, yes, the goal for the Eagles is to execute on third down on Monday night. “It’s a key for every defense,” Leonard said. “When we are in those situations, we have to execute the defense and get off the field. This is part of football, part of what makes for a successful defense, so, yes, this is a priority for us.” Week 15 NFL picks: Can Lions fend off Broncos on Saturday? Cowboys or Bills on Sunday? – NFL.comWhy Tom is taking the Eagles: Philly could use a breather after a pair of blowout losses to fellow NFC heavyweights San Francisco and Dallas. It’s a bit bizarre to think of a game in Seattle — which is still 4-2 at home — as a chance to get right. But the Seahawks’ 28th-ranked defense must look awfully appealing to Jalen Hurts and Co., who have faced top-seven units in four of their past five games. Philadelphia’s struggling defense might feel the same way about Seattle’s 20th-ranked offense, especially if Drew Lock starts at QB again. Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 15 – FTN Fantasy15. Dallas Goedert, PHI at SEA. Dallas Goedert demonstrated his health with an 84% snap share in his Week 14 return from a broken forearm. But with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Quez Watkins also healthy and with Julio Jones now on the team, there may be too much talent on the Eagles roster for everyone to match their fantasy expectations. I am projecting Goedert for a 16.5% target share in Week 15 that ties him for just 15th at his position. You may have better options for fantasy. Geno Smith: I’m better every day, we’ll see about Monday – PFTSeahawks quarterback Geno Smith is pushing to play after missing last Sunday with a groin injury, but it’s too soon to know if he’ll be ready to go on Monday night. Smith injured his groin in practice last week, but was able to get back on the field for the team’s practice on Thursday. During a Friday press conference, Smith said his condition has improved before adding that “we’ll see” what happens against the Eagles. Seahawks vs. Eagles Week 15 preview: A losing streak will end…