The Philadelphia Eagles are in a crucial position as they need to win their next two games to secure their division win for the second consecutive year. Winning both games could also give them an outside chance at the top seed in the NFC. Their first challenge will be against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. While the Cardinals haven’t had a great season, they have shown some unexpected strength under Jonathan Gannon, making them a formidable opponent. In this game, the performance of the Eagles rookies could play a significant role in securing another victory for the team.
Where does Jalen Carter stand in the defensive line rotation?
Last week, Jalen Carter’s snap count was noticeably reduced, with Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, and Fletcher Cox playing more early downs. This raised some questions about the decision to decrease the playing time of the Eagles’ youngest and most talented defensive lineman. However, there have been discussions about Carter’s high snap count potentially impacting his performance, so it is possible that the coaching staff is allowing him to take more of a breather and focus on being a pass-rushing specialist. As the Eagles prepare to face the Cardinals, they will need Carter to deliver big plays, particularly in putting pressure on Arizona’s explosive offense led by Kyler Murray. Getting to Murray early and often could be crucial in neutralizing the Cardinals’ offensive threat.
Do we see more creative Nolan Smith usage?
Nolan Smith’s role in the Eagles’ defense has been expanding and evolving. In the previous game, he was given some playing time as a linebacker in 5-1-5 packages, indicating the team’s desire to make the most of his athleticism in various ways. It is possible that Smith could be assigned to spy on Kyler Murray in the upcoming game, considering his recent impactful plays and growing comfort with the speed of the NFL.
There are a million ways the secondary could look on Sunday.
The Eagles currently do not have a definitive top cornerback with Darius Slay sidelined. However, they do have a number of solid options in their cornerback lineup. Kelee Ringo has impressed in his two starts this season and is expected to be a mainstay on the outside of the defense. Eli Ricks has also shown improvement after a rough period in the middle of the season, gaining experience playing in the slot and on the outside. James Bradberry has been deployed as a slot cornerback after struggling against the Seahawks, while Bradley Roby continues to perform adequately in a limited role. The potential return of Avonte Maddox could further shake up the cornerback lineup, with Maddox likely to take slot snaps from Roby, Bradberry, and Ricks. Ringo is expected to maintain his spot on the outside, while the rest of the cornerback group may see considerable rotation. In the safety position, Reed Blankenship and Kevin Byard will be key players, with Sydney Brown also expected to contribute as a slot defender and nickel linebacker.
