The Eagles are just one day away from the most special day of the year and not just because it’s Christmas. They have an opportunity to secure a home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win over the Raiders. hTis of course calls for some bold predictions. After correctly predicting two situations last week, we sit 24/65 on the season. Can we guess 5/5 for the first time all year?
Keeping it tight:
In 2013, Nick Foles made NFL history by throwing seven touchdown passes against the opponent he faces tomorrow. Among those that caught a touchdown reception was a then rookie tight end, Zach Ertz. This season, the Raiders have given up over 950 yards (most in the NFL) to opposing tight ends, along with 5 touchdowns.
Zach Ertz has been having an astonishing season, but he’s only received for 100 yards once this year. My first bold prediction is for Ertz to amass 100+ yards against Oakland and score 2 touchdowns, haunting a team that has been unable pos top traffic over the middle all year long.
Santa’s sleigh:
The Eagles rushing attack appears to be back to its old dominant ways and this does not bode well for a Raiders defense that gave up 116 yards to Kareem Hunt just two weeks ago. Enter a very angry-running Jay Ajayi, who has 32 carries in his last two games, and a supporting cast of versatile bruisers. The Birds have the second most dominant rushing in the NFL behind only Jacksonville and with home field advantage in their corner, expect Pederson to dictate the tempo through play on the ground.
Secondly, I predict the Eagles to pick up 150 yards of rushing against a tired and traveling west-coast Raiders defense.
The gift of giving:
Missing a Pro Bowl can sting. If you’re Brandon Graham and have 9.5 sacks on the season, also in search of a big payday, then that fire is only going to burn brighter. The Cowboys and Pro Bowler DeMarcus Lawrence were unable to bring down Derek Carr once last week. So I’m expecting Brandon Graham to take that personally.
For my third bold prediction, Brandon Graham will surpass 10 sacks on the season by bringing down Derek Carr, netting himself a nice $250k bonus in his contract and making a very firm statement. Talking of statements…
Darby responds:
It was a tough day at the office for Ronald Darby last week, giving up a touchdown, two key penalties and some big receptions. It wasn’t all bad however, as we broke down earlier this week.
Darby will now have to line up against potentially both Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, depending on how Jack Del Rio decides to deploy his passing attack. Expect plenty of intermediate passes again and some of the same tendencies that the Giants showed last Sunday. This could prove problematic for Darby, or it could spark a focused resurgence.
Penultimately, I’m predicting Darby to pick off a pass in his second consecutive game and break up 3 passes…showing just how high his ceiling really is.
Big V’s big day:
Another Eagle who has struggled in recent weeks has been Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Christmas Day won’t exactly get easier as the elusive Kahlil Mack is set to line up all over the Raiders defensive front. However, we all love Christmas miracles. My final bold prediction is for Vaitai to hold his own, surrendering no sacks and having his cleanest game as an Eagle so far.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
