The Eagles are just hours away from what promises to be one of the most action-packed games of the season, a rivalry clash under the Sunday Night spotlight with the Dallas Cowboys. These games often see stars born and legacies made..which also fits very well with our five bold predictions series.
We’re now 10/25 this season after predicting Dorial Green-Beckham’s first Eagles touchdown against the Vikings. The aim is to hit above 25%..but we think we can do better. Here are today’s five bold predictions:
Trick or treat:
Ezekiel Elliott has been tearing the league to shreds in recent weeks, rushing for over 100 yards in each of his last three games and tallying five touchdowns on the season. But against a stout Eagles run Defense, he could be in for a very tough night.
The Eagles run D has been brilliant, with the exception of being blown open against the Redskins. The unit rebounded well but will now be tested against a very dominant Dallas Offensive Line and a rookie running back who may have a slight chip on his shoulder.
Without Bennie Logan, the odds are stacked against the Eagles run Defense..but a recent linebacker emergence and a huge win over Minnesota will shroud the team in confidence. I’m predicting that the Eagles will hold Elliott to under 100 yards rushing in tonight’s game.
Hungry Hicks:
Jordan Hicks had a huge game against the Vikings, so much so that his stat line almost looks like a video game. Eleven tackles, a sack and two pass defenses saw Hicks explode on to the scene..and for the Cowboys, that’s a scene all too familiar.
In the two games Hicks played against the Cowboys last season, he totaled 14 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and of course the first #HicksSix. The former Texas linebacker has a habit of showing up in the City he used to play in..and that’s exactly what I think he will do tonight.
Hicks is coming off of a career high in tackles and is looking much more comfortable in the new Defensive system, especially now the blitzes have started to rack up. I’m predicting that Jordan Hicks will be prominent once again, making 8 tackles and sacking Dak Prescott.
Rotational firepower:
The Eagles may be without Bennie Logan, but in his place they have quite the arsenal. From Undrafted Destiny Vaeao, to Beau Allen and the now re-acquired Taylor Hart, rotation will not only keep Dallas on their toes, but perhaps bring a different edge to the front four.
Schwartz is facing his former Lions Offensive Coordinator, which means this will be incredibly tactical. My third prediction is that Vaeao, Allen and Hart will all register at least two tackles..continuing to unnerve a very stable Dallas Offensive line.
Running through the storm:
The Eagles backfield has struggled to find consistency so far this season. Be that through shape, or simple ball security..a problem Ryan Mathews continues to battle with.
The Cowboys are yet to allow 100 rushing yards by a single running back..but with so much focus on Carson Wentz, the Eagles committee backfield may have some leverage to spring a surprise or two.
My penultimate prediction is that Ryan Mathews, Kenjon Barner and Wendell smallwood will all rush for a minimum of 30 yards, while Darren Sproles contributes heavily in the screen game.
The Three Musketeers:
Week one’s win over the Browns painted such a beautiful picture of the Eagles Offense. Jordan Matthews caught a perfectly placed pass for a touchdown and Zach Ertz received for 58-yards. But since then, the production of Matthews and Ertz has stagnated.
Against the Cowboys however and now eight weeks into the season, the Eagles Offense should be rolling full steam ahead. Wentz is developing each and every week and even though he may not be lighting the league up as he did in his opening few games, the growth is clearly still there.
Chemistry will be one of the most important features in this matchup..and if Wentz can look to Ertz and Matthews to make things happen and rely on them to do so, the slumps may finally end.
Wentz has a much easier test against the Dallas Defense in terms of dealing with a pass rush and should be able to settle in much easier behind his Offensive Line, who are beginning to move on from the loss of Lane Johnson. With this in mind, I’m predicting Wentz to throw for 250 yards and a touchdown to both Ertz and Matthews..who will also both receive for 50 yards.
