The Eagles are one day away from an important divisional clash with the New York Giants. The good news is that help is finally on the way. The bad news is that it may be negated.
In positive news, DeSean Jackson will return to the lineup after missing the last 3 games with a hamstring injury. He has 121 yards on 10 receptions so far and having his game-breaking speed in place of John Hightower’s inconsistency might be the perfect boost this offense needed.
Adding to the reinforcements is Lane Johnson, whose presence has been sorely missed at RT against two of the league’s top defenses. It’s debatable whether or not the Eagles should’ve let Johnson rest up knowing that a bye week is ahead and the next two games (divisional) are among the easiest opponents they’ll face all year, but his return would be huge for an Eagles offense that has surrendered constant pressure, and allowed over 30 QB hits on Wentz in 2 games.
Avonte Maddox will return to CB2, which is big news for the secondary, although Maddox hasn’t enjoyed the smoothest of starts to life on the outside. A somewhat tamer Giants offense may give him a nice stepping-stone.
On the downside, Jack Driscoll effectively tags out Lane Johnson and brings both Zach Ertz and Miles Sanders with him. As if the Eagles weren’t already struggling, their offense now loses its last two stars for what could be multiple weeks.
Malik Jackson has been the biggest standout DT on the Eagles this season and it’s not close. If there’s ever a game for Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave to step up, this is it.
All-in-all: Just make sure you tape all remote controls to the couch prior to the game in order to prevent one being launched at the television.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
