Wild Card Weekend is set to come to a close this Sunday afternoon when the Seattle Seahawks are set to travel Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
This is the only post season game that serves as a rematch of a previously played game in the regular season. When Seattle traveled to Philly, they to the emerald city with a 17-9 W. Pete Carroll’s defense forced Carson Wentz to commit 4 of the teams total 5 turnovers.
Seattle gutted out an impressive 7-1 record on the road in 2019. (7-0 *East Coast)
Although Wentz did play his worst game as a pro, Russel Wilson was also feeling the heat from a ferocious defensive front. Jim Schwartz’s defense blitzed Wilson and the Seahawks more than 50%. 5 of the Eagles 6 sacks came off the blitz. Russel Wilson has only completed 40% of his passes when pressured this season, which is tied for 6th worst in the league.
When Wilson was not scrambling, he was most effective against the Eagles in the first match-up, going 8 for 14 for 164 and 1 TD while not being pressured.
Currently, Wilson ranks second to only Tom Brady in postseason victories and TD’s since entering the league in 2012. His playoff record is an astonishing 9-6 with two Super Bowl appearances, and one championship.
Veteran Marshawn Lynch makes his 2nd start since returning to Seattle, so look for him to have an increased role in the Seahawks banged up backfield.
On the road, Wilson and the Hawks are just 2-4 since 2012 during playoff play.
The Philadelphia Eagles will have to pressure Wilson, Fletcher Cox if they hope to win this game. Fellow veteran Malcom Jenkins has played every single defensive snap for two consecutive seasons has his secondary playing better. D.K Metcalf and Tyler Lockett against an injured Eagles secondary could be a difference maker in this matchup.
Brandon Graham will also look to contribute to getting after Wilson as well. He has also been the best run stopper for the birds this season, with 15 TFL’s. (Tackles For Loss)
Speaking of defense, Philly has allowed the least amount of rush yards a game out of all playoff qualifiers (90 YPG). The unit is not only #1 in that lone category.
At home (specifically) Philly’s defense ranks 1st in Total QBR, 1st Downs PG, Average Drive Distance, and Point Per Drive. Overall the defense is allowing 12 points less at home per game. Philadelphia fans are notorious for their crowd noise during their home field advantage.
Carson Wentz has turned in around in the month of December, going 4-1, winning the final four along the stretch. Wentz is always a main reason the Eagles emerge victorious.
In the teams 9 regular season wins, Wentz went on to throw 16 TD’s and 0 INT’s. 19 of his 27 passing TD’s came courtesy of the Red Zone, which displays great efficiency in offensive analytics. Carson also deserves a-lot of credit for becoming the first QB ever to throw for over 4,000 yards without having a single receiver eclipse at least 500 yards. Injuries hit the Eagles receiving corps HARD.
Philadelphia has lost their last two home Wild Card playoff games. Contrary to that stat, team has made the post season the past three seasons though under head coach Doug Pederson.
Both teams are extremely injured. Philly was able to go on a winning streak before making the playoffs, as opposed to Seattle who started to slip towards the end of the season.
One QB has a plethora of playoff experience, while the other has not even played a post season snap…
Seahawks vs Eagles should provide us with the closest playoff game of wild card weekend. Both squads are decimated after suffering numerous injuries, and both have quality head coaches who have coached in the playoffs as well.
Lincoln Financial Field will certainly be rocking this Sunday…
The Seahawks lead the Eagles in the all-time series 10-7
407 Eagles 