Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY)

Eagles 1-and-done in playoffs minus Wentz

- By Rob Maaddi

The Eagles will be one-and-done in the playoffs.

Nick Foles has struggled in two of his starts filling in for Carson Wentz and the offense has only scored 13 points in the last two games. Despite being the No. 1 seed, Philadelph­ia (13-3) might even be an underdog against the Saints, Panthers or Falcons in the divisional round.

Foles can’t possibly outplay Drew Brees, Cam Newton or Matt Ryan in a shootout. The Eagles would be better off with Nate Sudfeld.

That’s a double dose of overreacti­ons to dissect.

Starting Sudfeld over Foles isn’t happening. Sudfeld just made his NFL debut. Foles tossed four touchdown passes against the Giants only two weeks ago. The offense is in a funk but the starters

played just one quarter in a 6-0 loss against the Cowboys.

Perhaps they could’ve fixed their problems if they stayed in.

Foles isn’t Wentz. That’s obvious. But coach Doug Pederson isn’t benching him for a guy who hadn’t thrown a pass until Sunday.

The Eagles have the league’s third-ranked rushing attack and a strong defense. They also have home-field advantage. Don’t count them out just yet.

Here are other overreacti­ons from Week 17:

Overreacti­on

Hue Jackson has what it takes to turn the Browns around after surviving an 0-16 season.

Realistic Reaction

His 1-31 record says otherwise.

•••

Overreacti­on

The Rams are the team nobody wants to face in the playoffs.

Realistic Reaction

They’re inexperien­ced and might not get past Atlanta in the wild-card round.

•••

Overreacti­on

Jon Gruden will return to the Raiders and win that Super Bowl he failed to deliver his first time in Oakland.

Realistic Reaction

He has to accept the job first.

•••

Overreacti­on

Josh McDaniels will win wherever he goes if he decides to leave New England.

Realistic Reaction

It’s easier to win with Tom Brady than without him.

•••

Overreacti­on

Kansas City got the best draw of wild-card weekend against Tennessee (9-7).

Realistic Reaction

The Chiefs went 5-6 after a 5-0 start. No opponent will be easy for them.

•••

Overreacti­on

Nobody outside Buffalo and Jacksonvil­le cares about the Bills-Jaguars wild-card game.

Realistic Reaction

This could be the best game of the weekend.

•••

Overreacti­on

The Saints will struggle against the Panthers because it’s hard to beat the same team three times in one season.

Realistic Reaction

Teams who’ve swept the regular-season series are 11-5 in those situations in the playoffs since 1990.

 ?? MICHAEL PEREZ - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Philadelph­ia Eagles’ Nick Foles passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Philadelph­ia.
MICHAEL PEREZ - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Philadelph­ia Eagles’ Nick Foles passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Philadelph­ia.

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