Schedule about to get more difficult for 10-1 Eagles
PHILADELPHIA » The Eagles play winning teams in back-to-back games for the first time this season when they hit the road for a West Coast trip through Seattle and Los Angeles starting this Sunday.
How big of a deal is that? Statistically the Eagles have played the second-softest schedule in the league. The winning percentage of their opponents is just 44 percent. Fittingly, the trip begins with the Seahawks, who have played the easiest schedule in the league.
It’s kind of a dry playoff run for the Eagles, who clinch a playoff berth if the Washington Redskins beat or tie the Dallas Cowboys Thursday night.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our football team, an impressive set of challenges for us,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson
said Monday. “We’re going against, this week, an opponent that’s been to the Super Bowl. They have been in the postseason. It’s a talented football team despite the injury situation. And obviously you’re playing in that loud stadium. Fans are crazy up there and they are excitable. It’s a great test for us in the month of December when teams need to be playing their best football. It will be a great opportunity for our guys to start something and to continue what we’ve begun, hopefully during this stretch.”
The Eagles have won four straight games by 23 or more points. And they’ve certainly gotten help from their opponents. The San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Cowboys and Chicago Bears are a collective 12-32 (.375).
The Seahawks (7-4) and the Rams (8-3) top the NFC West division. The Rams play a lot like the Eagles in that they score a ton of points and play solid situational defense.
Instead of C.J. Beathard, Brock Osweiler, Dak Prescott and Mitch Trubisky the Eagles step up in class to take on quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jared Goff.
“We’ve played against good quarterbacks,” safety Malcolm Jenkins said. “I mean, we’ve got a lot of respect for (Wilson) and what he’s done. Even that entire team. That atmosphere, it’s a special place. It’s tough to go in there and get wins. That defense, regardless of who they’ve got out there is well-coached, disciplined. They fly around, they hit. Their offense, they make plays. Obviously, they’ve got a great tight end in Jimmy Graham. Doug Baldwin is probably the most underrated receiver in the league. He’s constantly making plays. And they’ve got one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league. We don’t take that challenge lightly.”
Jenkins declined comment about Goff, who’s having a stellar season, explaining “We’ll get to that when we get to it.”
The Eagles play in Seattle Sunday night, then jet straight to Anaheim, Calif., to prepare for the Rams.
*** How anyone could tell if Jay Ajayi was upset by remarks made in the wake of getting just seven touches Sunday remains a mystery. Here are the facts:
Ajayi got 22 snaps, five carries and two passes thrown to him in the 31-3 win over the Bears. He fumbled into the end zone, where Nelson Agholor recovered for a touchdown.
LeGarrette Blount got 37 snaps, good for 15 touches worth 97 yards. He also fumbled and was part of a bad exchange with Nick Foles resulting in another lost fumble.
Rookie Corey Clement got 15 snaps on offense, contributing four rushes for 27 yards and a 12-yard reception.
Kenjon Barner got four snaps with zero carries or receptions.
Asked about the work distribution among the backs, Ajayi said, “It’s the coach’s call. You take advantage of the opportunities when you get them.”
While some interpreted that as unhappiness, Pederson said nothing could be further from the truth ... not that he doesn’t stretch the truth, at times.
“Had a chance to speak with him this morning,” Pederson said Monday. “He’s fine. He’s so excited to be here, obviously. He’s on a winning football team, contributes any way he wants to, and he was frustrated from the standpoint he had a chance to score and lost the ball and it was great hustle by Nelly to recover that thing.”
Pederson paused. Again, don’t know if it was for effect.
“Any running back is going to be frustrated,” Pederson said. “We put the ball on the ground a little bit too much yesterday. He’s fine. He’s excited to be here and ready to work this week.”
*** NOTES » On the injury front, middle linebacker Joe Walker likely will be limited at practice Wednesday with a neck stinger, according to Pederson. It happened on the third kickoff. “It’s a nerve issue,” Pederson said. “We’re going to monitor him these next couple of days.” … Guard Stefen Wisniewski stepped in at center late in the win over the Bears, playing eight snaps there, and 75 overall. Starting pivot Jason Kelce got 67 snaps. … Rookie wide receiver Shelton Gibson made his debut with four snaps.