A new QB, a new test
Hurts, raw but poised, faces another strong defense in Cardinals
For a second straight week, the Eagles will be sending a rookie quarterback out to face an elite defense.
For a second straight week, they’re in a game they almost certainly have to win to remain in realistic contention for the playoff berth that would come with a second straight NFC East title, which incredibly hasn’t been achieved by any team since the Eagles in 2004.
So that’s one reason they can’t afford to get too far ahead of themselves when they visit the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
“It’s important that we understand where we are and what’s in front of us,” coach Doug Pederson said. “We need a little help, obviously, the next couple weeks, but we’ve just got to take care of our business and see what happens here at the end of the year.”
Here’s a closer look at the matchup:
About the Eagles
Coming off a 24-21 upset of the New Orleans Saints, the Eagles led the entire second half for the first time this season. But they remain one of just two teams to have fallen short of 30 points in every game.
New starting quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 17 of 30 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown without an interception or a sack. He also ran 15 times for 106 yards before three kneeldowns at the end of the game. Hebecame the second QBin league history to beat a team on a winning streak of nine or more games in their starting debut.
Miles Sanders, who ripped off an 82-yard touchdown run, became the only player in the NFL with three rushes of 60-plus yards this season and ranks second among the league’s RBs in rushing average (5.7).
The defense recorded five more sacks to raise its NFC-leading total to 43. The Steelers are the only team in the league with more (45).
The Eagles lost another offensive lineman, Jack Driscoll, and safety Rodney
McLeod to season-ending injuries in last week’s game.
About the Cardinals
A 26-7 win over the New York Giants last Sunday snapped a threegame losing streak.
If not for the Hail Mary win over Buffalo on Nov. 15, the Cardinals would have had a five-game losing streak coming into the Giants matchup.
Offensively, they have shown good balance with quarterback Kyler Murray (309-for-461, 3,231 yards, 23 TDs, 10 interceptions, 6.2 yards per rushing attempt) and running backs Kenyan Drake (201 carries, 848yards, nine TDs) and Chase Edmonds (83 carries, 404 yards).
Edmonds also has caught more passes than everyone on his team except wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (94 receptions, 1,155 yards, five TDs).
On defense, they feature an exotic pass-rush package that features all linebackers up front at times and has helped former Temple star Haason Reddick to a breakout fourth year featuring 10.0 sacks, which is more than he had in his first three seasons combined.
They trail the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West but are still alive for a playoff berth.
Storylines
Injuries continue to mount
The Eagles lost half their starting defensive backfield for the season when cornerback Avonte Maddox andsafetyRodneyMcLeodbothwent down with knee injuries last week. Also lost for the season was temporary starting right tackle Jack Driscoll.
Those were just the latest in a long line. As of Friday, 29 Eagles had spent time ontheinjured reserve, physically unable to perform or COVID-19 lists.
McLeod’s sudden unavailability opens the door for rookie K’Von Wallace, who on Friday claimed he is so much better equipped to step in than he was earlier in the season.
“I’m still a rookie, but ... I feel like I know the defense, I know the style of [defensive coordinator] JimSchwartz and how he wants to call the game. I know my teammates better,” Wallace said. “I know just certain things that I need to see, and I’m starting to see it well.
“When I first got here, there was a lot of confusion of whattosee, whatto expect, whatto look for as far as being an NFL safety. ... It’s crazy how much knowledge I’ve gained over the past few weeks. ... Everything is starting to slow down and it’s becoming easier.”
Hurts quietly taking charge
In his first start, Hurts made few mistakes. In doing so, he also worked to convert any doubts his veteran teammates mayhave had into beliefs.
After practice, hecontinues to build rapport with his receivers.
“Youjust look at the history of Jalen and the big games and the teams that hehasbeenonincollege andhowhe’s beenin that leadership role,” Pederson said. “I think that waskindof instilled in him at an early age with his family and his father, just having that work ethic. Andnothing really bothers him, nothing really shakes him up. He just steps in and commands the huddle.”
Hargrave proving worth it
After struggling through most of the first half of 2020, prized freeagent addition Javon Hargrave has appeared to put everything together as a worthy complement to Fletcher Cox at defensive tackle.
Since Week 10, Cox ranks first among the league’s DTs with 4.0 sacks. Hargrave is tied for second with Aaron Donald and Leonard Williams (3.5).
“It was real frustrating for me,” Hargrave said. “I’m a guy who I feel can pick uponthings real quickly. But for me, it wasjust trying to break some of those old habits ... andjust tuning in and trying to focus on learning what they want meto do in this scheme.”
Playoff chances increase
The Eagles’ playoff chances improved significantly with last Sunday’s victory. They went into the weekend with just a 6% chance, according to the New York Times’ interactive calculator.
The go into this weekend with an 11% chance and games against Dallas and the Washington football team looming after the Arizona matchup.
Injuries
Eagles: T Jack Driscoll (knee-injured reserve), S Grayland Arnold (hamstring), CBDarius Slay (concussion), CB Avonte Maddox (knee-injured reserve) and S Rodney McLeod (knee-injured reserve) are out. DT Malik Jackson (concussion) is questionable.
Cardinals: LB Kylie Fitts (hamstring), KZaneGonzalez(back), DTJordanPhillips (hamstring) and S Jalen Thompson (ankle) are out. RB ChaseEdmonds(ankle),CBDreKirkpatrick (hamstring) andGJustinPugh (calf ) are questionable.
Key matchups Eagles QBJalen Hurts vs. Cardinals LBs
Asmentionedearlier, the Cardinals come with all kinds of exotic passrush packages from all angles, meaning Hurts will have looks he’s likely never seen before, even in college at Oklahoma and Alabama.
“It is a challenge,” Pederson said. “It’s a unique defensive call by them. They put all linebackers on the field with their defensive back guys and it’s all speed rush. They don’t bring them all every time. They drop guys out. Theypresent eight-manpressure looks, seven-man pressure looks, and six-man pressure looks.
“It canbealittle bit challenging, and it is challenging to try to decipher the code, but we do the best we can. We go in with the protection plan wehave and execute it and try to eliminate as much confusion as possible.”
Pederson and Hurts will count on veteran Jason Kelce to help with calling the right protections.
Eagles CBs vs. Cardinals WRDeAndre Hopkins
Darius Slay (concussion) wasruled out for this game. He’s their top cover corner and they’re going to have a tough time trying to cover his absence.
Hopkins is an elite receiver who is on pace for a third straight season of 100-plus catches. And if he can’t get open right away, elusive quarterback Murray can buy him more time.
With Slay and Maddox both out, look for Jalen Mills to rotate back to cornerback and for the Eagles to throw together combinations of other inexperienced corners andsafeties on the fly.
Eagles safeties vs. Cardinals QBKyler Murray
Eye discipline will be crucial for the safeties, who will have to make split-second decisions on whether to come up in run support or plaster in coverage when the dual-threat Murray starts to move out of the pocket.
One wrong decision could turn the game on its side, because the Eagles are not equipped to win a shootout in Glendale, Yuma, Tombstone or any other famous Arizona gunfight sight.
Eagles TMatt Pryor vs. Cardinals LB Haason Reddick
Pryor is in on the right side for the injured Jack Driscoll, who was in for the injured LaneJohnson. Soyouhave the Eagles’ distant third choice going against a player with 10 sacks.
Reddick could work the other side too, where Jordan Mailata is in for Jason Peters, who was in for Andre Dillard and, well, you get the idea.
Fierro’s pick
Turning to Hurts over Carson Wentz has restored order and belief to the Eagles’ offense. Still, the feeling here is that it will have to be more on point than it was against New Orleans to have any chance at pulling another upset, because the back end of the defense is so decimated now.
Not sure that will be possible, though Pederson’s exceptional record in meaningful December games cannot be discounted.
For that reason, the Eagles leave it all on the field. For every other reason, the equally desperate Cardinals find a way.
Cardinals 27, Eagles 20. (Season pick record 8-4-1)
Next up for the Birds
The Eagles visit the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday. The Cowboys enter this weekend with a 4-9 record.