EAGLES (1-0) VS. CHIEFS (1-0)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, ARROWHEAD STADIUM, KANSAS CITYuTV: FOX, DIRECTV 712
Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis, Pam Oliver
About the Eagles: The Eagles got off to a good start in what they view as a season of promise. Second-year QB was solid with flashes of excellence, while the defense, led by DT and LB
held the Washington Redskins to 264 yards. It also created four turnovers, one returned by Cox for the clinching touchdown. But that defense took a hit when talented CB went down with a dislocated ankle, leaving as the top cover guy.
About the Chiefs: Kansas City’s expectations took a decided leap up last week with a stunning road victory against the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. The good news was legion – the record-setting debut of rookie RB a defense that smothered Tom Brady and the fact QB
outshined Brady. But there was bad news, too – 15 penalties for 139 yards and a season-ending Achilles tendon injury to SS Houston says he’s recovered from the nagging knee injury that cost him most of last season. He had two sacks, four quarterback hits, two tackles for loss and a key stop on fourth-and-1 in Week 1. He’ll line up mostly against Johnson, who struggled to keep Washington’s Ryan Kerrigan out of the backfield in the opener.
Last week’s 75-yard touchdown catch made Hill the first player in NFL history to score on plays of more than 60 yards in five Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill shows great versatility in making big plays.
regular-season games in a row. Those plays include two rushes and two punt returns.
With starting RB on injured reserve with a knee injury, Hunt, a third-round draft choice from Toledo, was tossed into the fray right away. After fumbling his first carry, the kid was spectacular, showing speed, burst and vision as he posted 246 yards from scrimmage – the most ever in an NFL debut. Cox, Hicks and DT
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
among others, give Philadelphia the horses to stop the run. They helped hold Washington’s running backs to 34 yards and 2.6 yards per carry.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Turn up the heat: With Darby out, cornerback is a weak link for an otherwise strong Philadelphia defense. That makes the pass rush crucial to keeping quarterbacks from picking apart the secondary. Last week, the Eagles sacked Kirk Cousins four times and forced him to fumble twice. Those hits will need to keep coming.
2. Get wideouts involved: The Eagles went on an offseason shopping spree to find big-time targets for Wentz and landed WRs
and Neither was a factor in the opener, but previously disappointing WR emerged at last in his new role as slot receiver. Philly needs its biggest guns to fire consistently.
Berry is a star and the team’s inspirational leader. The on-the-field part will be addressed by big-hitting
converted CB ly signed veteran combination of the three.
4. Air it out: In his 12 previous pro seasons, Smith has been the proverbial “bus driver” quarterback, making safe throws to minimize risk and protect the ball but making few big plays. But at New England, he bombed away for 368 yards and four TDs, including two passes of 75 of more yards. He could do more against Philadelphia’s shaky corners.
Andy Friedlander newor some