Eagles get to find out how good they are

ing leader.

The Seahawks’ run defense is fourth in the NFL. The pass defense is third. Add the figures together and the Hawks are first in total defense surrendering just 285.8 yards per game.

“It will be a good challenge for us to run the ball against a No. 1 ranked defense,” Johnson said. “They have a great front four, a great secondary so it’s going to be a challenge for us.”

The challenge for the Eagles defensively is to contain quarterback Russell Wilson, the secondleading rusher for the Seahawks with 679 yards to go with four touchdowns. When Wilson gets outside the pocket, his ordinary wide receivers turn into targets and blockers.

Look for the Eagles to spy Wilson, who has thrown 10 touchdown passes against just one interception on the road, with a linebacker such as Mychal Kendricks. Count on defensive tackle Fletcher Cox collapsing the pocket the Seahawks try to form with center Lemuel Jeanpierre and guards J.R. Sweezy and James Carpenter.

The Seahawks have won two straight games by scores of 19-3, the most recent over the 49ers on Thanksgiving.

T he Eagle s r ipped the Cowboys, 33-10, on Thanksgiving.

Both teams are having red zone issues. In those games, both offenses converted just one of five red zone chances into touchdown.

“We just had some missed opportunities,” Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez said. “I think there’s a couple throws that have to be on the money, hit our la ndmarks, and there’s a couple plays on first and second down where I think we could have got some positive yards. Even if it’s a scramble for two yards or lunging forward on a run or getting an underneath completion instead of throwing the ball away where you get in a thirdand-short or a situation where you can really make a first down. Not necessarily to score but just make a first down and give yourself four more chances.”

Sanchez, like Wilson is coming off a turnover-free game. It could be much more difficult against the Seahawks, who have several outstanding defensive players, including cornerback Richard Sherman, coming off a two-interception game. The Eagles think enough of Sherman to avoid commenting when asked if they will challenge him.

“We know they’re a great football team,” Celek said. “It’s definitely going to be a battle out there. They’re going to come in here ready to fight.”

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch will provide a stern test for the Eadles defense today at the Linc.