It’s next man up for Birds in Seattle
Including possibly at QB, as Hurts fights illness and is listed as questionable
The adversity just keeps coming for the Eagles, who have changed their defensive play caller and could be without their starting quarterback when they take on the fading, yet dangerous Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field (8:15 p.m., Channel 6, ESPN, WIP 94.1FM).
Jalen Hurts was ill enough Saturday that the Eagles felt it best to send him home rather than expose his teammates. Hurts is flying separately to Seattle per ESPN and the Eagles downgraded him to questionable on the injury report. With Seahawks counterpart Geno Smith questionable with a groin issue, there is a chance of Marcus Mariota taking on Drew Lock.
Additionally, a league source confirmed that Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai is stepping aside to allow consultant Matt Patricia to call the defensive plays. Patricia was the New England Patriots defensive coordinator in Super Bowl XLIX when Malcolm Butler jumped Russell Wilson’s throw to Ricardo Lockette in the end zone to preserve their win over the Seahawks.
Last week Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni shot down questions about whether he was considering any coaching responsibility changes.
That said, the challenge for the Eagles is to focus, finish and forget they are in a three-team race for the top seed in the NFC with the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys.
“We have a chip on our shoulder now,” Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata said. “It doesn’t matter who we play. We have to prove to ourselves more than anyone that we deserve to be in the postseason.”
The Eagles need not dwell on a pass defense allowing receivers to get so open even their casual critics are shocked.
The Eagles will have to tighten it up without their best cornerback in Darius “Big Play” Slay, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on a knee. Cornerbacks Kelee Ringo, Josh Jobe and Eli Ricks get a chance to prove their resilience against Seahawks receivers D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
The offensive line that has let the Eagles down the past two games will be without right guard Cam Jurgens, who has a pectoral muscle issue. Sua Opeta and rookie Tyler Steen are the next men up.
The Eagles (10-3) will be fully functional only if they can focus solely on the game and not the Seahawks (6-7), who have lost four straight games, including two by six points or less and a pair to the formidable 49ers. The Eagles have lost seven straight games to the Seahawks, all with 72-year-old head coach Pete Carroll in charge.
A tall order, for sure, and the Eagles somehow are 3-point favorites.
“You don’t get anywhere without any challenges,” Hurts said. “You don’t grow. It’s not natural to grow and develop the right type of character and develop into a team, truly, if you don’t go through anything together. As I’ve said before this is a great opportunity for us and something that we’re going through. And that’s a beautiful thing.”
Did we mention there’s a 45% chance of rain around the opening kickoff? Just another thing for the Eagles to go through together.
A win or a tie versus the Seahawks, who are still in post-season contention, and the Eagles clinch a playoff spot.
That’s easier said than done for the Eagles, who have had difficulty getting on the same page. Veteran defensive end Brandon Graham summed that up discussing the synergy lacking between the pass rush and the secondary.
“We’ve got to make sure that we do get there when the time to throw is a lot longer than it’s been,” Graham said of the rush. “And I think we’ve got a good game plan for that. But it works together. Everything works together as a team. And we’ve just got to do a better job of everybody just taking care of their square of the grass of where they need to be. Making sure that they stay in it, that their eyes are good. Making sure that they trust the game plan and trust their preparation. And then just executing what you need to do to make sure that you can make your plays when they come.”
Just like that, the Eagles suddenly find themselves in a dark place facing their biggest challenge of the season.
“You can dress it up and make it however you want and make it look like whatever it is, but the reality is, it’s just about getting better every day,” Hurts said last week. “Regardless of where we sit and what’s in front of us, it’s focusing on the now, being in the present and embracing the opportunities we have. This is a special team, and we have a special opportunity in front of us to do something with the time that we have together. So, let’s take advantage of it.”