Regular-season battles are not always a foolproof indicator of results in a rematch. Nonetheless, given that Seattle and Philly met this season at the Linc, and not that long ago to boot (right in front of Thanksgiving, on Nov. 24), a quick revisit of those proceedings is in order. As was the case much of the 2019 campaign (and will be to a certain extent in the playoffs as well), the Eagles were shorthanded, down their top three wideouts (DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, & Nelson Agholor), plus RB Jordan Howard and RT Lane Johnson at the outset of the game. Before the 1st Q was done, Pro Bowl RG Brandon Brooks was also forced to exit. Making his first start at the RT spot, rookie Andre Dillard, previously used on the left side, was benched at halftime.
Given those parameters, it’s no wonder that Philly only managed nine points on the afternoon. Such a makeshift supporting cast might have had something to do with a sloppy performance by QB Carson Wentz, guilty of two picks and two lost fumbles. The turnover battle was key, one in which the Seahawks “won” 5-2 (Philly losing three fumbles all together, plus the two Wentz picks). With the Seattle defense in control for most of the game, Russell Wilson could pick his spots carefully, and only passed 25 times, completing a modest 13, though Seattle never trailed after Wilson hit Malik Turner with an over-the-shoulder throw and 33-yard TD in the 1st Q that put the Hawks ahead to stay. Wilson could also lean on an infantry that gouged out 174 yards, including 129 by Rashaad Penny, whose thundering 58-yard TD jaunt in the 4th Q effectively decided the contest.
In regard to the rematch, it’s important to note that the Eagles’ health isn’t much better than it was in late November. The top three wideouts are still out, and last week were joined again by RT Johnson and Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz, plus RG Brooks and RB Miles Sanders during the course of the game.
Meanwhile, since late November, the Seahawks RB corps has been decimated, with not only Penny, but other main options Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise now also on I-R. Down to one healthy RB option (Miami-Fla. Rookie Travis Homer) last week, Pete Carroll’s S-O-S call was answered by none other than Marshawn Lynch, plus former sidekick Ronald Turbin. In the NFC West decider vs. the 49ers, Lynch finally got in old “Beast Mode” for parts of the second half and even scored a TD, effectively splitting time with Homer.
Of further concern to Carroll is Pro Bowl LT Duane Brown, whose absence was certainly felt in the 1st half vs. the Niners when Seattle was blanked. Though Seattle’s banged-up defense got a bit healthier last week with the returns of CB Shaquill Griffin & DE Jadeveon Clowney. The Eagles nonetheless pin-balled their way to the NFC East crown with this jerry-rigged look and some heroic work from Wentz (who, it should be noted, will be making his first playoff start this week after missing the last two years due to injuries), who led four gutsy wins to close the season and overtake Dallas to win the division. Rising to the moment, Wentz seemed to almost will Philly by himself to a couple of those wins, and by last Sunday vs. the Giants, Wentz was relying on former practice-team RB Boston Scott as his preferred infantry option, and former U of Houston QB, Greg Ward, as his top wideout threat. (TE Ertz is possible to return this week).
But nothing has come easily lately for Philly, even last week vs. the Giants when the game was tight into the 4th Q before a disastrous sequence for the G-Men turned the ball over on their own 2, from where Philly put the game out of reach. Other December wins over the same Giants and Redskins were heavily labored, and were preceded by a loss at Miami.
Can the recent Wentz magic work in the playoffs?