Patrick Causey, on Twitter @InsdeTheHuddle
The Philadelphia Eagles are in a must win game. Win, and they could potentially salvage their season in a weak NFC East. Lose and start out 0-3? And this season is almost over before it started. Here are our predictions for the game against the New York Jets.
Michael Coggin, on Twitter @MQCoggin
Eagles 13, Jets 21
After a strong preseason, this Eagles team has come out flat in two straight games. There were many people–fans, media members, and myself–that watched the preseason games and got fooled. Now, after biting the worm, we're left flopping on the deck: tortured and panicking about the immediate future. The Eagles need to right the ship this week and hope to do so against a team they have, historically, played well against. on Sunday, at the Meadowlands, they will face a defense the caliber of which they have yet to face. The Jets have allowed an NFL-best 8.5 points per game through the first two weeks of the season. The Eagles are only scoring 17 points per game on offense. The Eagles are 9-0-1 all time against the Jets. My guess is they get their first loss on this year.
Ryan Gerstel, on Twitter @TheRyanGerstel
Eagles 16, Jets 10
After an embarrassing effort against a depleted Cowboys defense, the Eagles' offense gets set to take on a stout Jets defensive unit that is coming off a dominating performance against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. Not often does one say a win against the New York Jets would be a statement game, but that's the position the Eagles find themselves in with how much their offense has struggled, especially running the ball. The Jets' front seven is one of the best units in the NFL, so I don't see the Eagles suddenly figuring it out Sunday. However, it would be almost impossible for the offense to play as badly as they did against the Cowboys. With that being said, I think Sam Bradford bounces back and is able to move the offense enough to at least score a touchdown and tack on a couple of field goals. Defensively, the Eagles have been solid against the run, allowing just 3.1 yards per attempt through two games. I believe the Eagles shut down Chris Ivory and force Ryan Fitzpatrick to air it out, which could spell disaster for New York. With Eric Decker likely out, Brandon Marshall is the only threat facing the Eagles secondary, albeit a pretty good one. If the Eagles want to win, they'll need to keep Marshall in check, and I believe they will do just enough to slow him down. This is another sloppy offensive performance, but I have the Eagles escaping with a 16-10 victory on the road. However, it won't be the convincing performance this city desperately needs.
Brian Startare, on Twitter @BrianStartare
Eagles 20, Jets 17
Here we go again. Like most of the Eagles prognosticators, I'm 0-2, just like the Birds. This is a tough spot. The Jets have played really physical defense and it's going to have to be a great game plan to improve upon what has been just a dreadful offensive start for the Eagles. I'll throw some faith behind The Genius one more week. However, if Chip can't pull out this must win, it's going to get real ugly around here.
Kevin Durso, on Twitter @Kevin_Durso
Eagles 20, Jets 28
I'm trying a little reverse psychology and just plain hoping I am wrong, but a good portion of this is based on how good the Jets have looked on both sides of the ball and the Eagles injury report. The offense has struggled, and now the defense could be heavily short-handed. The chances just don't look good at all. And while I still can't see this team going to 0-3, simply because they can't afford another poor showing, I just don't see how they avoid that.
Michael Malia, on Twitter @Michael_Malia
Eagles 25, Jets 17
The Philadelphia Eagles face the New York Jets in a critical Week 3 matchup. How do the Eagles avoid going 0-3 to start the season? In my opinion, the most important key to victory is taking care of the football. The Jets defense has forced five turnovers in both of the first two games to start the 2015 NFL season. The Jets offense, led by Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback, also presents some problems. Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are a quality wide receiver tandem. The Jets have a veteran offensive line and a solid running game. However, I just can't picture the Eagles starting the season at 0-3. The Eagles offensive line will actually play formidably against a beastly Jets front-seven. If the Eagles can run the ball with some success (that's a big if), I envision Bradford taking some shots deep down the field to Josh Huff and Nelson Agholor. I think the Eagles pull out a hard fought victory over the Jets, preventing a deadly 0-3 start to the season. I have the Eagles winning this one by the score of 24-17.
Pete Visalli, on Twitter @PHL24x7Pete
Eagles 17, Jets 23
I think the mind set around Philadelphia right now is clearly that the Eagles couldn't possibly go 0-3. Our guts are telling us that they are going to find a way to win this game, right? Well my gut wants to tell me that, but Agholor and Mathews were struggling to get open against the Dallas scrub secondary. Which means Revis and Cromartie and going to have a cake walk. Plus no Kiko, no Kendricks, no Murray. They're in trouble and this could be the beginning of a very long season. Chip has set up a fine mess for himself, particularly with this patch work offensive line. Herremans is one thing, but Mathis did not need to go. That was a huge mistake and regardless what Chip says, he knows it. Forget all the hype and let's be realistic for a second. Byron Maxwell is struggling playing man coverage and you better believe the Brandon Marshall is going to be licking his chops because of it. I see that being a problem for the Eagles defense and the offense is going to have a hangover and zero confidence after what's gone on the first two weeks. This could be a nail biter, but I'm giving this win to the Jets. Eagles lose 23-17 and fall to 0-3.
Patrick Causey, on Twitter @InsdeTheHuddle
Jets 24, Eagles 21
With 11 new starters, it should come as no surprise that the Philadelphia Eagles are struggling to find chemistry. Missed blocks, receivers running the wrong routes, dropped passes and bad quarterback play all point to a team still trying to learn how to play together. The New York Jets present a heck of a challenge for a team still trying to find their footing. They have an aggressive defense that blitzes on 50% of the snaps, which should present a problem for an offensive line that is not on the same page and a quarterback that is one of the worst in the NFL throwing under pressure. But the Eagles have had success against Todd Bowles led defenses, as they were able to gain a lot of yards against the Arizona Cardinals in each of the last two seasons when Bowles was defensive coordinator. The thing that ultimately decided those games? Which team won the turnover battle, and I suspect the same will be true this Sunday. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Jets have forced an absurd 10 turnovers in two weeks, and Bradford has been giving the ball away like it is going out of style. I just can't trust this team to win on the road against what could be the best defense in the league. Jets win a close one, and the Eagles season is on the brink.
Wall of Shame
Brian Startare: 0-2
Kevin Durso: 0-2
Patrick Causey: 0-2
Michael Coggin: 0-2
Ryan Gerstel: 0-2
Michael Malia: 0-2
Pete Visalli: 0-2
