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Week 13 Preview: Eagles look to put pressure on Brady, Patriots
Published06 Dec 2015
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After a three-game losing streak, the Philadelphia Eagles will go head to head with the New England Patriots. Philadelphia has been extremely inconsistent this season but surprisingly, they are still only one game back from first place in the NFC East.
Chip Kelly's Eagles have been outscored 90-31 in their last two games and are barely hanging onto any hope left in the weak NFC East. As Philadelphia heads into the thick of their schedule, they must find a way to pull it together.
If the Eagles ever had a chance at beating a team like New England, this week is it. Key offensive players such as Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski will be spending this week's game on the sideline due to injury. Also, Danny Amendola is sounding like a game-time decision.
Kickoff to this Sunday's game begins at 4:25 p.m. in Foxborough, Ma.
The Eagles sit at 4-7 on the season, while New England just lost their first game of the season on Sunday night, putting them at 10-1. Tom Brady will face an Eagles secondary that is getting worse and worse each week. The only glimmer of hope that the Eagles secondary have is that they won't have to cover Gronkowski.
As for the Eagles offense, it looks like Sam Bradford will be healthy enough to start this week. Before Bradford exited in Week 10 from a concussion and a shoulder injury, it looked like he was finally getting into a rhythm at quarterback. He will look to pick up where he left off and continue to look more comfortable in Chip Kelly's offense.
The offensive line has been very weak since Jason Peters went down with a quadriceps injury in Week 7 against the undefeated Carolina Panthers. Since then, Peters hasn't been the same. His lingering injuries are taking a tole on the aging offensive lineman. His absence has caused Philadelphia's offense to go down hill very quickly. He is expected to return to play against the Patriots this week.
There has been multiple reports of Chip Kelly having lost his locker room after a disastrous three-week decline. Many believe he will be looking to go back to coaching college football because of how bad Philadelphia's season has been so far.
The Eagles will try to give New England everything they have to try to pull the unthinkable; however, their chances do not seem very high. If they can put pressure on Tom Brady, they will have a chance at getting back on track.
Game Notes
- The Patriots have won the past four meetings with Philadelphia, dating back to 2003.
- If the Eagles beat the Patriots, they will still remain one game back from first-place in the division.
- Sam Bradford has thrown for 531 yards in his last two games played.
Injury Report
Eagles
Out
- RB Ryan Mathews (concussion, groin)
Questionable
- T Jason Peters (back, ankle)
- DE Cedric Thornton (ankle)
Probable
- WR Nelson Agholor (hip)
- WR Seyi Ajirotutu (calf)
- QB Sam Bradford (shoulder)
- TE Zach Ertz (concussion)
- WR Josh Huff (concussion)
- T Lane Johnson (shoulder)
- C Jason Kelce (knee)
- T Dennis Kelly (ankle)
- DB Walter Thurmond (hamstring, calf)
Patriots
Out
- WR Julian Edelman (foot)
- TE Rob Gronkowski (knee)
Questionable
- WR Danny Amendola (knee)
- S Patrick Chung (foot)
- CB Justin Coleman (hand)
- LB Jamie Collins (illness)
- DL Dominique Easley (ankle)
- LB Dont'a Hightower (knee)
- TE Michael Williams (knee)
Probable
- DT Alan Branch (elbow)
- DE Chandler Jones (toe)
- OT Marcus Cannon (abdomen)
- TE Scott Chandler (knee)
Where to Watch
TV: FOX (Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis)
Radio: 94 WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)
Dan Ketler is a contributing writer for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ketler11.
