The Seattle Seahawks (6-7) will try to finish their four-game dropping streak and begin a late playoff push as they host the Philadelphia Eagles (10-3), losers of their two video games, on “Monday Night time Soccer.” Listed below are the highest storylines and gamers to watch for every staff.
When Eagles are on offense
Can the offense spark a turnaround?: Whereas Philadelphia’s protection, which has allowed 75 factors throughout its two-game skid, ought to bear the brunt of accountability for the staff’s struggles, the offense hasn’t fared significantly better.
After averaging the third-most factors within the NFL over the primary 11 video games (28.2), the Eagles have scored simply two offensive touchdowns during the last two video games, each coming in Week 13’s 42-19 loss to San Francisco.
On a optimistic be aware for Philadelphia, the Seahawks protection has been simply as poor as its personal, so it could possibly be well-positioned to blow up offensively. Over the past six video games, solely the Eagles have allowed extra yards than Seattle (2,453), with each giving up 180 factors throughout that span, tied for the second-most within the league.
A regarding sickness for QB Jalen Hurts: Regardless of a positive matchup, there isn’t any assure the Eagles will earn their first win over the Seahawks since 2008, particularly if they do not have their MVP-caliber quarterback.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Sunday that Philadelphia downgraded Hurts to questionable for Monday after a illness that landed him on the damage report worsened on Saturday evening. Schefter added that Hurts remains to be “harboring hopes of taking part in” and traveled to Seattle individually from the Eagles to keep away from getting any coaches or teammates sick.
Ought to Hurts be unable to play, journeyman Marcus Mariota, the second total choose within the 2015 NFL Draft by Tennessee, would begin for the Eagles. Mariota has loads of expertise as a starter, posting a 34-40 profession document, however has made simply two appearances this season, finishing two of three passes for 16 yards.
Potential spot for RB D’Andre Swift to regain momentum?: With Hurts below the climate, it would not be stunning if Philadelphia devotes extra consideration to its working sport. No matter whether or not their star quarterback performs, this could possibly be advantageous for the Eagles, contemplating Seattle permits the Tenth-most speeding yards per sport (123.4).
Nonetheless, they will want a stronger efficiency from Swift in an effort to guarantee success, as he has rushed for simply 52 yards during the last two video games.
You should definitely regulate this rookie defender: Though Eagles DT Jalen Carter will possible take house Defensive Rookie of the Yr honors, the Seahawks have their very own first-year defender who has the makings of a famous person in CB Devon Witherspoon.
The fifth total choose within the 2023 NFL Draft, Witherspoon has racked up 10 passes defensed, three sacks and one interception, incomes him the seventh-highest grade on the place by Professional Soccer Focus (83.3).
Moreover, Witherspoon has been on a historic tempo by way of shutting down wideouts, rating fifth in receptions allowed over anticipated amongst rookies via Week 14 since 2018 (-6.3), in keeping with Subsequent Gen Stats.
When Seahawks are on offense
One other sport with out QB Geno Smith?: After lacking final week’s 28-16 loss to San Francisco with a groin damage, Smith is listed as questionable for Monday and seems to be a game-time resolution, which paves the best way for backup Drew Lock to start out.
The previous Broncos signal-caller accomplished 71% of his passes towards the 49ers — his first begin since 2021 — for 269 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Seahawks HC Pete Carroll might need advised reporters he “was proud” of Lock’s efficiency, however the quarterback’s 8-14 profession document as a starter would not present a lot optimism if he is known as upon once more.
Nonetheless, whoever begins for Seattle is about as much as have a productive outing for the reason that Eagles enable the second-most passing touchdowns (29) and fifth-most passing yards per sport this season (277.9).
WR DK Metcalf: If the Seahawks intend to capitalize on an ineffective Eagles cross protection, Metcalf should be closely concerned. Metcalf has solely performed the Eagles twice in his profession, however he scorched them throughout their newest assembly again in 2020, hauling in 10 of 13 targets for 177 yards.
Smith suiting up could be a big enhance for Metcalf, because the Professional Bowl wideout has 21 receptions for 358 yards and 4 touchdowns in his final 4 video games together with his beginning quarterback.
A brand new play-caller for the Eagles protection: Aiming to alleviate their defensive difficulties, the Eagles are transferring DC Sean Desai to the coaches’ sales space and giving play calling duties to senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia, per Fox Sports activities’ Jay Glazer.
Regardless of the change, Desai will nonetheless maintain the title of “defensive coordinator,” although it would not bode properly for his future, significantly if Patricia can assist the protection look extra like final season’s dominant unit.
Eagles CB Darius Slay’s availability: Patricia’s first sport will not come with out further challenges, because the Eagles secondary shall be with out its chief for the foreseeable future. On Saturday, Eagles HC Nick Sirianni introduced that Slay underwent arthroscopic knee surgical procedure final week and can miss Monday’s contest.
Though Sirianni did not specify when Slay will return, he assured the surgical procedure will not be anticipated to sideline him for the rest of the common season.
In Slay’s absence, anticipate rookie cornerback Kelee Ringo, who performed a season-high 22 snaps final week, to see extra motion.