Seahawks vs. Eagles: Gameday Predictions
It’s just about time for an epic clash between the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles.
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The winner can add another signature win to their resume and solidify their place in the NFC postseason race.
Seattle comes in with one of the hottest defenses in the league while the Eagles have one of the best offenses in the NFL.
Both teams have had a week and a half to prepare for each other (neither team has played since Thanksgiving) so this should be an even game where everything will be decided on the field.
Here are some predictions for Sunday’s game:
1. Marshawn Lynch rushes for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Lynch has been a machine the past few weeks, rushing for more than 100 yards in three of his last four games.
His back has been causing him quite a bit of pain, but the extra rest from the mini-bye should help him feel rejuvenated for the contest against the Eagles.
I don’t see Lynch rushing over the century mark again on Sunday, but I know he will get close. Teams have figured out he is the anchor of the offense and there is no doubt Philadelphia’s front seven is going to focus heavily on stopping the run.
Teams with good lines can do that — the Cardinals held Lynch to 39 yards on the ground and a few other teams showed they could slow him down too.
The Eagles will slow Lynch down a bit, but he should still have a productive day.
2. Russell Wilson has more than 225 all-purpose yards.
Because Lynch will be the central focus of the defense, Wilson might be opened up to throw the ball a little more or keep the ball on the read option.
The Eagles pass defense is 26th in the league and allows nearly 260 yards per game through the air.
If Wilson can find some open receivers, he might be able to do some damage through the air.
If not, Wilson will surely run the ball for maybe 50 or 60 yards on Sunday, simply because the defense will have trouble picking him up.
3. Jordan Matthews is Eagles leading receiver with seven catches, 80 yards, and a touchdown.
Richard Sherman will be covering Jeremy Maclin which means Mark Sanchez is going to have a new favorite target — Matthews.
Matthews, a rookie once scouted by Seattle, is second on the team with 54 catches, 686 yards and seven touchdowns.
No one wants to throw at the red-hot Sherman right now so Matthews is probably the go-to guy in the high-flying offense on Sunday.
4. Seahawks defense holds Eagles to 20 points.
This is a bit of a bold prediction but it has to happen if Seattle wants to win.
The Eagles have only lost three games this season and when they lost they scored 21, 20 and 20 points, respectively.
In their wins, however, the average more than 30 points a game. Defense wins games, championships, all that good stuff.
Seattle has the better defense, so I would say they have the advantage. They have to stop the Eagles from getting on the scoreboard and if they can do that, I don’t see why they don’t win this game.
5. Seahawks win, 27-20.
I know the Eagles are undefeated at home but I like the Seahawks in this one.
They have more experience in high pressure games and they are playing for more right now.
Seattle’s defense has just been lights out, allowing only six points in their last two games combined.
If the defense steps up, the offense will also do their part. Seahawks win this one in a close one.