The Philadelphia Eagles will be huge home favorites against the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon and the team can’t afford another slow start against an opponent that is supremely inferior as currently constructed.
Philadelphia has a better team and a stretch of road games that could separate them from NFC foes if they can run the gauntlet and enter the week 10 bye in good shape after facing the likes of Minnesota, Dallas, Buffalo, and Chicago.
With the Eagles just hours away from facing the Jets, here are five Birds to keep an eye on.
Jim Schwartz
The Eagles offense isn’t the only group to have slow starts and with the lowly New York Jets coming to town, Schwartz and the Birds can’t afford to struggle out the gate on defense. Eagles opponents have gotten off to a double-digit lead in each of the four games the team has played this season and that can’t happen with the Jets in town. Schwartz will need to figure out how to pressure Luke Falk early and often. According to The Inquirer, the Eagles are being outscored 70-44 in the first half this season. They are outscoring opponents 33-21 in the fourth quarter, 66-35 in the second half. The Eagles have the 26th ranked scoring defense in the NFL and will need to establish a presence early on Sunday.
Jordan Howard
Howard is starting to find his stride in Philadelphia and that’ll likely mean bad news for opposing defenses. The Eagles ran the ball 33 times as opposed to 27 pass attempts against the Packers. Howard and Sanders combined on 26 carries for 159 yards and two touchdowns, with Howard accounting for both rushing scores and another through the air. Look for the Eagles to pound on the Jets early with Howard who should look to feats on the weak New York run defense.
Fletcher Cox
The Eagles are officially in week five, which means Cox has completed his preseason work after four regular-season games. Last week Cox started to look like his dominant self, causing disruptions all in the Packers backfield.
The Eagles need Cox to be dominant in the run and passing game, allowing the banged-up Eagles secondary to make more plays against the third-string quarterback, Luke Falk.
Orlando Scandrick
Scandrick is back in Philadelphia and won’t have much time to get reacquainted with his playbook. With Sidney Jones questionable to play with a hamstring injury, you could see Rasul Douglas on the outside along with Scandrick. If Jones can go, Scandrick could slide to the slot. Scandrick will get to renew his rivalry with Jamison Crowder who is the Jets top pass catcher.
Craig James
James may have saved the Eagles season last Thursday after numerous weeks spent going back and forth between the practice squad and the active roster. James, who spent last season on the Vikings’ practice squad, tipped a late Aaron Rodgers pass into the open arms of Nigel Bradham, who sealed a 34-27 win at Lambeau Field with an interception. With Ronald Darby (hamstring) and Avonte Maddox (neck, concussion) officially ruled out of the Jets game and Sidney Jones (hamstring) questionable, James should see more targets directed his way.
