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On paper, the Eagles present plenty of problems for the Pats. Howard is a big physical RB, averaging 4.4yards/carry, and we know now that the Patriots have a problem stopping the run. Particularly up front; their DL is consistently getting little to no penetration and they are getting dominated at the point of attack.
M. Sanders also is performing well, posting the same 4.4/carry. And recently the Eagles got Sproles back on the field, and everyone knows about Sproles.
The problem is that I don't think the Eagles have been using those guys as well as they could have, which makes me wonder if they will against the Patriots.
Pederson is a pretty smart guy, he has to know that the run game is where he needs to make his butter, but it's going to be about execution. He can't really replicate what the Ravens did, as he's just not going to expose Wentz to that kind of beating.
We'll see how it shakes out, but I expect to see some sophisticated run plays with a lot of misdirection to start the game.
The Eagles are a little thin at WR going into the game, which might be a real concern if they can't get their running game going early. And honestly, outside of Jackson, who isn't going to play, I'm not terribly impressed with the PHI receiving corps. But on paper, Jeffrey, Agholor, and Hollins, present serious issues for the Patriots secondary. If Wentz can get them the ball. And if they can catch. Without Zach Ertz, the Eagles passing attack might be kind of pathetic this season.
But Ertz is there, and he's been very good this year. And the Patriots have shown that along with their run defense problems, they have a problem covering fast TEs. Their LBs simply don't match-up well with Ertz going wide. And I'm not sure he can be covered with a safety.
It's going to come down to which team makes fewer mistakes, IMO. The Eagles have the tools to win this one, even win going away. But they are also a team that has wallowed at times in making mental mistakes in just about every contest they've been in this year.
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