The good news for the Eagles entering their hopeful playoff run is that they are very familiar with their first-round matchup, having played the Seattle Seahawks just six weeks ago.
The better news? Despite playing one of their worst games of the season, the Eagles lost that game just 17-9. That final score doesn't tell the whole story, as both teams missed chances they normally make, but the reality is this — the Eagles are very capable of winning their rematch with Seattle and advancing to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
Here is how they can do it.
Wentz plays better: Let's start here — quarterback Carson Wentz is playing the best he has since the 2017 season. If it weren't for Wentz, the Eagles wouldn't be in the playoffs, and we would all be spending Monday talking about the offseason.
That is the reality. The other reality is that when the Eagles played the Seahawks earlier this season Wentz was playing arguably his worst football of the season. In that first game Wentz finished with two interceptions and only 256 yards on 33 completions. The Eagles weren't able to get anything going down the field, and Wentz's accuracy was part of the reason why.
The Eagles might have won that game if Wentz played even a B game. Now that he is playing his A game, the Eagles have to feel confident about the kind of play they will get from their quarterback in his playoff debut.
Don't turn the ball over: Almost no team is going win a game in which they turn the ball over five times, and that was exactly the case in the Eagles' loss to the Seahawks. Wentz was the main culprit, as he turned the ball over four times, including two lost fumbles.
The five turnovers was a season high for the Eagles and extremely out of character for them. As flawed as this team has been at times, the Eagles have done a good job taking care of the ball, as they have had one-or-fewer turnovers in 11 of their 16 games this season.
If the Eagles cut that down to even two turnovers — or ideally none — they have a great chance to win the game.
Get Miles Sanders healthy and Boston Scott involved: With how well both running backs Miles Sanders and Boston have played recently, it is hard to remember a time when they weren't the top backs on the team. Against Seattle, however, Sanders was in his just second game as the top running back. His numbers were not terrible — 63 rushing yards and just 23 receiving yards on 15 touches — but he was not the dynamic player he is now. The ankle injury he is dealing with is a concern, but it shouldn't keep him out of the game.
Scott, meanwhile, didn't even touch the ball on offense against the Seahawks, something that will certainly change next Sunday. Scott showed against the Giants once again how dangerous he can, totaling 128 yards and three touchdowns.
If Sanders is healthy, and Scott now playing at a high level, the Eagles will go into Sunday's game with two dynamic weapon they didn't have the first time around.
Be better on 3rd downs: As is the case with most teams and offenses, when the Eagles are clicking on third down, they are a tough offense to stop. The Eagles were especially atrocious on third down in the Eagles' first game with Seattle, going 4-12 with four three-and-outs.
Despite their struggles against Seattle, however, the Eagles have been one of the best third-down teams in the NFL this season. In fact, the Eagles were the second best team in the NFL on third down this season, converting 46%. They have been even better over the last three, converting just over 50%. Being the team they have been all season on third down, and not the one in their first game against Seattle, will be a huge key on Sunday.
Defense once again dominates at home: The Eagles' went into Sunday's game against the Giants hearing all week about how their defense on the road was going to be an issue. Well, save for one big run by Saquon Barkley, the defense looked dominent at MetLife, allowing just 17 points and making the biggest play of the game. Heading back home, a place they have been dominant since Week 3, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has to feel great about how his unit is playing. Since hitting a low point in back-to-back games against the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles' defense has held opposing offenses to 17-points-or-less in seven of their last nine games.
At home they are allowing an average of just 16.75 points this season. In their loss to Seattle, despite not playing at the level they are now, they allowed only 17 points -- and there is plenty of reason to believe they can hold the Seahawks to even fewer points than that on Sunday.
Get off to a fast start: The importance of the Eagles' starting fast is nothing new and has been discussed at length since the start of last season. The start to the game was certainly an issue in their first matchup with the Seahawks, as their half possessions went like this: punt, field goal, fumble, interception, punt, punt. Not ideal.
With how loud Lincoln Financial Field is going to be, and how well the team is playing right now, the Eagles have a prime chance to come out and get a lead against the Seahawks.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
