It isn't an ideal time for the Eagles to be heading into prime time.
At 0-2-1, the Eagles have a struggling quarterback, one of the worst offenses in the league, an inconsistent defense and a sloppy team overall. By contrast, the San Francisco 49ers are red-hot despite playing a backup quarterback and are one of the best coached teams in the entire league.
What could go wrong?
Here is why I think it is going to be tough for the Eagles to leave San Francisco with a win on Sunday night:
Creative on offense: The Eagles' defense had it's worst game of the season in Week 2 when it got ran over by a creative Los Angeles Rams' offense. If the Eagles' defense struggled against the Rams, it is hard to see them doing much better against the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers have arguably the best offensive head coach in the NFL in Kyle Shanahan, who is a master at scheming up a game plan to attack an opposing defense's weakness. Shanahan will have plenty to choose from on Sunday night, whether it be the Eagles' linebacking core or whoever starts at cornerback opposite Darius Slay.
Jim Schwartz remains one of the best defensive coordinators in the league, but it is hard to feel confident about his matchup against Shanahan after watching what happened in Week 2 against Sean McVay.
Well-oiled machine: As mentioned above the Eagles are a bit of a mess right now. The 49ers are not.
Simply put, the 49ers are running like a well-oiled machine and have been for some time.
The 49ers are 17-5 since the start of last season, with four of those losses coming by one-possession, and the other coming in the Super Bowl after a fourth-quarter collapse against Kansas City. They are plus-seven in the turnover battle since the start of 2019 and have been one of the least penalized teams in the league this season with just 16 flags in three games.
The Eagles are going to have to play a perfect game on Sunday night, and after watching this team for three weeks, that chances of that happening seem very slim.
They score points: The Eagles have plenty of issues, but the main issue they have had for over a year now? They simply don't score enough points.
The 49ers don't have that problem.
The Eagles have topped 25 points seven times since the start of last season. The 49ers have topped 25 points twice as many times, 14, during the same stretch.
The Eagles were 12th in the NFL in point last season. The 49ers were 2nd. The Eagles are 28th in points this season. The 49ers are 11th, with a backup quarterback.
The bottom line is this — the 49ers have a much, much better chance of having a big-game on offense than the Eagles do.
49ers Offensive Line: The Eagles' defensive line has been much better than expected this season, as according to Pro Football Focus, they have the second-best pass rush in the NFL. Leading the way has been Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham and Malik Jackson, with Josh Sweat emerging onto the scene as a consistent pass rusher as well.
This Sunday night will be their first big test of the season.
The 49ers have a very good offensive line, starting on the outside with Trent Williams and Mike McGlinchey. The duo has allowed a combined one sack in three games, and just nine pressures overall. Although the interior of the offensive line is not as strong as the tackles, it will still be the toughest interior line the Eagles' defensive tackles have faced so far this season.
Sunday night is a big game for the defensive line as they try to prove they can get pressure against any offensive line, and not just beat up on the bad ones.
Nick Mullens: Nick Mullens might be…really good?
Mullens was awesome last week against the New York Giants, going 25/36 for 343 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions to finish with a 108.9 passer rating. Yes, it was the Giants, but Mullens has been excellent each time the 49ers have called upon him, boasting a 91.5 passer rating in nine career starts with 14 touchdowns. Turnovers have been a bit of a problem for Mullens, as he has 11 in nine games, but overall he has been an extremely effective as the 49ers quarterback.
It is hard to believe, but the Eagles actually have a challenge on their hands with Mullens, who does an excellent job getting rid of the ball quick and simply running the game plan on offense.
Eagles' Wide Receivers: The Eagles are used to being undermanned at receiver. That should be expected when your top two receivers are over 30 and are coming off of serious injuries.
The issues at receiver on Sunday are at a different level, however.
The Eagles could be with only one (Greg Ward) of the five receivers on the active roster on Sunday. It is very unlikely either DeSean Jackson or Alshon Jeffery play. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside will likely be a game-time decision. John Hightower might play, but missed Thursday's practice with an illness.
As a result, the Eagles could roll out a trio of Ward and two receivers from the practice squad, Deontay Burnett and Travis Fulgham, on Sunday night — and even if Arcega-Whiteside does play, it is hard to imagine that will be much of a boost.
There might not be a team in the NFL that rolls out a worse group of wide receivers this weekend.
Will they fight?: Last season the Eagles faced two must-win games on the road against quality opponents. The first time they went into Green Bay and beat the Packers. The second time they went into a rainy Buffalo and beat the Bills. That team showed fight, and as a result, made it into the playoffs.
This team has yet to show they are that team, and deserve that same benefit of the doubt.
After a disappointing loss in Week 1, they got blown out in Week 2. After the blowout loss in Week 2, they proceeded to come out flat in Week 3 and barely avoided a loss.
Maybe this is the turning point. Maybe they make a statement in front of the entire league that they are not the team we have seen the first three weeks.
I just wouldn't bet on it.
Prediction: 49ers 37, Eagles 24
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
