NFC Wild Card Preview: Seahawks @ Eagles

This Sunday at 4:40 PM the Seattle Seahawks (11-5) make the cross-country trek to the confines of Lincoln Finacial Field to take on the NFC East Champion Eagles (9-7) in South Philadelphia. The weather figures to be in the high 30's and the low 40's, which is warm for this time of year in Philadelphia. The Eagles are looking to avenge their week twelve loss to the Seahawks which they fell 17-9. Both teams, although only about six weeks ago are very different from their last matchup. The Eagles, with Carson Wentz playing great are relying on young offesnive weapons Miles Sanders, Greg Ward, and Boston Scott. The Seahawks had injuries to Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson forcing them to turn to Travis Homer and lure Marshawn Lynch out of retirement. The Eagles have won four in a row as they enter the playoffs, while Seattle has lost three out of their last four. Both teams seem to be trending in opposite directions, but the playoffs are a clean slate.

Seattle:

Key Players:

QB Russell Wilson- Arguably the most valuable QB to his team in the league, Wilson has carried a Seahawks offense this year with average weapons. If he is able to extend plays the Eagles defense can be vulnerable in this one.

RB Marshawn Lynch- After only playing one game all season, Beast Mode has fresh legs and in the cold weather will be hard to tackle.

WR Tyler Lockett- A speed WR could give the Eagles inconsistent corners some fits.

LB Bobby Wagner- One of the best LB's in fumble will be tasked with stopping the Eagles young rushing duo of Sanders and Scott.

DE Jadeveon Clowney- With Lane Johnson unsure to play, and Brandon Brooks out this week Clowney could be in for a solid game if he is lined up on the left side. If Clowney can collapse the pocket, the fumble prone Carson Wentz could be in trouble.

X-Factor:

RB Travis Homer- Last week the Seattle backfield attention was on Marshawn Lynch, but Homer had the best day of their RB's making plays in the rushing and receiving game. Homer is a player without much film on him and he could give the Eagles some fits.

Key Stats:

137.5 rushing yards per game

25.3 points per game

24.9 points against per game

Philadelphia:

Key Players:

QB Carson Wentz- Playing great recently with a bunch of practice squad players, it will be pivotal for Wentz to take care of the football and make the easy throws to continue drives.

RB Miles Sanders- With a hobbled ankle it is unsure if he will be 100% this week, but he has been one of the best RB's in football recently and will need to provide some explosive plays for Philly.

TE Zach Ertz- After missing week seventeen with a rib/kidney injury, Ertz is questionable this week. He is the premier receiving target for Philly and the Eagles need him in this one.

C Jason Kelce- With RG Brandon Brooks suffering a season ending injury last week, there will be more on the All-Pro Kelce's plate this week. He is the key to the Eagles rushing game up front.

S Malcolm Jenkins- Russell Wilson is known for his scrambling ability and Jenkins will have to make sure that the Eagles don't let WR's Metcalf and Lockett beat them deep. Jenkins is also important in the running game and may have to spy Wilson.

X-Factor:

RB Boston Scott- After scoring three TD's last week, and with Miles Sanders banged up, Scott will have a big role this weekend. Look for him to make plays in the screen game and get his fair share of carries too.

Key Stats:

121.2 rushing yards per game

24.1 points per game

22.1 points again per game

Game Preview:

The Eagles had to scratch and claw their way to find their way to the playoffs. But here they are, with a home playoff game at 9-7 facing the fifth seed in the wild card round in the 11-5 Seahawks. Nobody is giving Philly a chance in this one due to their record, but teams with nine or fewer wins hosting teams with eleven or more wins in the playoffs are 6-2. Philadelphia also happens to be playing their best ball of the season currently and allow an NFL best 16.8 points per game up at home. Doug Pederson is 2-0 in home playoff games as Eagles coach, and is 4-1 overall. Pederson has his guys believing and embracing the underdog mentality yet again. Seattle is known as a team who historically excels at home and struggles on the road, but this year they went 7-1 on the road and they are battle tested after playing through a challenging NFC West this year.

All signs point to Seattle in this one due to having a better/healthier roster, a QB with more experience, and a coach who has more playoff experience as well. The Seahawks are 1-3 in their last four playoff games though and are struggling right now. They also didn't necessarily dominate the Eagles last time they matched up either squeaking out a 17-9 win in which the Eagles played arguably their worst game of the season. With the Eagles playing their hearts out, in front of their home crowd, and Carson Wentz's confidence sky high going into his first playoff start, Philadelphia will win this one and turn some heads throughout the NFL.

Prediction:

Eagles 27 Seahawks 16

*ALL STATS VIA ESPN*