Philadelphia Eagles: 3 Bold predictions vs. Chiefs in Week 4
By Tadhg Flynn
The Philadelphia Eagles host the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend, one of the NFL’s Super Bowl favorites. What can fans expect?
The Philadelphia Eagles failed to capitalize on their Week 1 success over the end of September. After demolishing a hapless Atlanta Falcons team on the opening weekend, they have since cooled off. The franchise followed this up with a narrow loss against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 and a blowout divisional loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football in Week 3.
Entering Week 3 with an even record to the Cowboys, the Eagles had a chance to establish themselves as a division leader and the team to beat in the NFC East. Instead, they were blown away by a more coherent and talented offensive unit in Dallas. The Eagles suffered a punishing blow to their hopes of winning their division, and now they face a very tricky schedule over the next month, starting with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs enter Week 4 having underwhelmed so far this year. At the bottom of the AFC West and under .500 for the first time since 2015, the Chiefs have not been the unstoppable train of recent seasons. They have suffered narrow losses and faced difficult opposition, but with the level of talent the roster possesses they will be extremely disappointed.
What can Philadelphia Eagles fans expect on Sunday? We take a look and make a couple of (very) bold predictions for the Week 4 matchup.
3. Philadelphia Eagles defensive line has more sacks than Kansas City
Against Dallas in Week 3, the defensive secondary was picked apart by Dak Prescott. The quarterback had his way with Philadelphia’s coverage, and fans will be apprehensive ahead of facing a dominant Chiefs’ offense. Thankfully, the Eagles defense is not totally hopeless. They have an intimidating defensive line to put in front of Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs so far this season have been a predictable offense. A complete lack of any threat posed by their running game narrows opposition defensive focus entirely on Mahomes as a passer. While thankfully for Chiefs’ fans he is a future Hall of Fame prospect, no quarterback thrives under constant pressure. And the Eagles can apply pressure.
One of the strongest aspects of the entire Eagles’ roster is their defensive line. Through the first three games of the 2021 season, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has 18 tackles (five for loss), 4.0 sacks, a forced fumble, and six QB hits. Fellow tackle Hassan Ridgeway also has a sack.
Defensive end Brandon Graham is a big loss for the team, out for the season with an Achilles injury. But thankfully, Josh Sweat is one of the league’s most promising young players and can make up for his teammate’s absence.
The Kansas City Chiefs have started the season slowly. They are currently bottom of the AFC West and Mahomes threw his first-ever interceptions in the month of September. If there has ever been a time in the past five seasons for a heavy underdog to upset Kansas City, it is now.
Penalties were an issue for the Eagles in Week 3, as the team was flagged 13 times for 86 yards. The team cannot give up these kinds of numbers against the Chiefs’ offense. Giving free yards to such a talented unit spells disaster.
The Eagles will need to disrupt the Chiefs’ passing offense to turn them over. With such an effective and scary pass rush unit, the Eagles may be able to capitalize. I predict that the Eagles’ defensive line will put together more sacks on Patrick Mahomes than the entire Chiefs’ defense will manage on Jalen Hurts.
The Eagles’ quarterback will not spend a lot of time in the pocket on Sunday as he will be a dominant runner for the game. If the Eagles can do the impossible and suffocate Mahomes, the team will give Philadelphia fans some justified optimism for the rest of the season.