Raiders at Eagles: Key things that actually matter on Sunday

The Eagles are back home on a short week, staring down a get-right opportunity against the 2–11 Las Vegas Raiders. Philadelphia is 8–5, riding a three-game losing streak that feels heavier than it should, and the vibes around the team are… tense.

Still, this is exactly the type of matchup that should allow the Eagles to stop the bleeding. Here are the key things that actually matter on Sunday.

Welcome home Kenny Pickett

First up, Vic Fangio versus Kenny Pickett. With Geno Smith expected to miss the game because of a shoulder injury, the Raiders are likely turning to former Eagles backup Kenny Pickett. Yes, that Kenny Pickett. He spent one season in Philly, finished off the Super Bowl win in New Orleans, then bounced from Cleveland to Vegas.

Pickett played decently in relief last week, completing 8 of 11 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown, but context matters. He will be playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in football, with the league’s worst rushing attack doing him zero favors. Fangio’s defense just racked up seven sacks and constant pressure against Justin Herbert.

If the Eagles take care of early downs and force Pickett into obvious passing situations, this could snowball quickly.

Don’t sleep on Brock Bowers

The one offensive player the Raiders do have is Brock Bowers, and he is very real. Bowers is their best weapon and the clear focal point of their passing game, especially in the red zone. Even with missed time this season, he has six touchdowns and is capable of wrecking a game if left unchecked.

The good news for Philly is that defending tight ends has been one of the strongest aspects of Fangio’s defense. The Eagles have allowed the fewest receiving yards to tight ends in the NFL. This is strength versus strength, and if the Eagles can limit Bowers, the Raiders do not have much left.

Where the Eagles should really eat is up front.

The Raiders’ offensive line is a mess. They have allowed 50 sacks this season, most in the league, and their tackles in particular have been turnstiles.

Left tackle Stone Forsythe has allowed double-digit sacks despite not even starting the full season, and right tackle DJ Glaze has also been a liability. The Eagles’ pass rush has been trending in the right direction, with multiple players generating pressure instead of relying on one guy.

If the run game is shut down, which it should be given how bad the Raiders are on the ground, this is a prime opportunity for another dominant defensive line performance.

On the flip side, the biggest concern for the Eagles is Fred Johnson versus Maxx Crosby. If Lane Johnson misses his fourth straight game, Fred Johnson will again be asked to hold up against one of the league’s most relentless pass rushers.

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Crosby lines up against right tackles almost exclusively and rarely comes off the field. He is the Raiders’ heartbeat and their best chance at wrecking this game defensively. The Eagles will need help built into the game plan, whether that means chips, tight ends, or sliding protection. Leaving Fred Johnson alone all afternoon is asking for trouble.

Saquon Barkley versus the Raiders’ run defense…

Barkley finally cracked 100 yards again on Monday night, and the run game has shown some signs of life. The Raiders are middle of the pack in run defense, but the numbers are misleading.

They stack the box more than any team in football, and it is not even close. That tells you what their entire defensive philosophy will be on Sunday. Stop the run, dare Jalen Hurts to beat them, and live with the results.

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Can Jalen Hurts make them pay?

That’s the biggest question of the game. How will Hurts respond after last Monday night in Los Angeles? The Raiders are going to load the box, especially after Hurts’ nightmare turnover game against the Chargers.

Opportunities will be there for A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert. The conditions will be ugly, cold, windy, and possibly snowy, which does not help a quarterback trying to find rhythm.

Still, this is the NFL. Hurts does not need to be perfect. He just needs to be better than he has been, take what is there, and avoid the backbreaking mistakes.

Rain, Sleet, or Snow…

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The Raiders are bad, undermanned, and broken up front.

The Eagles are flawed, frustrated, and under pressure, but still far more talented.

If Philly cannot take advantage of this matchup at home, then the panic will officially be justified. This is the week to stop the slide. Anything less opens the door to something much uglier.

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