"Chuck Knocks" is back for another season, but for the first time in five years our Seahawk Opponent Training Camp Previews will live on our website. Fear not, The Feltsulator is coming with us to the website. Game by game, Jackson Felts will simulate the entire 2020 season (not sure he can take the fans out of the stands, so sorry about the lack of authenticity). I'll handle the rest...
WEEK 12: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
THE INTERESTING SCALE: B
The Eagles have punched their ticket for the playoffs each of the last three years. But after winning the Super Bowl in 2017, Philly needed a fierce rally to squeeze into the 2018 postseason and then backed their way in as a soft 9-7 NFC East Champ last year. The point is: Doug Pederson's squad has squandered our expectations that they're going to recapture Super Bowl magic. And after two seasons of "just good enough", they'll have to settle for the preseason label of "playoff contender".
THE NEW FACE AT EAGLES CAMP: DARIUS SLAY
Well, the Lions did it again. They caused another star to beg for greener pastures. And like Shrek or something, the Eagles arrived at Ford castle--not to slay the dragon but for draggin' out the Slay. Darius Slay spent the last three years establishing himself as one of the game's best cornerbacks, and after demanding a trade he now plays for a better team, a better organization and for a lot more money. Pays to complain, I guess.
STAR OF EAGLES CAMP: CARSON WENTZ
Philly used to think this guy walked on water, but Carson Wentz is beginning to drown in criticism. Wentz hasn't been bad, he just hasn't re-established himself as a star since an injury cost him a possible MVP season and Nick Foles promptly led his team to the Lombardi trophy. And now the ghost of Foles haunts him nearly as much as his injury history. Plus, a contract that pays him like Russell Wilson has Eagles fans expecting him to play as well as Russell Wilson. No doubt, Wentz has to be better, and he can be better, but, first things first, he must stay healthy, which will require him to back off his reckless style of play.
FANTASY PICK: TIGHT ENDS
Last year, Eagles Tight Ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert caught a combined 146 passes for 1523 yards and 11 touchdowns. Goedert is only going to get better, and I don't expect the gifted Ertz to fall off one bit. I guess what I'm saying is that Dallas Goedert may not start on his own team, but that shouldn't stop you from starting him on yours.
OUTLOOK: 9-7
For the third year in a row, the Eagles will finish 9-7. But this time it won't be enough. Dallas will win the East at 10-6, and between "Tompa" Bay & the brutally tough West, 10-6 will be the NFC Playoff cover charge.
SEAHAWKS AT EAGLES: WHAT WILL BE SAYING MONDAY MORNING?
"Thankfully, the Hawks got up off the mat with that win over Arizona last week. Otherwise, we'd be talking about a 500 football team this morning. I had a feeling this one was going to be tough, both teams fighting for the playoffs, a second consecutive year having to travel to Philly... Fletcher Cox just continues to be a game-wrecker, and once again the opposing quarterback ended the game with a clean jersey... Tight ends have been a problem for Pete's defense the last few years, and these 2 Eagle dudes are killers. Neither Wentz or Miles Sanders put up huge numbers, but they were great at moving the chains. Philly owned Time of Possession last night. And as you might expect, they looked like the fresher team in the 4th quarter, closing it out for a 24-23 win... Tyler Lockett had his best game of the year, and it was nice to see Rashaad Penny out there for his 2020 debut. Better late than never, I suppose. He should be fresh down the stretch. And even though we sit at 6-5, the last five games look to be the easiest chunk on the schedule. I still feel good about a playoff spot. Might have to go 4-1 though."
THE FELTSULATOR KNOWS ALL, AMERICA...
The Feltsulator Seahawks are 8-2 and headed to the city of brotherly love. TheEagles and Hawks swapped opening drive touchdown passes to Miles Sanders and Greg Olsen, then as the game moved into the second quarter, a Philadelphia field goal regained the lead. Seattle's next drive, anchored by Russell Wilson and Chris Carson, was capped off by a short catch and run touchdown by Tyler Lockett (video). Another Sanders touchdown and Wilson interception brought the half to a close with the Eagles leading 17-14.
The second half started just like the first ended, with a Russell Wilson interception. The tough day continued when Carson Wentz found Alshon Jeffrey for a short score. After two punts and Chris Carson safety, Philadelphia started to eat clock. And with 13 minutes left, they extended their lead to 19 with another Wentz touchdown. The teams would then trade punts before another Wilson interception and Philly field goal finally took us to the last few minutes. With 12 seconds left in the game, Wilson found Greg Olsen for a touchdown, but it was too little, too late as the Feltsulator Seahawks lost 39-23 and fell to 8-3 on the season.
Stats:
Russell Wilson: 30 of 48 for 306 yards, 3 TD and 3 INT
Carson Wentz: 26 of 35 for 249 yards and 3 TD
Miles Sanders: 27 rushes for 109 yards and 1 TD
Chris Carson: 23 rushes for 62 yards
Greg Olsen: 7 catches for 64 yards and 2 TD
DK Metcalf: 6 catches for 66 yards
Alshon Jeffrey: 5 catches for 60 yards and 1 TD