As the Eagles moved to 4-0 on Sunday, they seem to finally be getting some respect as the NFL’s last-remaining unbeaten team. The Jaguars look much improved under Doug Pederson and should be considered as a good team that the Eagles defeated. Though I’m sure some will try and write it off as another easy team on the schedule, the Eagles were tested and came back from a 14-0 hole. No matter what the weather was like, it was a great comeback win to keep the train rolling.
Now onto week 5. The Eagles face yet another familiar face in Zach Ertz and look to finish their reunion gauntlet (Jalen Reagor, Doug Pederson, and Zach Ertz) 3-0.
The Cardinals have had an up-and-down first four weeks, going 2-2 with wins over the Raiders and Panthers and losses against the Rams and Chiefs. Their offense has been slow-starting thus far but with Kyler Murray, the Cardinals are a dangerous offense.
Let’s look at four matchups that will affect the game on Sunday.
Jordan Mailata/Jack Driscoll vs. OLB Markus Golden
We haven’t heard anything just yet on the severity of Jordan Mailata’s injury but the initial comments from Sirianni make it seem that it is not overly serious. That being said, Mailata might still have to miss a game or two. Against Jacksonville, third-string left tackle Jack Driscoll stepped in and held his own as the Eagles bludgeoned the Jaguars on the ground to the tune of 210 yards and four rushing touchdowns.
Whoever suits up at left tackle will have to deal with outside linebacker Markus Golden who is off to a slow start but registered 11 sacks last season.
If Mailata does play but plays slightly injured or Driscoll gets the call again, it’s a matchup the Eagles need to win if they want to run all over the Cardinals like they did last week.
Zach Allen and J.J. Watt vs Eagles Interior Line
With Isaac Seumalo’s status up in the air as well, Sua Opeta might get the start at right guard and will have a tough matchup against J.J. Watt and Zach Allen along with the rest of the interior line. Allen and Watt both have great size and combined for five batted passes last week against the Panthers. With Jalen Hurts being a little undersized, the Eagles’ interior will need to hold up and allow Hurts to throw the ball without a hand in his face.
Byron Murphy Jr. vs A.J. Brown
Byron Murphy Jr. has been stellar thus far and held Devante Adams to just 12 yards in their week two matchup with the Raiders and finished the game with a fumble recovered for a touchdown to give the Cardinals the win in overtime. Though he is undersized at 5-11, he’s more than capable of hanging with great receivers.
A.J. Brown coming off another solid performance should look to use his size at 6-5 and run after the catch ability against Murphy Jr.
Eagles Pass Rush vs Cardinals Offensive Line
Much like every week, the battle in the trenches usually decides the game. The Eagles’ pass rush has been the league’s best over the past two weeks while the Cardinals’ offensive line is middle of the pack both in rushing (15th) and passing yards per game (17th). In sacks, the Cardinals have allowed just 7 which is good for 7th in the league.
The Eagles pass rush is red hot with 13 sacks over the past two games and have wreaked havoc causing turnovers including four fumbles from Trevor Lawrence on Sunday.
Featured Image: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
