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Week 3 Preview: Eagles at Jets
The Sports Xchange
Philadelphia Eagles (0-2) at New York Jets (0-2)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver
*Keys to the game: The Eagles’ offensive issues begin with a revamped line that is simply not getting the job done and faces a stout Jets defensive front. RB DeMarco Murray, who has just 11 yards on 21 carries, is iffy with a hamstring injury, and the Eagles as a whole have 33 rushing attempts in two games that have gone for negative yardage. Of 16 first-down runs, Philly has a grand total of two yards. It has all gone to put QB Sam Bradford in difficult situations because his strength is not in pushing the ball downfield 10-plus yards in the air. Somehow, the Eagles must create some rushing lanes and find a rhythm in the short passing game to get the up-tempo offense clicking.
Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s solid start (63.8 percent completions, four TDs, two INTs) will keep Geno Smith on the bench, although he could return as the backup this week. With RB Chris Ivory still hobbled by a groin injury, Bilal Powel could be called on for the bulk of the carries. WR Eric Decker’s knee injury could sideline him, which would be a blessing for the Eagles’ revamped secondary that has been torched for 540 yards through two games. Fitzpatrick has always been a streaky quarterback, so if the Eagles can step up against the run they may be able to get the turnovers they need to flip the field.
*Matchup to watch – Eagles CB Nolan Carroll vs. Jets WR Brandon Marshall: Marshall claims to be the most double-covered receiver in the league in recent years, and he can expect a constant dose of it Sunday if Decker is sidelined. Marshall and Carroll played together for two years with the Dolphins and train together in the offseason.
*Player spotlight – Jets WR Devin Smith: The rookie speedster is expected to be active for the first time this season and would be a field-stretching threat for the beleaguered Philly secondary to contend with.
*Fast facts: Eagles CB Byron Maxwell, who signed a six-year, $63 million contract as a free agent, has given up 15 receptions for 240 yards and two touchdowns in 19 targets. … The Jets, who are trying to start 3-0 for just the fifth time in franchise history, are 0-9 all-time against the Eagles. It is the most losses by any NFL team to a single opponent without a victory.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Chip Kelly’s outfit has issues aplenty and is at risk of coming unraveled before the calendar flips to October. The Jets are surging, but this is no slam dunk with several key players coping with injuries.
*Our pick: Jets 23-21
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