The Philadelphia Eagles aim to build even more momentum following a 20-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts as the team travels down to Nashville, Tennessee to engage in-battle with another AFC South foe, the Tennessee Titans.
This week’s matchup isn’t as anticipated as last week’s, when Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz finally made is glorious return to the team from a torn ACL that kept him away the first two games. Lincoln Financial Field erupted with excitement when Wentz stormed out of the tunnel to greet and join his fellow teammates.
Wentz must have channeled the Philadelphia crowd energy into adrenaline as he came-out the gate looking as-sharp-as ever Week 3 against the Colts, just like how many Eagles fans hoped for. The start was Wentz first since tearing his ACL week 14 of 2017.
On the first drive of the game, Wentz completed five out of seven throws to three different receivers for a total of 55 yards passing, on a drive concluded with him throwing a laser-pass to rookie tight-end, Dallas Goedert, for a 13-yard touchdown.
Carson Wentz spoke to the media on his season debuting performance versus the Colts. “I felt good. It felt good to finally be out there. It’s kinda been a long time coming. Obviously, there is a lot of excitement and a lot of emotions. But coming out the way we did, that hot start going right down the field. Going into some no huddle tempo felt good.”
The rest of the game on the other hand, Wentz struggled at times connecting with his pass catchers. After the opening-drive, Wentz completed 20 out of 30 pass attempts for an underwhelming 200 yards while also throwing an interception.
If the Eagles expect to win their next game against the Titans, they need a more consistent game out of their franchise quarterback. Tennessee brings a known defense to the party as Wentz and company need to be aware of the havoc they can cause.
Philadelphia is going up against a Titan defense that will bend but won’t break. Tennessee will look to not allow the Eagles to move the ball up-and-down the field, just like they have to everyone else so far in 2018: with an average rank of 12th best in total yards against this season.
On the contrary, the Titans are the 4th best scoring defense with an average of 16.7 points scored against. It is possible this impressive defensive success correlates to the hiring of new Head Coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel got hired in January this year from the Huston Texans to establish a championship culture in Tennessee.
Vrabel played outside linebacker his whole 11-year career in the NFL. Within those seasons, he won three Super Bowls in just eight years as a player with the New England Patriots. In addition, he learned under maybe one of the greatest defensive coordinators and head coach of all-time, Bill Belichick.
Besides preparing for a stingy defense, the Eagles may still be without their Pro-Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who is still recovering from surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.
Jeffrey was a big factor in winning the team’s first ever Super Bowl trophy just last season, as he led the team with a total of 12 touchdowns, 3 of which came during the Eagles impeccable playoff run. Jeffery would be a big help to a team that is struggling to be effective on offense.
Jeffrey has recently signed a multi-yearcontract extension with the Eagles who hope it will not be long before seeing him back playing on Sundays. Jeffrey has been sidelined all of the 2018 season and hopes to make the leap from being questionable to cleared for full contact.
as been mediocre ranking 20th best. With a team with so much talent and an all-time talent at the quarterback position, you’d foresee this offense to get it buttoned-up.
Both the Eagles and the Titans are currently in first place in their respected divisions which makes Sunday’s showcase such a key week four matchup.
Kickoff is set for Sunday at 1:00 p.m. from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee as the defending Super Bowl Champions look to stay hot in 2018.