Week 18 Predictions: Will the Eagles remain No. 1 or fall to fifth?

Posted on January 8, 2023

The final regular-season game is here and rather than it being a meaningless game, there’s a lot on the line for Philadelphia. The Eagles will host the New York Giants, and if they want to remain the No. 1 seed, a win is a must.

With the return of quarterback Jalen Hurts, can the MVP candidate lead the Eagles to a victory before entering playoff season?

EAGLES VS GIANTS

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles struggled over the last two games, but quarterback Jalen Hurts is back, and there is absolutely no way he is going to let Philadelphia lose this game.

With Hurts on the field, the team is 13-1. He has thrown for 3,472 yards and 22 touchdowns, rushing for 747 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has one of the lowest interceptions rates in the league, and isn’t an MVP candidate for nothing.

His relationship on the field with Brown and Smith will be highlighted today, as the offense will attempt to recover from their poor performance last week.

Aside from Hurts, the Eagles are also gaining back safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Prior to his injury, he led the NFL in interceptions, and he’ll be looking to make up for lost time.

Philadelphia’s defense is also five sacks away from making history. They are the first team since 1982 to finish with 6+ sacks in their last five consecutive games. And, if they reach 73, the Eagles will become the first team to do so in a season.

New York Giants

The Giants, on the other hand, have essentially nothing to play for. New York has already locked in the No. 6 seed, and despite being coy all week about what their game plan is, it’s pretty telling.

Quarterback Daniel Jones is expected to sit this one out, as Davis Webb will start. Webb, was a third-round selection in 2017, but was waived the following season. He joined the Giants again this year, and was called up from the practice squad for today’s game. Webb has never thrown a pass in his NFL career.

Joining Jones on the sideline will be running back Saquon Barkley. The team will also have a number of inactives due to injury, including defensive lineman Leonard Williams and linebacker Azeez Ojulari.

WEEK 18 PREDICTIONS

The Eagles haven’t lost at home to the Giants since Chip Kelly was head coach, and today isn’t going to change history.

After beating New York by 26 points in their last match-up, a similar game will be played this afternoon. It’s likely the Eagles play all of their starters for the first half of the game. After gaining a lead, Gardner Minshew and a slew of back-ups will take the field to finish out the match-up against New York.

Vegas has Philadelphia listed as 14-point favorites, and they always know. The Eagles will become the NFC East champs, clinch the No. 1 seed, and walk into playoffs as a more confident team.

Prediction: Eagles, 37-17

 

Kickoff beings Sunday, January 8 at 4:25 PM.

Alicia Andaloro Avatar
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Alicia Andaloro

Alicia was born and raised in Philadelphia, becoming an avid Eagles fan as a child. She graduated from Penn State University and now works in the medical field. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and baking.

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