PHILADELPHIA − Under normal circumstances, this could be the most anticipated game of the season featuring a potential Super Bowl preview just two weeks before the start of the NFL playoffs with two dynamic quarterbacks in the Bills' Josh Allen and the Eagles' Jalen Hurts.
And for the Buffalo Bills, it certainly does feel that way as they must win in order to keep their hopes alive of winning the AFC East, although they did clinch a playoff berth when the Indianapolis Colts lost on Dec. 22.
The Eagles clinched the NFC East by beating Washington on Dec. 20. They're currently the No. 3 seed, with slim chances to either move up to No. 2 or down to No. 4. They were eliminated from getting the No. 1 seed and first-round bye when the 49ers beat the Colts on Dec. 22.
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So it's possible the Eagles could look to rest some key players, knowing that they'll be playing in the opening round of the playoffs in two weeks. Then again, right tackle Lane Johnson and defensive tackle Jalen Carter have missed the previous five and three games, respectively, with injuries.
There's a chance they could return this week. If so, the Eagles might want them to get into a game before the playoffs just to get their stamina back.
"Every guy's a little different. Every scenario's a little different," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said about Johnson and Carter. "Last year we had rested guys, but Dallas Goedert was just coming back (from injury) in that last game ... (and) we got him some early touches and that was good for him.
"So you do think about your past situations, and when you've been through those things before. But you're trying to make the best decision for each guy."
Still, momentum could mean something, especially if the Eagles will rest most of their players against the Commanders on Jan. 4. And beating the Bills in Buffalo could be a major statement game for the Eagles heading into the postseason.
Here's how we see the game going:
Our prognosticators are Martin Frank (Eagles beat writer/columnist, Delawareonline.com), Greg Giesen (sports strategist, Delawareonline.com), Tom McGurk (sports editor, Courierpostonline.com), Tom Moore (sports columnist, Phillyburbs.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, app.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports betting analyst & columnist, Northjersey.com), Tom Haines (Pennsylvania state planning), Brad Myers (high school sports writer, Delawareonline.com), Kevin Tresolini, (college sports reporter, Delawareonline.com), Michelle Ganassi (audience director & die-hard Steelers fan, Delawareonline.com), Tom Rimback (sports writer, Courierpostonline.com), Brandon Holveck (high school sports reporter, Delawareonline.com)
Martin Frank
This should be a good game for the Eagles' resurgent running game to gobble up yards and control time of possession, thus keeping Josh Allen and James Cook, the NFL's rushing leader with 1,532 yards, off the field. Buffalo ranks 30th against the run, allowing 144 yards per game. So Saquon Barkley (1,072) yards could have another big game. Then again, the Bills need this game more than the Eagles do, and it's in Buffalo.
The pick: Bills 28, Eagles 26
Greg Giesen
The Eagles have a 0.2% chance of getting the top seed and need the Bears to lose out for the No. 2 seed. Suffice to say, it looks like the Birds are a No. 3 seed. It's time to heal up. The Bills need to keep winning if they want a shot at the AFC East title. Hungry dogs run faster.
The pick: Bills 24, Eagles 20
Tom Rimback
Since outplaying Patrick Mahomes in a loss at Super Bowl LVII, Jalen Hurts is a perfect 14-0 against Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Jordan Love, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff and Josh Allen. In that span, Hurts has 17 touchdowns and six interceptions compared to 20 TDs and 14 picks for those other guys. Hurts has added 14 rushing touchdowns to just three as well.
That makes Hurts at least a top 25 quarterback in this league.
The pick: Eagles 40, Bills 6
Tom Haines
The Eagles have shown the past two weeks they can easily dispose of the NFL's bottom-feeders. But are they really back in form in time for the playoffs? The answer is yes.
The pick: Eagles 27, Bills 23
Brad Myers
After picking the Eagles to win every week so far ... I'm going with Buffalo this week. Just think the Bills will score too many points for the Birds to keep up.
The pick: Bills 31, Eagles 22
Tom McGurk
With the Birds still in position to move up in the playoff seedings, the team should have plenty of incentive to go for the victory this week. And what does this squad need the most? Jake Elliott to start making some kicks. He'll get the job down this week with a couple of big field goals, including the game-winner in the closing minute.
The pick: Eagles 27, Bills 24
Kevin Tresolini
The Eagles just have not played well enough to warrant being favored to win this game, especially with the Bills playing at home and Buffalo's greater need to prevail.
The pick: Bills 31, Eagles 27
Bert Bainbridge
It's ironic that the two late afternoon games in the NFL feature a battle for the No. 1 pick (Giants vs. Raiders) and this must-see matchup in Buffalo.
With rain in the forecast, I expect it to be a heavy dose of the run game on both sides. While I believe Eagles' RB Saquon Barkley could be in for a big spot here, I believe the Bills rushing attack between QB Josh Allen an RB James Cook will be too much for the Philly defense to handle.
It's a close one throughout but ultimately Buffalo wins by less than a field goal.
The pick: Bills 30, Eagles 28
Tom Moore
The Bills need the game more than the Eagles, but the Birds have won in similar situations earlier this season.
The pick: Eagles 28, Bills 27
Bob Jordan
The third seed would only assure the Eagles one home game in the Wild Card Round. Is the No. 2 seed worth chasing? Hell no! Get your best players rested and ready for the postseason.
The pick: Bills 31, Eagles 10
Michelle Ganassi
I think the Bills have something to prove and the Eagles already punched their ticket to the playoffs. With the Bills home record I think this week will be another win for the Bills mafia.
The pick: Bills 21, Eagles 7
Overall records
11-4: Haines, Giesen
10-5: Rimback, Ganassi, Myers
9-6: Moore, Tresolini, Holveck
8-7: McGurk
8-6: Bainbridge
7-8: Frank
5-10: Jordan
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
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