How are you feeling about this matchup?
Remember how the Philadelphia Eagles mostly played non-1:00 PM starts last season? That experience often led to me watching the Pittsburgh Steelers in the early games window.
I bring that up to say that I’ve already seen a good deal of Kenny Pickett at the NFL level. His supporting cast in Philly is obviously different (read: better), so, that’s a significant factor to consider.
But I have a hard time shaking how watching Pickett in those games was such a slog.
Of course, the Steelers would often find a way to win. And I think the Eagles should manage to beat the Dallas Cowboys today. The Cowboys are just sooooo banged up and I expect Vic Fangio’s defense to shut down Cooper Rush again.
However, I just don’t expect the offense to look pretty. That is, unless Saquon Barkley is able to run all over the Cowboys. Hard to rule out that possibility but one would think the Cowboys will be doing everything to focus on stopping Barkley and making Pickett win with his arm. That plan will be easier drawn up than fully executed.
Still, just not feeling amazing about Pickett heading into this one. He didn’t look great in Pittsburgh. Then he didn’t look great in training camp practices and preseason games. Then he didn’t look great in relief of Jalen Hurts last weekend. Not terrible, not the reason they lost the game … but not very inspiring.
In addition, Pickett is less than 100% healthy. He was listed as limited in two out of three practices leading up to this game due to his ribs injury. He’s also been wearing extra padding around his midsection. If Pickett was fully healthy, do the Eagles really feel the need to use a roster spot on Ian Book to have around as the emergency third quarterback?
It’s hard to deny that the narrative of Pickett starting in this spot isn’t cool. The New Jersey native grew up as a big Eagles fan and he has a chance to help his favorite team clinch the NFC East and no worse than the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture. And he can do it by leading the Eagles to a win over a hated division rival.
The big thing for Pickett here is that he needs to avoid being the reason the Eagles lose. He doesn’t need to be the top reason they win. If Pickett can avoid turning it over repeatedly, the combination of Barkley and the Eagles defense should be able to do enough to beat Dallas.
Doesn’t have to be pretty. Just get the job done.
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Score prediction:
Bold prediction:
My predictions:
Score prediction: 19 to 13, Eagles win.
Bold prediction: Quinyon Mitchell finally gets his first career interception.
Your predictions:
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