Match-Up
By Joe Mason, NFL Contributing Writer
(Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Eagles will attempt to win their third straight game without Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb when they travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks in a Week 14 affair on Sunday at Seahawks Stadium.
The Eagles relied on their defense a week ago, as they defeated the St. Louis Rams, 10-3. Philadelphia's defense forced five turnovers -- two interceptions and three fumbles -- and the team scored the only touchdown of the game on a Bobby Taylor interception return.
"It was important that we came out and played emotional football," said Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid. "There can be a little bit of a lull after a Monday night game, especially one as big as that was [versus San Francisco in Week 12]. The guys came out and they did that, they played emotional football, and that's the important thing that they do that every week."
With a win in their game against the Seahawks coupled with a loss or tie by the New York Giants against Washington, the Eagles can clinch the NFC East title for the second straight year. Philly would also claim the division crown with a tie and a Giants loss.
The Seahawks' comeback bid against San Francisco came up a bit short last week, as the Niners held on for a 31-24 victory. Matt Hasselbeck completed 30- of-55 passing attempts for a franchise-record 427 yards and three touchdowns.
"I think the game was real indicative of our season," said Seattle coach Mike Holmgren. "But it's also indicative of our team, we have some kids that never say die and battle back. We had a chance at the end but we made too many mistakes against a team like the 49ers, starting with the opening kickoff, catching the ball on the three yard line but I do like the fact that they battle, and they continued to battle. They're not playing for the playoffs, they're not playing for anything other than the fact that they are professional football players and that's what they do and they have a lot of pride in that."
SERIES HISTORY: The Eagles own a 5-3 advantage in the head-to-head series, but the Seahawks have emerged victorious in two of the past three meetings. In the second game of the 2001 season, McNabb threw two touchdown passes to give the Eagles a 27-3 victory over the Seahawks.
Reid is 1-0 lifetime versus the Seahawks, while Holmgren is 3-4 against the Eagles.
EAGLES OFFENSE VS. SEAHAWKS DEFENSE
The Eagles' offense wasn't spectacular under the direction of QB A.J. Feeley, but it did enough to win. Feeley, making his first career start because of the injuries to McNabb (broken ankle) and Koy Detmer (dislocated elbow), completed 14-of-30 passes for 181 yards. His numbers would be even more impressive, but the team's receivers had a hard time catching the ball in the sub-freezing temperatures. Despite his mistake-free day, Feeley is hoping that he can improve upon his first start when he goes against the Seahawks on Sunday.
"I imagine I?ll be more comfortable than I was, but for that first start I felt really, really good," Feeley said. "If I can go into the Seattle game feeling as comfortable as I did in the last game then I?ll be fine. I?m sure each and every snap I get here in practice and on the field I get more confident and comfortable. I don?t think things are going to change that much.
"I played well enough for us to win -- let?s put it that way. I?d like to have a couple throws back, but for the most part I thought I did very well considering it was my first start. I?m a hard critic of myself. I could play better. There?s a lot of things I need to do better and hopefully I?ll be able to do it this Sunday."
Feeley did play well enough to win, but their was plenty of room for improvement from the offense. The team lost four fumbles and penalties were a constant thorn in the side of the offense.
This week could be a challenge for the young quarterback. The Seahawks like to blitz, and he expects to see different formations from Seattle in his second game as a starter.
"They give us a lot of different looks. I think they?re going to come after me," Feeley said. "There aren?t many indicators as to what they?re going to throw at me. They bring so many different guys. It?s not like it?s a routine thing where when this guy comes they do this. It?s kind of sporadic. They?ll send anybody, there?s going to be a lot of looks that we have to prepare for."
The Eagles will need a strong effort from their running game this week. Last week, RB Dorsey Levens provided a spark by gaining 64 yards on 12 carries. This week, the combination of Levens and Duce Staley will have to make an impact on the Seahawks' poor rush defense. The Eagles rush for an average of 150.4 yards per game (fifth in NFL), while the Seahawks have the worst run defense in the NFL. The Eagles must take advantage of this, especially considering Feeley's inexperience.
This week, the Seahawks' defense will be without one of its catalysts. LB Isaiah Kacyvenski, who has recorded 71 tackles and an interception in nine games this season, was placed on the injured reserve. Kacyvenski has been battling shoulder and ankle problems all season.
"It's a little bit indicative of the linebacker situation in general," Holmgren said. "It was a tough year for him because there were high expectations, and he's been playing hurt a little bit."
Orlando Huff will get the nod in Kacyvenski's absence. But don't expect much to improve. The Seahawks are allowing 23.3 points (21st in the league) and 373.2 yards per game (29th).
SEAHAWKS OFFENSE VS. EAGLES DEFENSE
With the exception of the two interceptions, Hasselbeck had a career day against the 49ers, but the outcome was just another loss. Holmgren is hoping that his young signal-caller can put together back to back strong efforts in order to boost his confidence.
"Any time you have back-to-back weeks, it helps," Holmgren said. "There's more confidence, you have more success. Those are the things you build on. It's just like winning games, where you win and the easier it is to win. I made a statement at the end of the year, again this is new territory for us, but the training room gets a little more full at the end of the year.
"If you're going for the Super Bowl or the playoffs, it's not quite as full. Does that mean guys are healthier on winning teams versus teams that are struggling? No. Maybe it hurts a little bit more or you don't battle through it quite as much. It's a big challenge, a test for us these last four weeks, and we'll just see how people handle it on an individual basis."
There could be a major problem for Hasselbeck this week. His favorite target last week was Darrell Jackson, who caught seven passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. But Jackson suffered a bruised kidney and will try to play at less than 100 percent versus Philadelphia.
The Seahawks will probably focus on their running game this week. Shaun Alexander is one of the most talented tailbacks in the NFL. But the Eagles rank third in the NFL against the run, allowing just 93.4 yards per game, so Seattle's offensive line will have to step up.
"The success any back has, he has to have his line going for him," Holmgren said. "You can have great runners, but if there's no room for him, it's pretty tough. So we have had some movement up there on the offensive line, that's one thing. The second thing is I think Shaun has had some real highlights this season, and then he's had some games where it didn't work for him.
"I think in the last three weeks in my opinion, he has played his best football. He's catching the ball very very well. He's running more north and south, which is something I've asked him to do. He's practicing hard, and we seem to be giving him a little more room, too. We're blocking better."
If last week was any indication, Hasselbeck could be in trouble. The Eagles sacked Warner eight times and now the Eagles lead the NFL in sacks with 42 on the year.
One player who could play with a little more fire in his belly is Eagles middle linebacker Levon Kirkland. Kirkland was released in the preseason by the Seahawks and shortly thereafter signed with the Eagles. Kirkland now looks forward to the challenge of playing against the team that cut him.
"I think the last couple of games they've been playing pretty well," Kirkland said of the Seahawks' offense. "Matt seems to be very comfortable in his decision making and the players seem to have a grasp of the offense, so they run it pretty well and this is a team we are not going to sleep on. We're going to go out there and play physical, we're going to be aggressive against them and give them what we got."