The upcoming Eagles-Raiders game is more than just another match-up—it's a crucial opportunity for the Eagles to turn their recent struggles around. After losing three consecutive games, Philadelphia will be eager to bounce back against the 2-11 Las Vegas Raiders. But here’s where it gets interesting... Let’s dive into five key aspects to watch as this game unfolds.
1) The Eagles’ Defense Might End Up Facing Their Old Comrade, Kenny Pickett
The Raiders’ quarterback situation has been a rollercoaster. Geno Smith, the anticipated starter for 2025, injured his right shoulder during Sunday’s game against the Broncos, suffering a significant cut in his hand as well. He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, and most signs point to him sitting out this week’s game against Philly.
Smith's season has been a nightmare—leading the NFL with 14 interceptions and holding a very low expected points added (EPA) ranking of -70.73, placing him near the bottom of the league, just above rookie Cam Ward from the Titans. When Smith went down, Kenny Pickett, a familiar face for the Eagles, stepped in and performed well—completing 8 of 11 passes for 97 yards, including a crucial touchdown.
Looking back to last season, Pickett’s single start against the Cowboys resulted in a solid performance—10 completions on 15 attempts for 143 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions, and a high QB rating of 119.6, before leaving due to injury.
Social media's vibe this week suggests many see Pickett as a bit of a joke. But, do quarterbacks only get judged by fame? While he’s not the next Joe Montana, Pickett holds a respectable 15-10 record over his career, though he has never played for a team as struggling as the Raiders currently are.
Playing behind a weak offensive line and throwing to a mostly backup-caliber receiving corps, Pickett isn’t exactly a star. Would I want him as my starter? Probably not. But he’s also far from a complete disaster. Facing him might actually be easier than going up against Smith, especially given the circumstances.
2) Brock Bowers: The Raiders’ Bright Spot on Offense
Among the Raiders' offensive weapons, one standout is second-year tight end Brock Bowers. As a rookie in 2024, Bowers put up impressive numbers—112 catches on 153 targets for nearly 1,200 yards and 5 touchdowns. Although injuries have limited him in 2025, with only 53 catches for 619 yards and 6 touchdowns so far, his talent remains evident.
Bowers excels at running sharp routes, gaining yards after the catch, and is clearly a primary target in the red zone. The Raiders consistently try to create opportunities for him, whether by matchup advantages on the perimeter or complex route combinations designed to free him up.
Defensively, the Eagles’ ability to shut down tight ends has been a highlight. They’ve only allowed about 428 receiving yards to tight ends this season—the lowest in the league. Expect them to focus on containing Bowers and preventing him from becoming a game-breaking threat.
3) Where Might the Eagles Feast? 🍗
One area the Eagles will look to exploit is the Raiders’ run game, which has been a major weakness. In 2024, Las Vegas ranked dead last in rushing yards per game at just 79.8 yards—well behind the second-worst team, which managed 91.8 yards. The Raiders drafted running back Ashton Jeanty sixth overall in the 2025 draft hoping to improve, but the ground game remains ineffective.
In 2025, their rushing average has slightly dipped further—down to 72.7 yards per game—worse than last year’s terrible figures. Opponents have been able to stifle their rushing attempts easily, putting pressure on an already fragile offensive line.
The Raiders’ line has been shuffled due to injuries. Starting left tackle Kolton Miller, their best lineman, is returning from an ankle sprain and fracture but might not be ready for this game. The current starters, including Stone Forsythe at left tackle—who has allowed the most sacks among NFL tackles—will likely face a tough challenge.
On the interior, injuries have caused some reshuffling, with various players shifting positions and new faces stepping in. Still, with Philly’s edge rushers, especially if Lane Johnson remains sidelined, the Eagles’ pass rush should have a field day—making this a prime opportunity for a dominant defensive performance.
Feastin' Level: 8 out of 10 turkey legs! 🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗
4) Who Will Hold Down Maxx Crosby?
Lane Johnson’s injury against the Lions led the Eagles to keep him off IR, hoping he might play. But it looks unlikely he’ll suit up this week. In his absence, Fred Johnson has filled in reasonably well. However, he recently appeared on the injury report with an ankle concern—bad timing, considering Maxx Crosby is a serious threat.
Crosby is in his seventh season and already has amassed 68.5 sacks—a highly productive edge rusher, though not quite at the level of names like Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons. Still, he’s capable of changing the game with big plays. This season, he’s recorded 9 sacks.
The Raiders’ entire team has only managed 26 sacks, ranking 23rd in the league. Given that most of those come from Crosby, the Eagles need a game plan to neutralize him and prevent him from wrecking the game.
If both Lane and Fred Johnson can’t go, the next option might be Matt Pryor—an unsettling thought for Philadelphia fans! Ensuring that Crosby doesn’t dominate the line will be vital.
5) Can Jalen Hurts Take Advantage of Loaded Boxes?
The Raiders defend against the run more than any team in the league, stacking the box to limit rushing threats. Coming off a four-interception game on Monday night, Hurts faces an intimidating challenge. But this also creates opportunities—if Hurts plays better than he has recently, he can find open targets like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert downfield.
Of course, the weather complicates things. Currently, the forecast predicts freezing temperatures around 27 degrees, with strong winds and possible snow early in the morning. These conditions aren’t ideal for a quarterback trying to find rhythm, especially one who’s been slumping.
So, can Hurts shake off the recent struggles and capitalize in such harsh weather? Or will cold and chaos hamper his performance? That’s a story to watch on game day.
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What do you think—will the Eagles finally find their rhythm, or are their recent struggles a sign of tougher days ahead? Drop your thoughts in the comments and share your predictions!
