The New York Jets will face a tough challenge on Sunday when they host the Philadelphia Eagles, who are one of the two remaining undefeated teams in the NFL. The Jets have never beaten the Eagles in their franchise history, losing all 12 previous meetings. Will they be able to break the curse and pull off a stunning upset in Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season?
Eagles’ defense dominates the Rams
The Eagles improved to 5-0 last week with a convincing 23-14 win over the Los Angeles Rams, who had star wide receiver Cooper Kupp back from injury. The Eagles’ defense was impressive, sacking Matthew Stafford four times and holding the Rams to only 249 total yards. The Eagles also did not allow a touchdown in the second half, limiting the Rams to two field goals.
The Eagles’ defense ranks second in the NFL in points allowed per game (15.4) and fourth in yards allowed per game (292.8). They have a balanced unit that can stop both the run and the pass, with defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, linebacker Darius Leonard, and cornerback Darius Slay leading the way. The Eagles will look to continue their dominant performance against the Jets, who have struggled to score points this season.
Jets’ offense shows signs of life against the Broncos
The Jets snapped a three-game losing streak with a 31-21 victory over the Denver Broncos last week, thanks to a breakout performance by rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. Wilson threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions and no sacks. He also ran for 38 yards and another score, showing off his mobility and playmaking ability.
Wilson connected with wide receivers Corey Davis and Elijah Moore for big plays, as they combined for 11 catches, 189 yards, and two touchdowns. The Jets also got a boost from their running game, as Michael Carter and Ty Johnson rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. The Jets will need to replicate their offensive success against the Eagles, who have a much tougher defense than the Broncos.
Key matchups and predictions
One of the key matchups in this game will be between the Eagles’ offensive line and the Jets’ defensive front. The Eagles have one of the best offensive lines in the league, led by left tackle Jason Peters and center Jason Kelce. They have allowed only six sacks this season, while paving the way for their running backs to average 4.6 yards per carry.
The Jets have a talented defensive line, featuring Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Rankins, and Carl Lawson. They have recorded 15 sacks this season, tied for third-most in the league. They will need to pressure Jalen Hurts, who has thrown for 1,507 yards and 10 touchdowns, with four interceptions. Hurts has also rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns, making him a dual-threat quarterback.
Another key matchup will be between the Eagles’ wide receivers and the Jets’ secondary. The Eagles have a young and explosive receiving corps, featuring DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, and Quez Watkins. Smith leads the team with 28 catches for 412 yards and four touchdowns, while Reagor and Watkins have combined for 25 catches for 403 yards and two touchdowns.
The Jets have a vulnerable secondary, especially at cornerback, where they have started rookies Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols. They have allowed 11 passing touchdowns this season, tied for sixth-most in the league. They will have a hard time covering the Eagles’ speedy receivers, who can stretch the field and create big plays.
According to SportsLine’s model which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, the Eagles are favored by 6.5 points over the Jets. The model also projects that Hurts will throw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, while Wilson will throw for 224 yards and one touchdown. The over/under for total points scored is set at 42.5.
Based on these predictions and the historical trends between these two teams, it seems unlikely that the Jets will be able to end their losing streak against the Eagles. The Eagles have a superior defense and a more balanced offense than the Jets, who are still inconsistent and inexperienced. The Eagles should be able to win this game comfortably and remain unbeaten.
