Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles head to Detroit in desperate need of a win. After a disappointing defeat against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Eagles have dropped to 2-5 and currently sit in a three-way tie at the bottom of the NFC East.
It’s been a frustrating 2021 campaign thus far for the Eagles, but they will get a fresh opportunity against a struggling opponent this week. The Detroit Lions are still seeking their first win coming into this weekend’s matchup. The current NFL betting odds for the Eagles vs. Lions game has Philadelphia favored on the road at -3 and -160 to win on the money line.
It’s do-or-die time for the Eagles. Can they right the ship with a win? Here are some key things to consider heading into this Week 8 clash.
Jalen Hurts Needs to Find His Groove
After a dazzling Week 1 performance against the Atlanta Falcons, Jalen Hurts silenced many of his critics. However, the following six weeks have been riddled with inconsistent play. Throughout his recent struggles, Hurts has battled with his passing accuracy.
Hurts has completed just 50% of his throws in losses against Las Vegas and Tampa Bay over the past two weeks. In both games, offensive struggles contributed to early double-digit deficits. If the Philadelphia Eagles want to win on the road this week, they need to get off to a better start on offense.
Jalen Hurts must establish a rhythm early and often to keep the Detroit defense on their heels.
Role Players Need to Shine
One way the Eagles can help Jalen Hurts may be to lighten his load. The Eagles lead the league in RPO (run, pass option) plays, making Hurts the central part of their passing and rushing attack. As a result, coach Nick Sirianni will need to find a way to get other key players involved in the offense.
A potentially serious injury to Miles Sanders is yet another setback. In addition, the Eagles will need contributions from Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell to help balance out their rushing attack. Philadelphia will also need to find a way to get key weapons Dallas Goedert and DeVonta Smith more involved in the passing game.
The Right Opponent at the Right Time
Even though the Lions are still seeking their first win, it would be a mistake for the Eagles to overlook them. Detroit has played a very tough schedule up to this point and has remained competitive for the most part. As a result, they are not as bad as their winless record indicates.
With that said, sometimes, the key to getting back some momentum is as simple as the next opponent. Detroit will be hungry and come ready to play, but they are still one of the bottom teams in the league this year. So if Philadelphia plans on a second-half run, this game is a must-win.
Will The Eagles Prevail in Week 8?
The key to victory for the Eagles will be getting off to a fast start. If Philadelphia can avoid falling behind early, they should be able to take some of the burdens off Jalen Hurts.
As slight road favorites, the Eagles represent an intriguing betting option to consider.
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