Eagles Vs. Seahawks Wild Card Playoff Game: What To Know

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Just a month ago, the Philadelphia Eagles had lost to one of the worst teams in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins, a team that wound up finishing 5-11 and in last place. After that game, the Eagles themselves were 5-7, playoff chances plummeting, injury concerns rising, and doubts and rumors about the future of core players and the coaching staff ever swirling.

Yet, somehow, the Birds dug themselves out of the hole, winning four straight games to end the season and clinch the NFC East division title. And now they're in the enviable position of hosting the Wild Card game this Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field, when the 11-5 Seattle Seahawks come to town.

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It's the second straight year the Birds have used late season magic to mount an improbable playoff run. And on the surface, this Birds team might seem mighty similar to last year's team. That team also underperformed for much of the season, weathering criticism from fans and analysts about their true makeup.

That team also finished 9-7, and also faced off against a better (12-4) team that was strongly favored in the Wild Card Round.

Of course, everyone remembers how that ended: the infamous "double doink" blocked field goal that propelled the Birds to victory and the NFC Divisional Round, where they ultimately fell to the top-seeded New Orleans Saints.

Here's the major difference with the 2019-20 version of the Birds: instead of being without their starting quarterback, they're without starters and backups at numerous positions on both sides of the ball. They have Carson Wentz guiding them into the postseason for the first time ever. Players like Cre'Von Leblanc, Dallas Goedert, and Boston Scott are crucial cogs. The team will be without Brandon Brooks, and could have a significantly hampered offensive lane if they're also without Lane Johnson, whose status remains up in the air for Sunday.

Meanwhile, running back Miles Sanders and tight end Zach Ertz remain question marks, as well.

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Given the injuries, the Eagles roller coaster year, and the Seahawks' superior record, it's little surprise that Seattle will come into the game as two point favorites, according to OddsShark. They predict a final score of Seahawks 17, Eagles 9 — ironically, that's the same score the Seahawks won by when these two teams faced off in the regular season, on Nov. 24.

But the Seahawks have suffered their fair share of injuries, too, and will be forced to turn to many second and third stringers, just as the Birds will. This adds so many variables and unknown factors that it might be the most interesting matchup in the first round of the playoffs, and the hardest to truly predict.

Sehawks quarterback Russell Wilson is a postseason veteran, having guided his team to two NFC championships and one Super Bowl victory. He turned in another stellar season in 2019, ranking up there with some of the best arms in the NFL. Between Wilson and running back Chris Carson, who ran for an elite 1,230 yards this season, the Birds defense will have their hands full.

However, the Seahawks defense is something of a weakness, as they gave up more points during the regular season than any other playoff team. And the Eagles have been in this backs against the wall position all season: every week has felt like a must-win game, every surprising loss or poor performance only built up tremendous pressure for the final moments of the year, and when things counted the most, the Eagles showed up ready to fight.

Kickoff is at 4:40 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5.