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The NFL preseason is wrapping up this weekend as teams across the league look to make their final cuts. On Friday night the games begin, and the Philadelphia Eagles will face the New York Jets.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts missed the previous game against the New England Patriots with an illness, spoiling the chance to finally see the Hurts-DeVonta Smith feature in the NFL. Of course, they were teammates at Alabama, but now they reunite in the NFL.
Hurts should be ready to roll for this game, and hopefully he and Smith can get a little run together before the season begins.
With that said, here are four bold predictions for the Eagles preseason finale against the Jets.
4. Joe Flacco wins the backup job
The Eagles brought on Joe Flacco to be the backup to Hurts. At the time of the signing, many were surprised, thinking Flacco's days as anything other than a clipboard holder were behind him. However, he hasn't looked half-bad.
In the preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he went 10-17 with 178 yards and a touchdown. Then he went 10-17 for 83 yards with an interception against the New England Patriots, but he looked serviceable by all means, despite his horrific start to the game.
Oh no Joe Flacco 😳pic.twitter.com/a3OTdBsd1N
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) August 19, 2021
Nick Mullens has looked much worse, and if Flacco can be average, he should win the job for being the backup to Jalen Hurts.
3. Hurts and Smith connect on a TD
It remains to be seen how much Hurts plays, if at all, but he should get some snaps, especially after missing the game against the Patriots. We might finally get to see a Hurts to Smith touchdown pass at the NFL level, and that is something Eagles fans–and Alabama fans– have been itching to see for quite some time.
If Nick Sirianni lets Hurts get some run, look for him to lead a successful drive down the field and perhaps connect with Hurts on a score.
2. Eagles defense looks decent
The Eagles got absolutely demolished by the Patriots, 35-0, in their previous preseason game. The Patriots had their way. Both Mac Jones and Cam Newton looked the part of a starting quarterback, and the running backs for New England combined to rush for four scores on the evening.
The Jets had the second overall choice for a reason, and they are likely to struggle against the Eagles, which could be a huge confidence boost for this defensive unit. Zach Wilson has shined in Jets camp, but after that, the Eagles should have no issues slowing down the Jets.
1.Kenneth Gainwell is unleashed
The Eagles selected Gainwell in the 5th round of the draft out of Memphis and have been excited for what he brings to their team. So far, in the two preseason games, Gainwell has combined for 35 yards on the ground and 39 yards in the receiving game.
But, this could be the game that Gainwell explodes and the Eagles can finally showcase their rookie running back. He could very easily eclipse 50 yards on the ground and make at least one trip to the end zone against the Jets, setting the table for a nice Miles Sanders-Kenneth Gainwell duo.
