New York Jets: Top 5 questions heading into Week 5 vs Eagles

The New York Jets square off with the Philadelphia Eagles in an inter-conference Week 5 tilt. Here are the top 5 questions heading into the matchup.

The New York Jets have NEVER beat the Philadelphia Eagles in their long storied history with each other. Could the green and white get their first victory in the series on Sunday?

We sat down with Geoffrey Knox, the Site Expert for Inside the Iggles, which is our FanSided sister network covering everything Eagles related. Here are the top five questions heading into Sunday’s matchup.

1. Four games into the season, the Philadelphia Eagles are 2-2, what’s the biggest difference from Eagles’ victories to Eagles’ losses in terms of patterns, trends, or feeling?

Are you interested in hearing something really crazy? There isn’t much of a difference at all. Now, I will admit the Eagles did what they had to do to beat the Green bay Packers. All season long, we’ve been clamoring for more of Jordan Howard and in Week 4, we got that.

The decision to feature Howard paid immediate dividends in both the running and receiving game as he reached the end zone a total of three times. Aside from that, it’s hard to find differences in the games Philly’s won and the ones they haven’t. It’s almost as if they’ve decided that, if they stick to the gameplan, things will work out. Truthfully, that may be a good idea.

The opportunities have been there. Philly just hasn’t executed. This team could be 4-0, but they could also be 0-4. That’s how thin the margin of error has been.

2. What’s the health of this team a quarter of the way through the season? What injuries are you guys monitoring?

Health? What health? I’m kidding. Well, sort of. One of the narratives we’re tired of hearing is ‘next man up’. Jalen Mills began the season on the PUP list. Cre’Von LeBlanc got hurt in training camp.

Fletcher Cox and Brandon Brooks are playing, but neither appears to be 100 percent. Malik Jackson was supposed to be one of the key pieces along the defensive line. He’s out. Timmy Jernigan got hurt the next week, though it appears he may return.

Avonte Maddox is out for a while after being injured versus Green Bay. DeSean Jackson is dealing with something. It seems like this team can’t catch a break. Hopefully this team gets healthy, and hopefully, it’s sooner rather than later.

3. The pivot point appears to be Carson Wentz. If he’s healthy, the Eagles are going to be very good this season. If he’s not, all hell breaks loose. Is that really the case? Has he looked like the same player since returning from yet another injury?

Though Wentz does have the injury history, that’s a narrative that’s really a bit overplayed. Guys get hurt, you know? what happened with the MCL and ACL could have happened with anyone.

There’s nothing definitive that demonstrates the chipped bone in the spine was football-related. At one point, we thought he’d have to wear a brace for the remainder of his career. He hasn’t had to do so, and that’s a good thing.

As far as his value goes, he’s truly an MVP-level talent. As mentioned, Philly could be 4-0 right now. Had Nelson Agholor hauled in that pass down the sideline and if Dallas Goedert and JJ-Arcega-Whiteside had squeezed the ball against Detroit, Philly would be 4-0.

Wentz is off to a great start, and if his teammates do a better job of helping him out when they get the opportunities to do so, this will be a potential MVP season for ’11’. This team has got to stop beating themselves.

The Jets Zone w/ @BoyGreen25 feat. Glenn Erby (@thacover2) of @TheEaglesWire:– Full preview of #NYJvsPHI. – What is the #FlyEaglesFly biggest weakness & how can #TakeFlight take advantage?– A Josh McCown (@JoshMcCown12) reunion! #Jets https://t.co/FtvS0eAPlY

— The Jets Zone (@TheJets_Zone) October 2, 2019

4. Who are some underrated players that could have an impact on this game?

On offense, it may not be a matter of unknowns stepping up as much as guys we know just needing to play better. Two rookies on offense, Miles Sanders and JJ Arcega-Whiteside need to step up and be consistent.

Sanders has shown signs. He just needs to maintain a level of quality. Arcega-Whiteside seems confused about what his role should be. Heck. the Eagles seem confused about what his role is. On Defense, Philly’s down to Akeem Spence and Hassan Ridgeway as the guys who will be a part of that defensive tackle rotation.

In the secondary. Johnathan Cyprien is gone, and the only two corners that we know are healthy are Rasul Douglas, Orlando Scandrick, and Craig James. We’ll have to see how everyone performs. May the Good Lord be with all of us.

5. How do you see this game playing out? What’s your prediction?

In spite of everything, I think a struggling Jets team helps Philly get back on track. Everything we’ve heard suggests that Sam Darnold won’t play either, so with that being said, I’m thinking the Eagles take this one, and I think they win by at least two touchdowns. Final score: Birds 31, Jets 17.