Chip Kelly and the Eagles take on the Seahawks this weekend. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
RENTON, Wash. — There are subplots galore on Sunday as the Seattle Seahawks travel to Philadelphia to face the NFC East-leading Eagles.
Pete Carroll vs. his old USC quarterback, Mark Sanchez, whom Carroll famously disagreed with publicly on leaving school early.
And Carroll vs. Chip Kelly, two of the more innovative coaches in the NFL, and former, albeit brief rivals in the Pac-10.
Subplots aside, the Seahawks will take on the Eagles in a matchup of two of the hottest teams in the NFL, each coming off rousing road wins on Thanksgiving Day. Philadelphia defeated Dallas 33-10, while the Seahawks handled the 49ers 19-3.
For Seattle, that was the second win in five days and put the Seahawks back in control of their own destiny in the NFC West.
Evidence of the team’s returning-to-form psyche, though, cornerback Richard Sherman said, “I never thought we didn’t control it.”
Seattle, though, technically didn’t after falling three games behind Arizona in the NFC West race, after a loss at Kansas City on Nov. 16.
But two wins by Seattle and two losses by Arizona in the span of eight days now has the Seahawks at 8-4, right on the heels of the 9-3 Cardinals, with the teams meeting again in Glendale on Dec. 21.
First, though, comes the high-flying Eagles who have one of the most diverse and balanced offenses in the NFL, ranking fifth in passing at 286 yards per game and sixth in rushing at 130.6 per game. The Eagles have scored at least 20 points in every game, losing only in games in which they scored 24 or more.
That makes for an especially intriguing matchup against the Seattle defense, which hasn’t allowed a touchdown in two games.
Just as intriguing, though, is the battle of Seattle’s offense against an Eagles defense that allows 23.8 points per game but also has forced 22 turnovers and has 42 sacks.
Seattle has been efficient, if unspectacular, of late, led by the steadier play of quarterback Russell Wilson. The former University of Wisconsin quarterback has gone three straight games without an interception and has passer ratings of at least 98.2 in each of his last three games. In Wilson’s previous three games, he failed to post a rating of 77.5.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell noted this week that the offensive line is also playing better, in part due to improved health.
“Everything is working better,” Bevell said of the offense. “He (Wilson) is doing a very nice job — he’s doing a great job taking care of the ball. That’s one thing we preach around here, he does a great job with that.”
“He’s been able to make plays with his feet and make some scramble plays.
Bevell has also been pleased with how the receivers have improvised, as Wilson has bought time with his rushing ability. The offensive coordinator also credited the line for its improved pass protection.
The Seahawks, Bevell said, had a game plan for emphasizing straight ahead runs against the 49ers — as opposed to the zone read and plays that called for Wilson to run. As a result, running back Marshawn Lynch finished with 104 yards on 20 carries.
The Seahawks will need a similar performance to keep the ball away from the Eagles and their fast-paced, up-tempo offense.
