The New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles face off on Friday in an NFL showdown at Lincoln Financial Field. When these two teams faced off in December of 2021 it was the Eagles that secured the 33-18 victory.
The New York Jets finished last season with a 4-13 record overall, but there is some hope that they will be a little more competitive this season. Under center for the Jets is Zach Wilson and he was inconsistent last season, but he also showed some flashes of being a really good quarterback. Behind Wilson is Joe Flacco, Mike White, and Chris Streveler. The Jets were busy this offseason trying to help Wilson. Tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conkln are both going to be key targets for Wilson. The team also selected Garrett Wilson who was a standout at Ohio State. The team has lost Mekhi Becton to a knee injury.
On the other side of this matchup is the Eagles who started off last season slow, but they finished the season strong, and the hope is that momentum will carry over into this season. Under center for the Eagles is Jalen Hurts who some still aren’t sold on but he is going to have a chance to prove he can be the starting quarterback of this team long term. Behind Hurts is Gardner Minshew, Reid Sinnett, and Carson Strong. Strong was a strong quarterback at Nevada, but he is going to need a strong preseason to make the roster. The Eagles offense got better this season bringing in AJ Brown from the Tennessee Titans. On defense the big key this preseason is the defensive line to see if they can put more pressure on the opposing quarterback.
The Eagles are 3-0-1 against the spread in their last four home games. The over is 5-0 in the Eagles last five home games.
I really like Minshew but it’s hard to imagine he is going to play a ton in this game. I do think Strong could end up being a very good backup in this league, and he is going to find success against the 3rd and 4th stringers of the Jets. The play of strong is going to be the difference here as the Eagles secure a cover of the spread.