Eagles vs Patriots: Inactives, Keys to the Game and Pick

The Eagles kick off the month of December as they travel to Foxborough, MA, to square off against the defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. While the Eagles haven’t officially named a starting quarterback for the game, all signs point to Sam Bradford, who is active for the game.

The Eagles dropped an ugly 45-14 decision to Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, while the Patriots lost their first game of the season in overtime in Denver.

Overall, it marks the 13th meeting, including playoffs, between the two teams, with the series knotted at 6-6.  In New England, the Eagles are 1-4 all-time against the Patriots

(Listen on 97.3 ESPN, coverage starts at 3:30pm, Kick-off at 4:25pm)

 Sal Pal on Eagles vs Patriots:

Patriots’ inactives: LB Dont'a Hightower, DT Dominique Easley, WR Julian Edelman, TE Rob Gronkowski, SS Jordan Richards and RB Trey Williams

Outside View: Mike Reiss, ESPN.com NFL Nation 

Matchup to Watch:  Eagles secondary vs Tom Brady

Even though the Patriots are missing many key weapons, look for Tom Brady to try to attack an Eagles secondary has allowed the second-most receiving touchdowns in the league this season and has allowed ten passing touchdowns over the last two weeks.

Brady has to be salivating looking at the numbers this the Eagles defense have given up the last two games.  The Eagles have allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 46 of 67 passes for 583 yards with 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions in those two games, which Philadelphia lost by a combined score of 90-31.

KC Joyner on the Matchups to watch:

Reaction:

The Eagles have shown over the past two weeks that they just simply aren't a good football team.  There defense, that carried them much of the first nine weeks has been embarrassed the last two games vs. mediocre teams - which they are not facing this week in New England.

If the Eagles have anything going for them, they have had 10 days between games and the Patriots have multiple key injuries that they are dealing both on offense and defense.

I simply don't think that will be enough, this Eagles team needs to prove they have heart and desire before I can put any trust in them to win a game where they are this big of an underdog.

The Pick:  Patriots 37, Eagles 20,

John McMullen’s Pick & Take: