Philadelphia Eagles vs. Buffalo Bills Preview: Philly on Upset Alert?
The Philadelphia Eagles return home to host the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Fincancial Field on Sunday afternoon in a matchup highlighted by the first meeting between quarterbacks Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts. The two dynamic quarterbacks rank No. 1 and 2 in rushing touchdowns since 2020.
The Bills are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive while the Eagles boast the best record in the NFL. Both teams are coming off big wins in Week 11, as the Bills beat the Jets 32-6 and the Eagles won at Kansas City 21-17.
The Eagles defense will look to get after Allen. In the first game under new offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Allen finished with 275 yards and three touchdowns, including an 81-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir that is the longest scoring play from scrimmage in the NFL this season.
Currently in the AFC playoff picture, Buffalo is on the outside looking in sitting at No. 8. The Bills are chasing the first-place Miami Dolphins in the division and with six games remaining, every win gets them closer to qualifying for the postseason.
Though the Bills have been shaky this season, their dominant win over the Jets shows that they might start getting hot late in the year. The Eagles' only loss so far this season came at the hands of those same Jets in Week 6.
It's safe to say that, despite their league-best record, the Eagles should be well aware of what Allen and Co. can do when they're clicking on all cylinders.
Jalen Hurts
© Bill Streicher, USA TODAY
Philadelphia is hunting for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture and will need Hurts to continue his excellence to get there. He's on a streak of 13 consecutive victories against teams with winning records. Although Hurts wasn't statistically stellar in the Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs Monday night, his clutch play and two rushing touchdowns led the Eagles to the victory.
Keep an eye out for A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith against the Bills secondary. Brown is tied for the second most receiving yards in the league with 1,013 and six touchdowns. Smith has 632 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
FUN FACT: Bills coach Sean McDermott is heading back to Philadelphia for the first time since becoming a head coach. Philly is where his coaching career started in 1999 and he attended high school about 30 minutes from Lincoln Financial Field.
RECORDS: Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) vs. Buffalo Bills (6-5)
ODDS: Philadelphia is a 3.5-point favorite vs. the Bills
GAME TIME: Sunday, Nov. 26th, 2023 at 4:25 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia, Penn.
TV/RADIO: CBS, WGR 550
THE FINAL WORD: Hurts after beating the Chiefs:
“There is a calmness there,” said Hurts about not letting the first-half woes become even bigger in the second half. “You have to truly remain in control. I try to never get too high or too low."
