The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets will finish up their respective preseason schedules on Thursday at MetLife Stadium.
Eagles vs. Jets 2013 game preview: Rex Ryan, Geno Smith and the boys face Chip Kelly and Co.
Philadelphia can showcase its new offense one more time against Geno Smith and the boys.
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia seems ready to start the regular season after naming Michael Vick as its starting quarterback to run the fast system of new head coach Chip Kelly. On the other sideline, the Jets appear as though they could use another month before the games count, sporting a disaster at the quarterback position.
Both teams have been in the headlines this offseason for all the wrong reasons, ranging from Mike Goodson’s arrest and Riley Cooper’s racism to Jeremy Maclin’s torn ACL and Rex Ryan turning his back on the media.
On Thursday, another chapter begins for both sides.
Meet the Eagles
Philadelphia has a very interesting position coming into the season: The team is expected to finish last in the NFC East. In recent years, the Eagles have gone into the year with very high expectations, including two years ago when they had put together the “Dream Team” only to finish 8-8.
With Andy Reid having moved on to Kansas City, the Eagles hired Kelly to come in and restore this proud franchise. The problem is a defense that doesn't look like a solid unit, giving up massive chunks of yards. Outside of Trent Cole and Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia doesn't have any standout players on that side of the ball. The secondary is a major question mark with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie having left in free agency.
Meet the Jets
No team is a bigger mess than New York. Certainly, teams such as the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders have less talent, but the Jets are the epitome of dysfunctional. With Ryan seemingly becoming more unglued by the day, everything appears to be on a downward spiral as the coach heads into his fifth year.
Of course, the headlines are all about the quarterbacks, but there are other problems. With Santonio Holmes only recently returning to practice after suffering a Lisfranc injury last season, the receiving corps is brutal. Braylon Edwards was released on Monday, leaving only Stephen Hill and Jeremy Kerley on the roster with any kind of name recognition. Regardless of who wins the quarterback battle, the offense is going to be ugly in Gotham.
Local takes: Eagles
Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation talks about the cornerback issues in Philly:
The Eagles could certainly be looking to trade for a depth CB (or two?) in the upcoming weeks. Or perhaps they will wait until cut down day and grab a CB that another team cuts. They could certainly use the depth.
Local takes: Jets
Gang Green Nation’s Scott Salmon writes about Geno’s showing against the Giants:
Anthony Becht has said that it was the most accurate performance of a New York quarterback since Chad Pennington. In my opinion, Becht isn't far off. We saw Smith do things that Mark Sanchez has never been able to do, at least not consistently, such as complete a screen pass and accurately place a ball.
Follow the Fun
Be sure to check out SB Nation’s team blogs, Gang Green Nation and Bleeding Green Nation, for more analysis and highlights from the game.
Add these fine follows to your Twitter timeline:
The BGN staff predicts the Eagles' 53-man roster and practice squad following first cuts http://t.co/JIAhyoT7OA
— BleedingGreenNation (@BleedingGreen) August 27, 2013
Geno Smith GIF Breakdown - NYJ@NYG http://t.co/PsZ3ZJRH5o
— Gang Green Nation (@GangGreenNation) August 27, 2013
@MMehtaNYDN - Jets beat writer for the New York Daily News
Jets sign kicker Dan Carpenter and release Billy Cundiff. #nyj
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) August 27, 2013
@Jeff_McLane - Eagles beat writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer
#Eagles backup T Dennis Kelly expected to miss at least first two games of the season after back surgery. More here: http://t.co/sHFMOGWQGL
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 27, 2013
Prediction
At this point in the preseason, the final score doesn’t matter unless you’re Rex Ryan. With this bit of news, it’s hard not to pick the Jets, who will apparently be going all out to take home this ballgame. With Michael Vick likely not seeing the field, the Eagles will simply be going through the motions and trying to avoid injuries. Who can blame them, with all the injuries we’ve already seen this year?
My pick: Jets 23, Eagles 13
Odds
The Eagles are favored by a field goal on the road with the over/under being set at 40, according to OddsShark.com.
Next Week
The Eagles begin the 2013 regular season against the Washington Redskins on Monday night at FedEx Field while the Jets host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
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