PSO Premium Review: Giants vs. Eagles on TNF

1.Wentz has become a more mobile version of Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston certainly had his ups during his stint with the Buccaneers as QB1, normally finishing with at least 300 PASS YDS per game and usually a couple PASS TD to go with them. His biggest flaw, however, was his uncanny ability to turn the ball over, and at costly times too. Carson Wentz has slowly morphed into a Jameis Winston-type gunslinger who is capable of putting up big numbers but can kill his team’s chances of winning with costly TOs. 

The Eagles’ O-line struggles may carry a major influence on this revelation and a lack of consistent weapons could have forced Wentz into a habit of feeling like he has to do everything on his own. After finishing with only seven INTs in each of the last three years, he already has a league-leading 10 this year, along with a NFL-most five fumbles. Just like Tampa Bay last year, Philly is witnessing their former top-2 pick morph into a walking turnover machine who plays at the highest of levels and lowest of levels in the same game. 

2. NFC East divisional rivalry matchups have huge implications

Of course, divisional matchups are always important to teams who want to win their respective division. Winning these games gives teams a huge advantage over their rivals, especially if there’s two or three of them fighting for a playoff spot. However, this year divisional games in the NFC East will be of incredible importance, more than usual, due to the fact that it’s currently Week 7 and its leader has a losing record (first time that’s ever happened). All four NFC East teams will most likely finish with mediocre to poor records at the end of the year, but one will make the playoffs no matter what, so it will really come down to not necessarily whose record is more outstanding, but who has the best record when it comes to those 12 division games.  

3. Doug Pederson is one of the most aggressive HCs ever

It won him and his team a Super Bowl, but it has also cost his team the game at certain times. Eagles HC Doug Pederson’s style of play-calling is one of the most, if not the most aggressive amongst NFL HCs. His team leads the NFL in 2 PT conversion attempts since being hired in 2016 and Philly goes for it on 4th down several times every game. While slightly unorthodox, this style of play-calling isn’t totally unheard of, but certainly not common. 

Making these gutsy calls on more occasions than usual can be good for his team in the sense that it gives them experience in these situations and boosts their confidence with taking risks, but it also has its drawbacks. Going for it on 4th down or going for 2-PT conversions after scoring a TD all the time can make the offense predictable to defenses as more attempts equal more game film to study. In order to remain successful in this facet of his game planning, Pederson has to be creative or else teams will figure out how to stop these attempts and make game-changing stuffs that set Philly’s offense back significantly.