Eagles dominance could decline with massive injuries

Injuries are coming at the worst time for the Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles fans remain pessimistic about their team, but sitting atop the NFL at 6-1 with Carson Wentz leading the NFL in passing touchdowns is hard to ignore. The entire team has exceeded expectations and looks like a lock for the playoffs after week seven.

One of the biggest keys to Philadelphia this season has been health. Only Ronald Darby had suffered a severe, multi-week injury that forced the team to adjust their game plans going forward.

Despite the victory on paper Monday night, Philadelphia suffered two major losses, each coming on opposite sides of the football.

Future Hall of Fame left tackle Jason Peters appeared to have suffered a major knee injury, and at the age of 35 with multiple achillies injuries already it could be the end for Peters. Early reports are that Peters avoided an ACL injury, but his MCL is likely damaged.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai, a second-year lineman out of TCU, stepped in for Peters and performed average at best. He worked against Ryan Kerrigan but Philadelphia was clearly running the ball away from the left side and using more screens.

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If Peters is out indefinitely the Eagles could look at moving Lane Johnson to left tackle, although Doug Pederson may not want even more changes on an already questionable line. Left guard has also been an issue with Isaac Seumalo not stepping up in his second year and veterans Chance Warmack and Stefen Wisniewski underperforming.

On defense, the big blow comes with the loss of middle linebacker Jordan Hicks, one of the most underrated young linebackers in the NFL. Hicks suffered a torn achillies on the first drive of the game and was quickly ruled out after being carried to the sideline.

Without Hicks in the game, Washington attacked backups Najee Goode and Joe Walker. Neither are anywhere near Hicks’ level of talent, and the Eagles will need to address the position before next week’s game against San Francisco.

Philadelphia has done everything needed to have the best record in the NFL, and should be the favorite in the NFC. At the same time, injuries can derail a team faster than anything else.

Luckily Philadelphia has two home games against underachieving west coast teams (San Francisco and Denver) before going into their bye week. Teams can win in the NFL on any given Sunday, but Philadelphia will certainly be favored in both matchups.

They still have both their games against Dallas on the docket as well as a long west coast road trip to the Rams and Seahawks.

Next: 2018 Mock Draft: Saquon Barkley soars to the top

Wentz is the big piece on this team in what looks like an MVP season but he can’t do it alone. Philadelphia needs the next man to step up, but they also must find the diamonds in the rough on practice squads and in free agency.

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