Seahawks head to Philadelphia looking for Wild Card win

The Seahawks will be looking for just their fourth road playoff victory in franchise history Sunday when they take on the Eagles in Philadelphia.

As winners of the NFC East, the 9-7 Eagles enter Sunday’s game having won four games in a row. The winning streak comes despite a number of injuries to key offensive players including Alshon Jeffrey, Brandon Brooks and DeSean Jackson, among others.

The 11-5 Seahawks enter Sunday as losers of two straight games after falling an inch short against the San Francisco 49ers with the NFC West on the line.

>> Related: Carroll believes NFL missed pass interference call vs 49ers

However, Seattle heads to Philadelphia having defeated the Eagles 17-9 on Nov. 24. In their win, Seattle forced a season-high five turnovers and sacked quarterback Carson Wentz three times.

“I just remember the turnovers,” Wentz said about the previous meeting with the Seahawks. "I think offensively, we did some decent things. We just gave them the ball. Those are the things that will get cleaned up.”

The Eagles finished the regular season ranked No. 10 in the NFL in total defense – led by defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.

“It starts with Fletcher Cox. He’s a fantastic football player, and he causes all the problems and disturbs everything. It starts right there,” head coach Pete Carroll said of Cox this week.

>> Related: Marshawn Lynch’s mom ‘really excited’ son is back with Seahawks

Safety Malcolm Jenkins also adds experience to the Eagles’ defense and led the team with 81 tackles this season. In the team’s previous matchup earlier this season, Jenkins had six tackles, two sacks and an interception.

“He’s a very savvy football player, and you have to make sure that you take care of that aspect of the game because he can hurt you,” Carroll said of Jenkins this week.

The Seahawks lead the all-time series against the Eagles 10-7. Sunday’s game begins at 1:40 p.m.

Here are Raible’s three keys to victory for the Seahawks on Sunday:

Key #1: Start Fast

This key has to do with how the Seahawks have been playing pretty much all season: A slow start and a wild finish -- leading to an 11 win season.

Last Sunday’s divisional championship showdown with the 49ers was a perfect example. The Seahawks had only 30 yards of offense into the second quarter and then had 300 yards the rest of the way.

The slow offense starts have made it extra tough for the Seahawks banged up defense the past few weeks

So how about switching things up in Philadelphia? Start fast, crank out some yards and scores and make the Eagles play from behind.

Key #2: Home(r) on the road

It would be nice to take the Seahawks’ home field advantage to Lincoln Financial Field -- except home field hasn’t been Seattle’s secret weapon this season.

Seattle finished just 4-4 at home but had a franchise best 7-1 record on the road. But Seattle can take home on the road -- or make that Travis Homer.

Only the most loyal fans knew who Homer was a few weeks ago. But after injuries to Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny, Homer was the last man standing in Seattle’s backfield.

But John Schneider and Pete Carroll knew the kid could play. Homer had nearly 100 yards running and receiving against the 49ers. He’s faster than he looks, more powerful than his size and is hungry to succeed.

Scouts said he’s “a fighter” and a describe him as “scrappy.” The Seahawks ran for more than 170 yards last time against the Eagles and they need Homer to “scrap” all the way through the playoffs.

Key #3: Blanket Time

It’s that time of year: Shorter days. Longer and cold colder nights. The time of year when an extra blanket is a good idea.

It’s also that time of year where the Seahawks need to step up their pass coverage: Blanket Time.

The Seahawks rank near the bottom of the league giving up 264 passing yards per game.

But remember, pass defense is equal parts coverage and rush.

Getting pressure on the quarterback has been a problem all season. When your leading sacker has just four sacks - that’s a problem.

But the coverage needs to be better. Guys need to stick to receivers and play like they’re all together ‘on a string’ to cut down on yards after the catch.

The last time these teams played, Seattle played one of its best defensive games.

They pounded Carson Wentz, forcing five turnovers including 2 interceptions.

Wentz’s receiving corps, including his favorite target TE Zach Ertz, has been decimated by injuries.

Now is the time to clamp down. Relentlessly rush the quarterback, pound his receivers and take the ball away.

It’s the key to playing next week in the divisional round of the playoffs.

© 2020 Cox Media Group