The Eagles are limping into Week 15, but they’re heading back to the friendly confines of Lincoln Financial Field-and they’ve got a golden opportunity to get right. Standing across from them this Sunday?
A 2-11 Raiders team that’s been spiraling all season. On paper, this matchup looks like exactly what the Eagles need to stabilize the ship.
But if you're a Philly fan, you know better than to count any win before kickoff-especially with the ghosts of late-season collapses still fresh in the rearview mirror.
Last year’s December meltdown against the Cardinals still stings. That was supposed to be a gimme, too.
Instead, it turned into a gut punch that derailed momentum. So while the numbers favor the Eagles in just about every category, this one carries a little more weight than your typical “should-win” game.
Let’s break down where the Eagles hold the edge-and where they’ll need to stay sharp-heading into this weekend.
Offensive Breakdown: Eagles Hold the Cards
If you’re looking at the scoreboard, the Eagles are clearly the more productive group. They’re averaging 22.1 points per game to the Raiders’ 15.1-a full touchdown difference. That gap reflects what we’ve seen all year: the Eagles can move the ball and finish drives, while the Raiders have struggled to sustain anything consistently.
Philly also holds the edge in total yardage (309.4 to 257.2), rushing yards (110.5 to 72.7), and passing yards (198.9 to 184.5). None of those numbers are jaw-dropping, but they speak to a more balanced and capable offense-especially on the ground, where the Raiders have been stuck in the mud.
One area to watch? Third down efficiency.
The Eagles are converting just 34.2% of their third downs-slightly behind the Raiders’ 35.4%. That’s not ideal for Philly, especially considering how much this offense leans on sustaining long drives.
But where they make up for it is on fourth down, where they’re converting a league-best 64.7%. That’s vintage Nick Sirianni aggression, and it’s been a lifeline when the offense stalls early in a series.
Turnovers also tilt in the Eagles’ favor. They’ve only given the ball away 13 times this year, compared to 17 for the Raiders. In a game where momentum can swing on a single mistake, that ball security could be a major difference-maker.
Defensive Comparison: Not Perfect, But Advantage Philly
Defensively, the Eagles haven’t been dominant, but they’ve been better than Vegas where it counts. They’re allowing 20.8 points per game compared to the Raiders’ 25.5. That’s a five-point cushion, and in a matchup like this, that could be more than enough.
Yardage-wise, the Eagles are giving up 341.6 yards per game-slightly more than the Raiders’ 325.8-but that’s largely due to struggles against the run. Philly’s allowing 132.0 rushing yards per game, which has been a soft spot all season.
The Raiders, by comparison, are giving up 113.9. But considering how ineffective Vegas has been running the ball themselves, this might not be the week that bites the Eagles.
Where Philly’s defense really separates itself is on fourth down. Opponents are converting just 30.4% of fourth-down attempts against them-that’s a top-tier number.
The Raiders? They’re allowing conversions at a 61.1% clip.
That’s a huge swing in high-leverage moments.
The Eagles also have a slight edge in takeaways, 16 to 14. It’s not a massive gap, but it reinforces the idea that Philly’s defense, while not elite, has been opportunistic when it counts.
Raiders’ Offensive Leaders: Young Core, Growing Pains
It’s a different-looking Raiders offense than the last time these two teams met back in 2021. Kenny Pickett is now under center, and while the sample size is small, he’s been efficient-completing 71.4% of his passes for 105 yards and a touchdown without a pick.
It’s not flashy, but it’s clean. Still, it’s hard to say this version of Pickett is going to scare a defense, even one that’s had its share of breakdowns.
Ashton Jeanty leads the backfield with 665 yards on 191 carries, averaging just 3.5 yards per tote. He’s had a couple of explosive plays-like a 64-yard burst-but overall, the run game hasn’t been consistent enough to take pressure off the quarterback.
Brock Bowers is the name to watch in the receiving game. The rookie tight end has 619 yards and six touchdowns on 53 catches.
He’s averaging 11.7 yards per reception and brings a dynamic element to the passing attack that the Raiders desperately need. If the Eagles don’t account for him, he could be the one guy who changes the complexion of this game.
Series History: All Even, but a Lot Has Changed
The all-time series between these two franchises is dead even at 7-7. But the last time they met-Week 7 of the 2021 season-feels like a lifetime ago.
The Raiders won that one 33-22 in Vegas, back when Derek Carr was still under center and Josh Jacobs was just starting to find his groove. That team was fighting for a playoff spot under interim coach Rich Bisaccia, after Jon Gruden’s abrupt resignation.
For the Eagles, that game was part of the growing pains under a first-year Nick Sirianni. Jalen Hurts was still finding his footing, and the offense hadn’t yet leaned into its identity as a run-heavy, smashmouth unit.
Fans were practically begging from the stands for the team to establish the ground game. They didn’t that day-but they eventually did, and the rest is history.
Bottom Line
This is a game the Eagles should win-and win convincingly. They’re the better team across the board, and they’re coming off a stretch that’s exposed their flaws but also sharpened their urgency. But if they come in flat, if they take the Raiders lightly, they risk letting another winnable game slip through their fingers.
The numbers say Philly has the edge. Now it’s time to prove it on the field.