The Jaguars head into Week 5 in a spot that suddenly looks a lot more favorable than the matchup might have suggested a few weeks ago. Jacksonville is 3-1 and heading overseas to London to face the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that, according to ESPN’s Seth Walder, could be in real trouble.
Walder’s prediction is a big one: the Jaguars win by two touchdowns.
"The Jaguars will win by two touchdowns," Walder predicts. "Philadelphia is 2-2 and ranks 27th in EPA per play on offense and 25th on defense. That is rough."
That kind of call would usually feel like a reach, but there are real reasons it doesn’t sound outlandish here. The Eagles have not looked like the powerhouse version of themselves, and their numbers reflect it. Their offense has struggled, their defense has underperformed, and heading into Week 5 they look like one of the bottom 10 teams in the league.
That opens the door for Jacksonville to lean on what it does best. Trevor Lawrence, Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Bhayshul Tuten should have chances to attack a shaky Eagles defense throughout the game. Even if Philadelphia gets some help back, including Quinyon Mitchell and Zack Baun, the unit has not played like a group that can shut down an opponent for four quarters.
The bigger problem for Philadelphia may be on the other side of the ball. Jacksonville’s defense has been one of the best in the NFL this season, and it now gets a wounded Eagles offense that looks even thinner than before.
Lane Johnson, a future Hall of Fame right tackle, retired this week. The Eagles also traded Pro Bowl interior offensive lineman Cam Jurgens, and their backup center is banged up and might not play.
And the list of missing pieces doesn’t stop there. DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley are both not likely to play in London, leaving Jalen Hurts without key weapons and without multiple starting offensive linemen in front of him.
Put all of that together, and Walder’s two-touchdown forecast starts to look less like a wild swing and more like a realistic read on the matchup. The Jaguars have the edge, the Eagles are dealing with a pile of issues, and a blowout would not be a shock if Jacksonville handles business the way it should.
In Other News...
Eagles Injury Report Just Put Jalen Hurts In A Tough Spot
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The bigger concern may be up front, where the offensive line is not exactly settling in. Drew Kendall missed practice again, and with the Eagles already sorting through options, the possibility grows that less experienced hands could be pushed into the mix. For Jalen Hurts, that is the kind of development that changes everything about a game plan, especially when the margin for error gets thinner in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Hurts Just Sent A Clear Message On Eagles Play Caller
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Sean Mannion has held firm in his confidence in the scheme, and Hurts comments offered a clear sign that the quarterback is not interested in a public split. For a team that has not found its rhythm, the message matters almost as much as the next game plan, because the Eagles need the offense to stabilize quickly before the frustration around it grows any louder. [Read more 🡒]
Howie Rosemans Next Eagles Trade Talk Could Hit Bigger Names
The Eagles latest move sent Cam Jurgens out in a deal that brought back a 2028 second-round pick, a reminder that Howie Roseman is never far from the phone when theres a chance to reshape the roster. It also reopened a familiar conversation around which veterans and younger contributors could become part of the next wave of trade discussion, especially with Philadelphia always balancing immediate contention against future value.
Landon Dickerson, Dallas Goedert, Moro Ojomo, Nolan Smith Jr. and Saquon Barkley all surfaced in that kind of speculation, each for different reasons tied to performance, health or contract status. None of it amounts to a confirmed follow-up move, but the Eagles have made clear they are willing to consider bigger names if the return matches the price, which makes the next step in Rosemans thinking the part worth watching. [Read more 🡒]