As the Eagles gear up for a high-stakes showdown, there are several matchups that could swing the outcome - and each one tells a deeper story about where these teams stand heading into the final stretch of the season. Let’s break down the key battles to watch, from the trenches to the perimeter, and why they matter as the playoff picture comes into focus.
Eagles Run Defense vs. James Cook
The Eagles' run defense has been a bit of a rollercoaster this season. After getting gashed for 281 rushing yards by the Bears on Black Friday, they’ve started to tighten things up.
Sure, they gave up 169 to the Chargers, but that number’s inflated by Justin Herbert’s scrambling. Since then, they’ve shown real improvement - holding the Raiders to just 46 rushing yards and limiting the Commanders to 90.
That said, they’re still ranked 21st in run defense league-wide, which speaks to some lingering inconsistency. Injuries haven’t helped - Nakobe Dean has been a key run-stopper, but he left the Commanders game with a hamstring issue.
The good news? Jordan Davis stepped up in a big way in Washington, anchoring the middle and showing the kind of dominance the Eagles need against a high-powered ground attack.
And make no mistake - James Cook is that high-powered ground attack. He’s leading the NFL in rushing with 1,532 yards, has punched in 12 touchdowns, and is averaging a blistering 5.3 yards per carry.
He’s not just racking up yards - he’s earning them. In Week 16 against the Browns, Cook went off for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 16 carries, with 87 of those yards coming after contact.
That’s not just good running - that’s elite production.
Cook leads all qualified backs with 3.6 yards after contact per attempt and is second in the league in explosive runs (10+ yards) with 36 - trailing only De’Von Achane. If the Eagles can’t wrap him up early, he’ll make them pay late.
Vic Fangio vs. Josh Allen
The Eagles’ defense has handled business the last two weeks, facing Kenny Pickett and then a Mariota-Josh Johnson combo. But this week?
Whole different animal. Josh Allen is coming to town, and he’s still playing like the MVP he was last year.
Let’s look at the numbers:
- 2024 (17 games): 63.6%, 3,731 yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs, 101.4 rating
- 2025 (15 games): 69.6%, 3,406 yards, 25 TDs, 10 INTs, 103.3 rating
Allen’s passing has actually been more efficient this season, and he’s still a nightmare to deal with on the ground. He’s already matched his rushing output from last year - 552 yards and 12 touchdowns - and still has two games to go.
What makes Allen so difficult to defend? Vic Fangio summed it up best: “Just his size, his speed, his instincts, when it becomes a scramble game, what he can accomplish.
He's hard to tackle. He's so big and elusive.
He's a real dude.”
And that mobility matters. The Eagles have struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks this year, giving up 328 rushing yards to QBs - sixth-most in the league.
Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes each ran for 66 yards against them, and Jaxson Dart added 58. They kept Mariota in check last week, but Allen is a whole different challenge - a true dual-threat who can beat you with his arm or extend plays with his legs.
Eagles Defensive Line vs. Bills Offensive Line
If the Eagles want to slow down Allen, it starts up front. The Bills have only allowed 35 sacks this season - middle of the pack - and Allen’s been pressured on just under 30% of his dropbacks. That’s 24th in the league, which tells you how solid this offensive line has been.
But the Eagles are getting a big boost this week with the return of Jalen Carter, who’s missed the last three games. Even without him, the defensive line has held strong.
Inside, they’ve gotten meaningful snaps from Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis, Byron Young, and even Brandon Graham. On the edge, Nolan Smith, Jaelan Phillips, and Jalyx Hunt have formed a surprisingly effective rotation.
This is a group that’s starting to click at the right time. But getting pressure on Allen is only half the battle - you’ve got to finish the play. If you don’t bring him down, he’ll extend drives and break your back with a big play.
Saquon Barkley vs. Bills Run Defense
If there’s one area where the Bills are vulnerable, it’s against the run - and it’s not subtle. They rank 30th in rushing yards allowed per game (144.3), 31st in yards per carry (5.4), and 31st in EPA per rush (+0.08). That’s not just bad - that’s bottom-of-the-barrel.
And it gets worse. According to NextGen Stats, the Bills are dead last in yards after contact allowed - giving up 4.10 yards per attempt.
That’s more than some teams allow total. For context, eight teams are allowing fewer yards per rush than the Bills are giving up after contact.
That sets the stage for Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby to go to work. The Eagles ran for over 200 yards in Week 16 - just the second time they’ve hit that mark all season - and they did it by running angry. If Barkley brings that same energy, there’s a real opportunity to control the tempo and wear down a defense that’s been leaking yardage all year.
Jalen Hurts vs. Bills Pass Defense
The flip side? The Bills’ pass defense is elite - second-best in the league, giving up just 167.1 yards per game. They’ve been shutting down top receivers week after week:
- Week 13: DK Metcalf - 3 catches, 32 yards
- Week 14: Ja’Marr Chase - 5 catches, 44 yards
- Week 15: Stefon Diggs - 3 catches, 26 yards
- Week 16: Jerry Jeudy - 3 catches, 12 yards
That’s not a fluke - that’s a trend. And it means Jalen Hurts will need to be sharp.
The Eagles’ passing attack hasn’t lit up the stat sheet lately, but it’s been cleaner and more efficient. A.J.
Brown and DeVonta Smith are both creeping toward 1,000-yard seasons - Brown sits at 935, Smith at 931 - and they’ve been heating up at just the right time.
This is a matchup where Hurts’ decision-making and ability to extend plays will be critical. The Bills don’t give up much through the air, so every completion will have to be earned.
Fred Johnson vs. Greg Rousseau
With Lane Johnson sidelined by a Lisfranc sprain, Fred Johnson has stepped in - and he’s held his own. Over the last five games, Johnson has allowed just one sack and seven pressures, per PFF. That’s solid work for a backup, especially given the caliber of edge rushers he’s faced.
This week, he’ll see plenty of Greg Rousseau, who leads the Bills with 6.5 sacks and 48 pressures. Rousseau typically lines up on the left side, putting him directly across from Johnson. It’s a matchup that could tilt the game - if Rousseau starts winning consistently, it could disrupt the Eagles’ rhythm.
On the other side, Jordan Mailata will have his hands full with Joey Bosa, who brings his own brand of chaos off the edge.
Bottom Line: This game is loaded with high-level matchups - strength vs. strength, weakness vs. weakness. It’s a litmus test for both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning. The Eagles are trending up, but they’ll need to bring their best across the board to slow down a Bills team that’s still very much in the hunt - and still very dangerous.