Eagles vs. Raiders in Week 15: A Clash of Super Bowl QBs, Sort Of
Week 15 brings an intriguing matchup to Lincoln Financial Field - not just because it features two teams heading in opposite directions, but because it technically pits two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks against each other. Yes, technically.
Jalen Hurts, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, is back under center for the Eagles, looking to right the ship after a rough stretch. On the other side?
Kenny Pickett - who, while he did earn a ring with Philadelphia last season, played just one snap (an incomplete pass) and took a few knees in garbage time. But hey, jewelry is jewelry.
Now Pickett returns to Philly as the Raiders’ starter, thanks to a shoulder injury to Geno Smith. He’s got some insider knowledge of the Eagles’ defense after spending a season practicing against it, but that familiarity may not be enough to overcome the current state of both teams.
Eagles Looking to Reassert Dominance
Philadelphia is reeling from three straight losses, and while the NFC East crown is still within reach, the margin for error is shrinking fast. A win over a struggling Raiders team wouldn’t just stop the bleeding - it would send a message that the Eagles are still a force to be reckoned with in the NFC.
Jalen Hurts is coming off one of the worst games of his career - five total turnovers, including four picks and a fumble. But the Eagles took some big swings in that game against the Chargers, and while not all of them landed, there were signs of life.
More middle-of-the-field throws to A.J. Brown, a creative fake Tush Push, and a heavy dose of Dallas Goedert showed that Philly isn’t afraid to evolve offensively.
The key now is balance. The Eagles have to find a way to marry their run-heavy identity with some of the new wrinkles they’ve been experimenting with. Against a Raiders defense that ranks in the bottom third of the league in points allowed, this is the perfect opportunity to recalibrate.
Raiders Facing Reality in Year One of the Carroll Era
For Las Vegas, this season has been more about laying a foundation than stacking wins. Pete Carroll’s first year at the helm hasn’t produced much in the win column, and the offense - especially the run game - has been a major culprit.
The plan was to lean on rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and build a ground-and-pound identity reminiscent of Carroll’s Seattle days. But the results have been rough. The Raiders are dead last in rushing yards and touchdowns, and they’re near the bottom in attempts too, despite Jeanty being available.
That’s a tough formula when you’re starting a quarterback like Pickett, who’s still trying to find his rhythm in a new offense. If the Raiders fall behind early - a real possibility against an Eagles team desperate to prove a point - Pickett could be forced to throw more than Carroll would like.
And that’s where things could get dicey.
Fangio’s Defense Starting to Heat Up
The Eagles defense, under Vic Fangio, has had its own ups and downs this season. But Week 14 showed what this unit can be when it’s humming. Seven sacks against the Chargers, with Jalyx Hunt (2.5), Jordan Davis (1.5), and Byron Young (1.5) leading the charge, gave a glimpse of the pass-rushing potential when the front seven is unleashed.
If Fangio dials up the pressure again - especially with creative blitzes from linebackers like Nakobe Dean or Zach Baun - Pickett could be in for a long day. His mobility is better than advertised, but he’s no Justin Herbert, and the Raiders' offensive line isn’t exactly elite.
The Eagles secondary held up well last week against a Chargers team missing a true WR1. If they can do the same against a Raiders receiving corps that lacks top-end firepower, it’ll free up the front to go hunting again.
Matchup to Watch: Eagles Offense vs. Raiders Defense
The Raiders defense isn’t without talent. Maxx Crosby remains a disruptive force off the edge, and Jeremy Chinn, Charles Snowden, and Eric Stokes have all had their moments. But the middle of this defense is vulnerable, and there are questions at CB2 and safety that the Eagles can exploit.
If Hurts can clean up the turnovers and the offense finds rhythm - especially with Goedert working the seams and Brown testing the corners - Philly should be able to move the ball. The Raiders rank 24th in points allowed, 17th in passing yards allowed, and 16th in rushing yards allowed. This isn’t a shutdown unit.
But if the Eagles come out flat or try to do too much too early, they could find themselves in another stop-and-start offensive performance. This game is less about flash and more about execution - building a version of the offense that can carry them through the final stretch and into January.
The Stakes
At 8-5, the Eagles are still in the thick of the NFC playoff race. A win here doesn’t just pad the record - it’s a tone-setter for the final three games, including a tough matchup with the Bills in Week 17. It’s also a chance to reestablish their identity after a rough three-week stretch.
For the Raiders, this is about evaluation. With just two wins, they’re in the mix for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they’re not alone.
The Giants are also in that conversation, and strength of schedule could come into play. Every game matters - even if not for the reasons fans might have hoped back in September.
Final Word
This might not be the flashiest matchup on the Week 15 slate, but it’s one that could tell us a lot about where these two franchises are headed. For the Eagles, it’s about proving they’re still contenders. For the Raiders, it’s about finding out who fits into the long-term plan.
And for Kenny Pickett? It’s a chance to show he can do more than take a knee on a championship team - even if the odds are stacked against him.