Eagles have most difficult remaining schedule in NFL
Let's take a look at a few key stats related to the Philadelphia Eagles as they get set to host the Minnesota Vikings this week:
A tough road ahead
According to ESPN Stats & Information, the 3-2 Eagles have the most difficult remaining schedule in the entire NFL, with future opponents boasting a collective record of 41-22.
| Team | Win Pct | W-L |
|---|---|---|
| Eagles | .651 | 41-22 |
| Lions | .618 | 34-21 |
| Jaguars | .609 | 39-25 |
| Bears | .582 | 32-23 |
| ESPN Stats & Information | ||
Doug Pederson and company are entering what looks like their most daunting stretch of the season, beginning this weekend against the 5-0 Vikings. After that they are at the Dallas Cowboys (5-1) and New York York Giants (3-3), home against the Atlanta Falcons (4-2), at the Seattle Seahawks (4-1) and home to the Green Bay Packers (4-2).
That is some tough sledding.
The refs could be a problem Sunday
ESPN's Kevin Seifert has a good breakdown of the referee assignments for Week 7. He notes the crew that will be working Eagles-Vikings on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field has shown one particular tendency that could work against Carson Wentz and company.
Referee: John Hussey
Average penalties/game: 18.3 | NFL rank: No. 5
Scouting report: Hussey's crew has called 25 offensive holding penalties, second most in the league. On the other hand, it has called only 13 penalties for defensive holding, illegal contact and defensive pass interference -- fewer than all but one crew. That could be a good sign for the Vikings' secondary, which has its share of physical cover men. Cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes, Terence Newmanand Trae Waynes have been called for a combined 10 penalties this season in pass defense.
The Eagles are averaging 9.8 accepted penalties per game this season, most in the NFL according to ESPN Stats & Info. They have 27 penalties over their last two games alone.
Playoff odds take a hit
The Eagles currently have a 41.1 percent chance of making the postseason, according to Football Outsiders' DVOA Playoff Odds Report. That's down from 57.4 percent prior to the loss to the Washington Redskins last week.
To get their numbers, Football Outsiders plays the remaining season out 50,000 times. Those results put the Eagles mean wins at 8.8, their chances of winning the division at 17.2 percent, and their odds of claiming a wild-card slot at 23.9 percent.
Source: www.bing.com