Eagles-Jaguars NFL Week 8 predictions for London game

Share

The Eagles (3-4) are across the pond to take on the Jaguars (3-4) at Wembley Stadium in London. 

Once thought to be a possible Super Bowl preview, this is now a matchup between two teams desperate for a win. 

To the predictions: 

Reuben Frank (4-3) 
It’s sad that I had to even think about who to pick Sunday considering the Eagles are facing a team that’s lost its last three games by an average of 20 points, has scored four touchdowns in its last three games and just benched its quarterback. But that tells you where the Eagles are. Like the Jaguars they’re 3-4, like the Jaguars they’ve won just one of their last four games, and like the Jaguars, they’re capable of losing to anybody right now. 

Unlike the Jaguars, I still think there’s a good team lurking somewhere in the Eagles’ locker room, although we haven’t seen it yet. With each passing week, it seems more and more like the Eagles are a bad team and not just a good team that’s playing poorly. There’s still some hope the Eagles can turn this thing around, but it has to start Sunday and it has to start with the Jaguars. I’m not sure how they’ll do it, but I just can’t imagine they can lose to Jacksonville. They’re not that bad. Are they? So I’ll go with the Eagles finding their way to the bye week 4-4.

Eagles 23, Jaguars 17 

Dave Zangaro (1-6)
I’ve gone back and forth on this one. I think this is a tough trip for the Eagles. Flying across the ocean and changing the routine so much is hard, but the routine here hasn’t been working well either. And I keep thinking about last year’s trip to California. After getting their butts kicked in Seattle, they spent the week in Orange County and got a big win over the Rams at the LA Coliseum. I think we can draw some parallels to that experience. 

And as big of a mess as the Eagles have been, the Jaguars are in even worse shape. They’ve lost three in a row and have been outscored by an average of 20 points per game. Did we mention Blake Bortles is still their quarterback? Sorry to give them the kiss of death. 

Eagles 24, Jaguars 20

Derrick Gunn (2-5) 
This was supposed to be a matchup of Super Bowl contending powers, but it has turned out to be a battle of two squads struggling to stay afloat.

Jacksonville has been outscored 90-28 during its current three-game losing streak. Quarterback Bortles was benched in his last outing, but has been given a vote of confidence and will be under center against the Birds. The Jags’ lethargic run game, hampered by Leonard Fournette’s hamstring issues, could get a boost with the addition of Carlos Hyde, whom they got in a trade with Cleveland.

The Eagles’ lethargic pass rush took another severe hit when we found out that Derek Barnett is out for the season after having shoulder surgery. Meanwhile, the Birds' high-powered offense has had a power outage this season. They have scored more than 23 points in a game only once this season.

One of these teams will get a temporary reprieve after this game with hopes that it will help them turn the corner. The one big difference for me is I’ll take Carson Wentz any day of the week over Bortles, so I’m slightly confident the Birds find a way to pull this one out. 

Eagles 23, Jaguars 17

Ray Didinger (3-4) 
How important is the turnover ratio in pro football? Look no further than the Eagles and Jaguars. Last year, they were in the NFL's final four. This year, they are limping along with matching 3-4 records. Many factors enter into it, but I think the turnover ratio is the biggest. 

Last season, both teams were near the top in that critical category. The Eagles were plus-11, the Jags were a plus-10. This year, it is a total flip. The Eagles are a minus-four (10 turnovers to six takeaways). The Jags are even worse with a minus-12 (17 turnovers to five takeaways). Both teams need to rectify that if they hope to turn their seasons around.

I don't want to overthink this. The Eagles have Wentz at quarterback, the Jaguars have Bortles. I'll take Wentz.

Eagles 24, Jaguars 17

Andrew Kulp (3-4) 
How the heck should I know? Expert predictions, my a… Oops. What I meant to say was the Jaguars have been outscored 90-28 in their last three games, while the Eagles, for all their inconsistencies, are probably two plays away from being 5-2 rather than 3-4.

Then again, the Eagles are also two different plays from being 1-6 instead of 3-4, so I guess I really don't know what to think at this point. Something tells me this might be just what the doctor ordered for the Jaguars — a game on their home away from home in London, vs. an opponent with a million injuries and who simply hasn't looked right all season.

At this point, your guess is as good as mine.

Eagles 20, Jaguars 19 

Corey Seidman (2-5) 
Bortles is atrocious and might not even finish this game. Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook are capable of a nice grab here and there, but the Jaguars' group of skill players is not special.

The Eagles are also allowing an NFL-best 55.3 rushing yards per game. Perhaps T.J. Yeldon hurts them in the passing game but the Birds should be able to stifle Yeldon and Hyde on the ground.

The 2018 Eagles aren't as good as last year's team, but the Jaguars' drop-off from last season to this season might be even larger. This Jacksonville team can be beaten on the ground.

It just might take more creativity than usual for the Eagles. The Jags have been the best team in the NFL against opposing wide receivers and tight ends. The player they struggled most with this season was Cole Beasley, whose shiftiness resulted in nine catches, 101 yards and two TDs. Could mean Nelson Agholor finally breaks out.

Eagles 23, Jaguars 16

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.

More on the Eagles

Contact Us