Buffalo Bills vs. Philadelphia Eagles Preview: First Edition of Josh Allen vs. Jalen Hurts
The Buffalo Bills are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive as they travel to face the Philadelphia Eagles, who boast the best record in the NFL, at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. This matchup is highlighted by the first meeting between quarterbacks Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts, who rank No. 1 and 2 in rushing touchdowns since 2020.
Both teams are coming off momentous victories: the Bills beat the Jets 32-6 and the Eagles won at Kansas City 21-17.
The Bills defense will look to get after Hurts, who is on a streak of 13 consecutive victories against teams with winning records. Although Hurts wasn't statistically stellar in the Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs on Monday night, his clutch play and two rushing touchdowns led the Eagles to the comeback victory.
Slowing down A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will be a great challenge for the Bills defense. Brown is tied for the second-most receiving yards in the league with 1,013 and six touchdowns while Smith has 632 receiving yards and four scores.
Josh Allen (left) and Jalen Hurts
USA TODAY
Can the Bills offense continue to find its stride? In the first game under new offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Allen finished with 275 yards and three touchdowns, including an 81-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir that is the longest scoring play from scrimmage in the NFL this season.
Currently looking to stamp its place in the AFC playoff picture, Buffalo is on the outside looking in sitting at No. 8.
The Bills are chasing the first-place Miami Dolphins in the AFC East. With six games remaining, every win gets them closer to qualifying for the postseason. The Bills have one of the toughest remaining schedules, facing the Eagles, Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys as their next three opponents.
FUN FACT: Bills coach Sean McDermott is heading back to Philadelphia for the first time since becoming a head coach. Philly is where his coaching career started in 1999 and he attended high school about 30 minutes from Lincoln Financial Field.
RECORDS: Buffalo Bills (6-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-1)
ODDS: Buffalo is a 3.5-point underdog vs. the Eagles
GAME TIME: Sunday, Nov. 26th, 2023 at 4:25 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia, Penn.
TV/RADIO: CBS, WGR 550
THE FINAL WORD: Assistant head coach Eric Washington on the matchup vs. Philly:
“Execution is gonna be huge and we’re gonna have to be just as opportunistic in that environment as we were [Sunday],” Washington said. “Those things give you a chance. I know they’re going to be stingy, they take care of the ball extremely well, and we’re gonna have to go and force some opportunities for themselves”
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