The Seahawks head to Philadelphia this weekend following their bye week and are looking to improve upon an 8-2 record that has them right in the playoff hunt. The Eagles, meanwhile, are trying to bounce back from a loss that dropped their record to 5-5, a disappointing start to the season for a team that was considered one of the top NFC contenders coming into the year.
If the Seahawks are going to improve upon their perfect road record on Sunday, these are three key matchups that could make the difference when they face the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field:
1. Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox vs. Seattle's interior offensive line.
The Seahawks for the most part did a good job of protecting Russell Wilson and of running the ball against one of the league's best defensive lines in a Week 10 win over the 49ers, but when the 49ers did get pressure on Wilson, it tended to come not off the edge, but from the interior pass rush. And on Sunday the Seahawks' interior line trio of D.J. Fluker, Mike Iupati and Joey Hunt will face another tough test in the form of All-Pro and Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.
Cox, a first-team All-Pro in 2018, got off to a slow start in 2019 after missing training camp and the preseason while recovering from foot surgery. Cox has been getting healthier as the season has gone along, and it's no coincidence that his improvement has coincided with the Eagles defense playing some of its best football over the past three games. Yes, the secondary getting healthy has also been a factor, but the presence of a healthier Cox along with the rest of a strong defensive line has made the Eagles again into one of the league's top defensive teams over the past three weeks.
Like Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, Cox is the kind of player who can wreck a play without recording a stat, creating chances for teammates to make plays while fighting through a double team, so his 2.5 sacks, 19 tackles and two forced fumbles only begin to tell the story of how he can impact a game. And of course Cox is just part of why the Eagles have become one of the NFL's better defensive teams of late, allowing a total of 44 points in their past three games.
"They have a lot of talent and a lot of veterans too, guys who really know what they're doing," Wilson said. "I think about Cox, I think about (Brandon) Graham, I think about (Malcolm) Jenkins—great player. I think about (Rodney) McLeod in the back end, I think about all the guys that they have with the versatility at corner. Their linebackers, even though they're young, they can really fly around and make some plays. We got to be ready to roll."
2. Philadelphia's running game vs. a stout Seahawks run defense.
The Seahawks rank a respectable 12th in the league in run defense, allowing 101.1 rushing yards per game, but lately they've been even better than that against the run. Since Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson helped lead the Ravens to 199 rushing yards against Seattle in Week 7, the Seahawks have held their last three rushing opponents under 100 yards, including limiting San Francisco's rushing attack, which ranked second in the league, to just 87 yards and a 3.2 yards-per-carry average.
"(Browns running back Nick) Chubb had some success, and Lamar had some success, but other than that I've been pretty pleased with the run defense," linebacker K.J. Wright said. "That definitely always starts up front.
"The Eagles, they have a lot of runs, a lot of runs that you don't see around the league, and they do it pretty well. So we've got to make sure our fits our correct and make sure we tackle really well. There's definitely going to be a lot of stuff you don't see too many other teams do."
It will be important for Seattle to continue playing strong defense, because the Eagles are a team that relies heavily on their running game. Injuries have been a factor at running back—starting running back Jordan Howard didn't play last week and is questionable for Sunday—but with one of the league's best offensive lines, Philadelphia will try to run the ball regardless of who is getting the carries. The Eagles are averaging 122.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks 11th in the league, but their ground game has been particularly good in wins, with the offense posting four of its top five rushing totals in victories, including totals of 218 and 146 yards in their two most recent wins. And with two of their top receivers, Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor, both questionable due to injuries, the Eagles could be looking to run the ball even more this week.
"You've got to get your run game going," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said on a conference call. "… It was tough to run the football (in last week's loss to New England), but it's something we have had success doing. We've got to try to get back to it."
3. Both teams' ball security vs. defenses looking to take the ball away.
A year after the Seahawks committed a league-low 11 turnovers on their way to leading the league in turnover differential, they've struggled in that department at times this season. Yes, Russell Wilson has been outstanding, not just in his production, but in how he takes care of the ball, throwing only two interceptions against a league-best 23 touchdowns, but the Seahawks have had something of a fumbling problem. After losing three fumbles in their win over the 49ers, the Seahawks have now lost 11 fumbles this season, matching their entire 2018 turnover total.
"I've got to do a better job," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "I have to do a better job of setting the thing in motion and how we emphasize it. It is the most emphasized aspect of our program but, it isn't good enough. We aren't doing it well enough. Our guys aren't buying in well… Hopefully this stretch will change this. We won't have a chance. We won't have a chance if this keeps going on. You can't win like that. We were so fortunate (against the 49ers). Think how fortunate we are to win that game, that tight of a game, and kick the ball all over the field. Terrible."
One reason the Seahawks were able to survive three lost fumbles was that they forced two of their own against the 49ers, including one that Jadeveon Clowney returned for a touchdown. Seattle's defense, which has 11 fumble recoveries this season, will try to take advantage of an Eagles offense that has also struggled with ball security, losing 10 fumbles, a total only exceeded by Seattle and the New York Giants (14).
The Seahawks and the Eagles will meet this Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field for the twelfth week of the 2019 season. Take a look back at photos from past games between the two teams.

Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg gets off a pass during loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1989. (AP Photo)

Herschel Walker (34) of the Philadelphia Eagles manages to avoid Tyrone Rodgers (91) and Jeff Bryant (77) of he Seattle Seahawks for a 12-yard gain during the fourth quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 14, 1992. Walker carried 23 times for 11 yards in the game as Philadelphia won 20-17 in overtime. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)

Quarterback Randell Cunningham (12) of the Philadelphia Eagles is unable to avoid the rush of Cortez Kennedy (99) of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 13, 1992. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Rodney Peete (9) changes the play at the line as he looks at the Seattle Seahawks defense in the third quarter of Sunday's, Dec. 3, 1995 game in Seattle. Seattle won the game 26-14. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Philadelphia Eagles' James Thrash catches a pass for a touchdown while Seattle Seahawks' Ken Lucas chases during the second quarter in Seattle Sunday, Sept. 23, 2001. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) runs for a first down as Philadelphia Eagles' Shawn Barber gives chase in the first quarter Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Seattle Seahawks' Jerramy Stevens catches an 11-yard pass in the endzone for a touchdown with Philadelphia Eagles' Brian Dawkins defending with 49 seconds left in the game in Seattle Sunday Sunday Dec. 8, 2002. The Eagles won 27-20. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tim Hasselbeck meets with with his brother Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck after the Eagles 27-20 win in Seattle Sunday Dec. 8, 2002. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Seahawks D.J. Hackett (18) pulls down the pass in the endzone from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in the closing minutes of the first half as the Eagles's Michael Lewis,left, and Sheldon Brown, center, defend Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

Seattle Seahawks' linebacker Lofa Tatupu (51) heads for the endzone with an intercepted pass from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mike McMahon in the second quarter of NFL action Monday night Dec. 5, 2005 in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mike McMahon (4) is brought down after a short gain by Seattle Seahawks Marquand Manuel (33) in NFL action Monday night Dec. 5, 2005 in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)

Seattle Seahawks' Nate Burleson skips to the goal line with a pass from Matt Hasselbeck for a touchdown in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Philadelphia. Seattle won 28-24. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson (59) meets Philadelphia Eagles' Brian Westbrook at the top of the pile to keep him from scoring from the 1-yard-line during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)

Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander barrels through the Eagles defensive line during a game on December 2, 2007. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 28-24.

Linebacker Stewart Bradley #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes the quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on November 2, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Eagles defeated the Seahawks 26-7. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)

DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles is hit by Leroy Hill #56 of the Seattle Seahawks as he returns a punt at Qwest Field on November 2, 2008 in Seattle, Washington. The Eagles defeated the Seahawks 26-7. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)

Seattle Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne takes off down the field after intercepting an Eagles pass attempt during a game on December 1, 2011. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 31-14.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate attempts to pull down a touchdown reception over an Eagles defender during a game on December 1, 2011. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 31-14.

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) rushes for a gain as Philadelphia Eagles nose tackle Bennie Logan (96) defends during an NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, December 7, 2014 in Philadelphia. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 24-14. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner signals Seattle's recovery of an Eagles fumble during a game on December 7, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 24-14.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson attempts to avoid an Eagles defender while looking to make a pass down field during a game on December 7, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 24-14.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril sacks Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz jarring the ball loose during a game on November 20, 2016. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 26-15.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson dives into the end zone after making a reception during a game on November 20, 2016. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 26-15.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner takes down Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz for a sack during a game on November 20, 2016. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 26-15.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver takes in the 12s at CenturyLink Field after scoring a touchdown during a game on December 3, 2017. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 24-10.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin forces a pass break up during a game on December 3, 2017. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 24-10.

Seattle Seahawks running back Mike Davis leaps over the Eagles defense during a game on December 3, 2017. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 24-10.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) celebrates after leading his team to a touchdown during a week 13 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 in Seattle. Seattle won 24-10. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)