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Eagles-Jets scouting report

The problems with the Eagles' offense begin with the offensive line, and the bad news is the Jets have a better defensive front than what the Eagles saw in the first two weeks.

Eagles offensive lineman Jason Kelce. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
Eagles offensive lineman Jason Kelce. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more

When the Eagles have the ball

The problems with the Eagles' offense begin with the offensive line, and the bad news is the Jets have a better defensive front than what the Eagles saw in the first two weeks, even with Sheldon Richardson suspended. Temple alum Muhammad Wilkerson is one of the NFL's best young linemen and presents a major threat. First-round pick Leonard Williams will also create problems, and nose tackle Damon Harrison is a 350-pound presence in the middle of the Jets line. That will be a challenge for the interior of the Eagles offensive line, and they need center Jason Kelce to have a better game than he played last week.

Unless the Eagles get better push on the offensive line, it doesn't matter who is running the ball. Running back DeMarco Murray had a hamstring injury earlier in the week, so his status will be noteworthy. He has struggled to find space during the first two weeks. Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles will also be involved in the running game.

The Jets like to blitz under head coach Todd Bowles, and they can do it because they have strong man-to-man cornerbacks. Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie might be the best cornerback combination in the NFL, and Buster Skrine is solid in the slot. Revis plays on both sides of the field, although he was limited in practice last week with a groin injury.

It will be a challenge for outside receivers Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff, and Riley Cooper against the Jets' cornerbacks, but the Eagles like their matchups on the inside. Jordan Matthews, Zach Ertz, and Darren Sproles can create problems in the middle of the field, and that could be where Sam Bradford looks in the passing game.

The turnover battle will be critical. The Jets have forced 10 turnovers in two games, which is the most in the league. Revis has been involved in four of them. The Eagles have five giveaways, all charged to Bradford. Turnovers were a problem last season, and the Jets are the type of team that can feast on sloppiness. If the Eagles offense is to improve this week, it must block better and take better care of the ball.

When the Jets have the ball

Lost in last week's offensive disaster was that the Eagles defense played well for most of the game against the Dallas. However, a repeat performance will be more difficult, considering the Eagles will be missing some key pieces. Linebackers Kiko Alonso (knee) and Mychal Kendricks (hamstring) will both be sidelined, so third-round pick Jordan Hicks will take on a big role at inside linebacker along with DeMeco Ryans. Defensive end Cedric Thornton will miss the game with a broken bone in his hand, and backup Taylor Hart also will be out because of a shoulder injury. Look for Brandon Bair to play on Sunday and Vinny Curry to get more work at defensive end.

But the Eagles cannot use injuries as an excuse, because the Jets have injured players on offense. Lead running back Chris Ivory missed time during the week with a quadriceps injury, and wide receivers Eric Decker and Chris Owusu both have knee injuries. If Ivory is out, the Jets would turn to Bilal Powell to pace a rushing offense that has averaged 127.5 yards per game. Ivory is ninth in the NFL in rushing yards this season.

The Jets are getting solid work from veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has experience in offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's system. Fitzpatrick is completing 63.8 percent of his passes. His top target is Brandon Marshall, who has 13 receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Cornerback Byron Maxwell, who was inconsistent during the first two weeks, could see a lot of time against Maxwell. If Decker and Owusu are down, the Jets could activate second-round pick Devin Smith for the first time on Sunday. Smith is a downfield threat.

The Jets offensive line has allowed only one sack this season. It's a veteran group whose biggest names are left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and center Nick Mangold. The Eagles have four sacks this season.

The big numbers

9-0: The Eagles record all-time against the Jets. The last time they played was 2011, when the Eagles won, 45-19, at Lincoln Financial Field. The two teams have not played a regular-season game at MetLife Stadium until today. The first Eagles-Jets meeting came Dec. 9, 1973. Sunday will be the first time Chip Kelly coaches against the Jets in the regular season.

The bottom line

Zach Berman: Eagles 24, Jets 20.

Jeff McLane: Jets 23, Eagles 17.