The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles currently sit on the outside of the playoff bubble with their fate in the hands the erratic Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
An offseason chock-full of bragging and head coach Doug Pederson's book sales, the Eagles are on the verge of becoming the 17th Super Bowl champion to miss the playoffs the following season.
Starting the year with Super Bowl 52 MVP Nick Foles, the Eagles came out the gate stumbling. Narrowly beating the Atlanta Falcons in the season opener and losing to Fitz-magic in Tampa Bay, desperation kicked in for Philadelphia two weeks into the season.
Deciding a week three bout versus the Indianapolis Colts was the perfect time for franchise quarterback Carson Wentz, who was recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, to return reignited the hope that burns bright in every Eagles fan.
Over the next 11 weeks, Wentz looked like a shell of his former MVP candidate self leading the Eagles to a 6-7 record. Even with the subpar record, Wentz and the Eagles had a chance for a second straight division title but an overtime loss, which saw Wentz suffer a back fracture, allowed Foles to step back into the huddle.
Since reentering as a starter, Foles has led the Eagles to two consecutive victories-both against division-leading double-digit win teams. Down to their final chance, the Eagles face a must-win situation on Sunday if Philadelphia wants to unseat the Vikings for the final Wild Card spot.
One week left and the entire 2018 season resting on Foles shoulders, Wentz has thrown his name back into the mix.
According to Jon Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Wentz "got another opinion on his back with a specialist while the Eagles were in Los Angeles" and "really wants to play through" his injury. However, the doctor agreed that "rest is best right now" for the quarterback's recovery.
Wentz wants to play as he has everything to lose. His knee gave out at the end of the 2018 season and Foles picked up the mantle and led the Eagles to immortality. Wentz led the Eagles to a subpar season, albeit having an injury-riddled roster. Wentz' legacy thus far is one of an injury prone could have been MVP quarterback who folds when his team needs him most.
Do not be mistaken, Wentz is the future of the Eagles but Foles is the right now.
The Eagles, with Wentz, average 22 points a game this season. The four games Foles has played, the Eagles average 25 points. Two of the games Wentz lost were by three points or less. If Foles was under center, the Eagles could have avoided possibly missing the playoffs.
The Eagles and Nick Foles are the perfect fit as seen last season. Philadelphia drafted Foles, and he has had his most success in an Eagles uniform. Foles was on the brink of retirement until the Eagles came calling. Nick Foles needed the Eagles, and now the Eagles need him to save their season once again.
In the playoffs last season Foles put on an all-time performance completing 73 percent of his passes and totaling a 115.7 quarterback rating. The last two weeks Foles' stats have been eerily comparable to last years playoff run. Week 15 and 16 have seen Foles complete 74.4 percent of his passes and average a 105 passer rating-both superseding Wentz' 2018 totals.
The Eagles season is on the line this Sunday against the Washington Redskins. Head Coach Doug Pederson has already announced Foles as the starter, choosing to stay with the hot hand. Carson Wentz is unquestionably the Eagles future franchise quarterback but there is a reason Foles is starting this week and it has little to do with Wentz' injury.
Foles has simply been better and more reliable when Philadelphia needs him most. Down to the wire and in the final game, Nick Foles is the right choice for Philadelphia even if Wentz' back has fully recovered.
*preview photo credited to Sportingnews.com
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