The Jacksonville Jaguars are returning to London, their second home, to host the Philadelphia Eagles in the first game of Sunday's NFL slate. Jacksonville (3-1) just registered statement wins over the Patriots and Bengals. The steady play of quarterback Trevor Lawrence leads the way, supplemented by a defense that has allowed the second-fewest points in the NFL so far.
Philadelphia (2-2) experienced a tumultuous week that included a second-straight loss, the sudden retirement of perennial Pro Bowl lineman Lane Johnson and the trade of fellow Pro Bowl lineman Cam Jurgens. The trade of Jurgens raised questions about the Eagles' motives during the season's final 13 games. Philadelphia's offensive line will look vastly different.
Rookie Markel Bell will replace Johnson at right tackle, and Drew Kendall -- if healthy -- will replace Jurgens at center. A third-round pick in April's draft, Bell made his first career start during last week's loss to the Rams. Given the circumstances, Bell's overall performance was solid.
He allowed six pressures and an 18.8% pressure rate per drop-back. He was better in run blocking while helping the Eagles run for 104 yards despite Saquon Barkley missing most of the game with an injury. Kendall, a 2025 fifth-round pick, has logged four career starts, including three this season.
Kendell's play was one of the reasons why the Eagles felt comfortable trading Jurgens. Philadelphia has a whopping 12 players on this week's injury report. Among them were Kendall (knee), Barkley (hamstring), and wideouts DeVonta Smith (hamstring), Marquise Brown (ankle) and Dontayvion Wicks (hamstring).
These injuries (among others) surely contributed to the Eagles being a sizable underdog in London. The two teams are in entirely different situations entering Sunday's game. The Eagles have lost two straight and appear to be in jeopardy of waiving the white flag on the season.
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