Is it Sunday yet? As we all await the Eagles squaring off with the 49ers in South Philadelphia, I\u2019ll answer some questions from Birds fans in a new mailbag.<\/p>\n
@sean_foley (Instagram): Will Tank Bigsby get a steady set of carries after an impressive game against the Commanders<\/p>\n
The Eagles\u2019 offensive line has been in shambles this season after perennially being the team\u2019s biggest strength for roughly a quarter of a century. Between injuries, regression and flat-out poor play, that simply hasn\u2019t been the case as of late. It\u2019s caused Saquon Barkley, after a historic, world-dominating performance last year, to look human.<\/p>\n
The Eagles will want to ride Barkley as they did last postseason, but Bigsby has earned a right to see a half-dozen carries per game. No shade to the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year, but Bigsby just looks more explosive than Barkley right now. Barkley should remain the Birds\u2019 main guy in the run game, but why not mix it up? Doug Pederson\u2019s squad expertly did that in the run to the 2017 Super Bowl, using all of LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi and even Corey Clement to immense success.<\/p>\n
A little thunder and lightning never hurt\u2026<\/p>\n
@crooks1021 (Instagram): Who is the most important defensive player on Sunday?<\/p>\n
Zack Baun, perhaps the greatest buy-low free agent signing in franchise history last offseason, needs to have the game of his life on Sunday. Baun, in conjunction with the Eagles\u2019 talented linebacker group, will be tasked with slowing down Christian McCaffrey as both a rusher and a receiver. He is the key to this San Francisco offense.<\/p>\n
If I had to rank a top five in terms of the most important Eagles defenders for this matchup, I\u2019d go:<\/p>\n
Zack BaunJordan DavisJalen CarterNakobe Dean (if healthy and playing)Jalyx Hunt<\/p>\n
@crooks1021 (Instagram): Would you rather have Trent Williams or Christian McCaffrey inactive?<\/p>\n
Williams has a Lane Johnson-like impact for the 49ers, but downgrading from McCaffrey to Brian Robinson Jr. in the San Francisco backfield would scream an easy Eagles win.<\/p>\n
@crooks1021 (Instagram): Will the Eagles score 24+ against a putrid Niners defense?<\/p>\n
My heart says the Eagles will finally put it all together and pump out 30 points in a landslide victory that sees the Birds\u2019 defense shutting down Brock Purdy and co.<\/p>\n
My head says this will be the most disgusting 13-6 win in the history of organized football.<\/p>\n