Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field will bring more than just bitter cold. It will bring urgency, pressure, and a matchup that looks straightforward on paper but carries real implications for an Eagles team searching for traction as the season moves deeper into December.
Philadelphia enters the weekend at 8–5, reeling from a three-game skid that has exposed offensive inconsistency and stalled momentum. Las Vegas arrives with a 2–11 record, a patchwork lineup, and little margin for error. Yet the NFL has a way of humbling teams that assume outcomes, especially in freezing conditions where execution matters more than reputation. Fans tracking the latest developments around the league can find broader coverage across Explore New Jersey’s dedicated football section.
The Raiders are operating shorthanded, particularly on offense. Their starting quarterback is sidelined, key wide receivers are unavailable, and the offensive line has struggled to establish any rhythm all season. Still, Las Vegas is not without pieces that demand attention. Edge rusher Maxx Crosby remains one of the league’s most relentless defenders, capable of wrecking game plans on his own. His matchup against Eagles backup right tackle Fred Johnson will be one of the afternoon’s defining battles, especially with Lane Johnson still out. Johnson is expected to play through an ankle issue, and Matt Pryor could rotate in if necessary, but Crosby’s nonstop motor ensures the Eagles must account for him on every snap.
Offensively, Las Vegas will lean on rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and Pro Bowl tight end Brock Bowers. Jeanty has not replicated his collegiate dominance behind a porous line, yet his burst and vision make him a threat if lanes open. Bowers, meanwhile, is the focal point of the passing attack and a mismatch nightmare over the middle. Philadelphia’s linebackers, along with nickel defender Cooper DeJean, will be tested repeatedly as the Raiders try to simplify their approach and shorten the game.
Under center for Las Vegas is a familiar face in Kenny Pickett, now starting in place of the injured Geno Smith. Pickett spent time in Philadelphia as a backup and understands the organization well, but Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio downplayed any perceived advantage that familiarity might bring. From Philadelphia’s perspective, Pickett is operating within a different system, surrounded by different personnel, and must contend with a defense that just posted a season-high sack total in its most recent outing.
Las Vegas has not hesitated to make changes amid a difficult season. Head coach Pete Carroll recently dismissed offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon as the franchise begins reshaping its identity. The numbers reflect the turbulence. The Raiders rank near the bottom of the league in total offense, struggle mightily on the ground, and have failed to consistently protect the quarterback. It is a roster in transition, with foundational decisions looming beyond this season.
Philadelphia’s challenges, however, have come despite an abundance of talent. The Eagles’ offense has yet to find week-to-week consistency, and quarterback Jalen Hurts is coming off a difficult performance that included multiple interceptions and missed opportunities. His teammates have been quick to emphasize trust and perspective, noting that downturns are part of the position and that collective execution, not individual blame, remains the priority.
Defensively, the Eagles have largely held up their end of the bargain, though Sunday will require adjustments. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter remains out as he recovers from shoulder surgery, removing a disruptive presence from the interior. Even so, Philadelphia’s defensive front retains depth and speed, and the coaching staff has been clear about the need to contain Crosby while maintaining discipline against the run and tight end routes.
Weather will play its own role. Temperatures are expected to hover below freezing, with wind chills dipping into the teens. Ball security, footing, and situational awareness will be magnified in conditions that favor physicality and patience over explosive play.
From a positional standpoint, Philadelphia holds the advantage across most units, particularly in the trenches and the secondary. Las Vegas remains competitive at tight end and running back, but the disparity at wide receiver and along the offensive line underscores why the Eagles enter as heavy favorites. Still, those advantages must be translated into clean execution, something Philadelphia has struggled to do during its recent slide.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field, with the game airing on FOX. Radio coverage will be available locally, as well as Spanish-language broadcasts for fans tuning in across the region. Betting markets reflect the expected outcome, but December football has a long history of punishing complacency.
For the Eagles, this matchup represents more than a chance to add a win. It is an opportunity to reestablish identity, protect home turf, and show that recent struggles are a temporary detour rather than a defining trend. In the cold, against an opponent with little to lose, Philadelphia’s response will say a great deal about where this season is headed.
