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Eagles vs. Jaguars predictions: Rounding up experts’ picks for the Birds’ Week 5 matchup in London

The Eagles have dropped two straight, are battling injuries, and have seen massive roster changes. Now, they'll head across the pond to face a 3-1 Jacksonville team.

Will Eagles fans in London be treated to a Birds win on Sunday?
Will Eagles fans in London be treated to a Birds win on Sunday?Read moreDavid Maialetti / Staff Photographer

After a hectic week, the Eagles will look to end a two-game losing streak when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in London (9:30 a.m., NFL Network).

A disappointing 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a series of injuries, and massive roster changes leave the Birds (2-2) facing a difficult test against Jacksonville (3-1), which hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in a game through four weeks.

Can Jalen Hurts and the Eagles get their season back on track across the pond, or will Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars hand the Birds their third consecutive loss? Let’s take a closer look at who the local and national media are picking:

Inquirer predictions

The Inquirer’s beat reporters believe the Birds are heavy underdogs heading into Week 5 against the Jaguars.

Jeff Neiburg has the Jaguars winning, 23-13, and wonders where the scoring will come from with stars like DeVonta Smith out.

“It has been hard to count [Nick] Sirianni and the Eagles out when they have faced adversity in recent seasons.
But have they ever had a week like this? [Lane] Johnson retired, [Cam] Jurgens was traded, and the injury report is loaded with key players.
Combine those factors with how each of these teams are playing, and it’s hard to envision an Eagles victory across the pond.
A struggling offense now has a new-look and inexperienced offensive line protecting Jalen Hurts when protection has at times been an issue and run blocking has been inconsistent.”
Jeff Neiburg

Ryan Novozinsky told Eagles fans traveling to London to enjoy the first few days of their trip because Sunday is going “to be a messy one.” He has the Jaguars winning, 24-7.

“I thought last week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams was as guaranteed a loss as can be (and that wound up being true after they blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead).
Then came this distraction-filled week.
The Eagles weren’t doing too hot even before the distractions. The Birds are averaging just 6.2 yards per pass attempt, the seventh-worst mark in the NFL. They had 68 net passing yards against Los Angeles, which was their lowest total in 23 years. Their run game has been stagnant — and projects to get even worse with Barkley and Tank Bigsby injured, plus an ever-changing offensive line structure.
Combine all of this with the fact that they’re facing the 3-1 Jaguars, led by offensive guru Liam Coen and an improving Trevor Lawrence, and you can see why I’m pessimistic.”
Ryan Novozinsky

Read more of our writers’ picks here.

National media predictions

NFL.com: All five experts picked the Jaguars over the Eagles. Jeremy Bergman wrote that they are “flying into London battered, bruised and beleaguered.”

ESPN.com: Seth Wickersham is the lone ESPN expert who picked the Eagles over the Jaguars.

The Athletic: The eight-person panel backed the Jaguars over the Eagles.

CBS Sports: Writer Jared Dubin is the only expert picking the Eagles to cover.

USA Today: All of the USA Today experts picked Jacksonville. The injuries to Nick Sirianni’s squad are “a lot to overcome against a Jacksonville team coming off a road win in Cincinnati,” Adam Kaufman wrote.

Sports Illustrated: There seemingly was a trend within the national media this week. Once again, all eight analysts at Sports Illustrated picked the Jaguars to beat the Eagles.

Bleacher Report: The seven experts at B/R are split when it comes to the 6½-point spread: four picks for the Jaguars, and three for the Eagles. Analyst Ian Hanford wrote, “The Jaguars’ defense has been very good and should be able to bottle up the Philadelphia rushing attack with [Saquon] Barkley on the shelf.

“However, this is still a veteran Eagles group coming off a tough loss to the Rams. I don’t think they’ll do enough to win, but Jalen Hurts comes on strong in the second half and gets the backdoor cover.”

Pro Football Talk: Mike Florio has the Jaguars winning, 27-12. “The Eagles went from 2-0 with plenty of questions to 2-2 with few answers. Given the injuries and the roster turmoil, it will take all of coach Nick Sirianni’s abilities and then some to engineer a win after a flight to London.”

Sporting News: Bill Bender also has the Jaguars taking home a win, 24-21.

» READ MORE: Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith officially ruled out for Eagles’ London meeting with Jaguars

Local media predictions

Philly Voice: Staff writers at Philly Voice are picking the Jaguars to win by a large margin on Sunday in London.

Bleeding Green Nation: Ben Natan and Alexis Chassen picked the Birds to win on Sunday, with the four others backing the Jaguars.

Delaware Online: Out of the 11 reporters making picks, nine chose the Jaguars. Bob Jordan wrote, “The Eagles have not been below .500 at any point during a season since 2021 Week 14, so maybe motivation to preserve that streak does the trick for the Birds.”

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Listen to the latest episode

For over two decades, one of the guiding personnel principles of the Philadelphia Eagles organization has been to prioritize the offensive line. Through four games, and this past week in particular, the group has undergone dramatic turnover. Hall of Fame-caliber tackle Lane Johnson retired. Cam Jurgens was shipped to Baltimore in a trade. Their respective replacements have potential, but, compared to how general manager Howie Roseman has stockpiled talent on the line in the past, the options now seem less optimal. Did Roseman and the Eagles stray from a long-held philosophy? The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane retraces key decisions that brought the team to this point. Listen here.

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