Is It Safe To Start Philadelphia Eagles QB Nick Foles?
Is It Safe To Start Philadelphia Eagles QB Nick Foles?
When the Eagles lost Carson Wentz for the season, the general assumption was that the Eagles skill position guys would lose most of their daily fantasy value. Wentz was playing at an MVP-type level. It is impossible to replace that kind of production at this point in the season.
But Nick Foles was tasked with doing so last week against the New York Giants. In the end, he had a pretty solid fantasy-type day. But the Giants are terrible.
Can he do it again against the Oakland Raiders?
While Nick Foles is remembered most for failing with the Rams, he was a good quarterback at one time. When he threw 27 touchdowns and two interceptions in 13 games back in 2013, many believed he was the quarterback of the future in Philadelphia.
But then things came crashing down in 2014, and he was shipped to St. Louis.
At times last week, he looked like a guy who hadn’t played much the last year or so. But he’d been getting first-team snaps for just a week. He certainly didn’t look bad (24-38 for 237 yards and four touchdowns). After another full week as the No. 1 guy, he should look even better.
So, about those Raiders….
Of course, the big question will be whether he can handle the Raiders defense. Last week, he wasn’t pressured a lot (one sack, seven hits). According to the stat sheet, the Raiders defense didn’t pressure Dak Prescott much (two sacks, five hits). But anyone that watched that game will tell you that was not the case for much of that contest.
Oakland is capable of bringing a ton of pressure, but they haven’t for much of the season. The Eagles have a fairly decent offensive line. So, it is possible the Raiders could make life hard for Foles. But it is just as likely they don’t.
Start him?
If he plays, there are plenty of reasons to believe he’ll have the kind of day that will make you glad you started him. But, that’s if he plays. As crazy as it may seem since he’s played one game this season, the Eagles may sit him.
Should the Packers pull off the upset against Minnesota Saturday, the Eagles will be locked into the No. 1 seed. That means Sunday’s and Week 17’s games will be meaningless to them.
Yes, it would be good to get Foles a little more game time. But they already lost one quarterback this month. They don’t want to risk losing another. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has talked about getting third-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld some game-time reps. If they don’t need to win to lock up the No. 1 seed, don’t be shocked if he does.
As for Foles, until the final whistle blows on the Packers-Vikings game he’s a ‘buyer beware’ option.
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