Eagles-Bills Game Preview: Who Will Win in Week 17?
The Philadelphia Eagles have won back-to-back games but they’ll face a tough battle when they travel up north to visit the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. Sunday afternoon’s matchup could be a sneak preview of Super Bowl LX.
While many have remained skeptical of the Eagles after consecutive wins against bottom dwellers in the NFL, the Bills are far from a joke. Buffalo is viewed as one of the best teams in the league and will provide Philadelphia with a chance to prove that their recent turnaround isn’t a fluke.
Here’s my full game preview for a potential Super Bowl matchup in Week 17.
Three Storylines To Follow
Can the Eagles Defense Avoid Being Bullied on the Ground?
Everyone remembers what happened to the Eagles against the Chicago Bears in Week 13. The Bears ran all over Philadelphia’s defense and did whatever they wanted on the ground. The Eagles can’t let that happen again.
The Bills will present an even tougher challenge on the ground, as Buffalo leads the NFL with 158.9 rushing yards per game in 2025. Philadelphia’s defense will also be forced to slow down Buffalo’s dynamic rushing duo of James Cook and Josh Allen without linebacker Nakobe Dean.
The Eagles will rely on rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell to step up and start, similar to how he did in the first eight games of the regular season. Campbell had struggled against the run at times, but he won’t be able to make those same mistakes in Buffalo.
Eagles Must Capitalize on Missed Tackles by the Bills
While the Eagles defense struggled to stop the Bears on the ground a few weeks ago, the Bills defense has struggled to stop the run all season long. Buffalo’s defense is allowing 144.3 rushing yards per game, 29th in the NFL.
Now the Bills will be tasked with trying to slow down one of the hottest running backs in the NFL, Saquon Barkley. After a historic performance last season, Barkley got off to a sluggish start in 2025. Yet he’s beginning to heat up in recent weeks.
Barkley has recorded 332 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in Philadelphia’s last three games. Now he’ll look to take advantage of a juicy matchup against the Bills porous run defense in Buffalo.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Bills have recorded the 12th-highest missed tackle rate (13.2%) in the NFL this season. Yet when they miss tackles against designed runs, they have proven to be incredibly costly.
The Bills have allowed 8.1 yards per missed tackle on designed runs, the most allowed by a defense since 2018. If Barkley can break a few tackles against the Bills, it could be a long game for Buffalo’s defense in Week 17.
Can the Bills TEs Continue To Find Success in the Slot Against the Eagles?
There is going to be an interesting strength versus strength battle in Week 17. Josh Allen loves to target his tight end trio from the slot. Yet the Eagles are one of the best teams in the NFL at defending tight ends from the slot.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Eagles have allowed the third-lowest completion percentage (57.8%) and the lowest yards per target (4.6) to opposing tight ends aligned in the slot. Philadelphia’s defense is also one of three units that hasn’t allowed a touchdown to a tight end aligned in the slot in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Bills lead the NFL with six touchdowns to tight ends aligned in the slot this season. Dalton Kincaid has already hauled in four touchdowns from the slot and will look to become the first tight end aligned in the slot to score against the Eagles this season.
Two Underrated Players To Watch For
Cameron Latu
My appreciation for Cameron Latu started during the preseason, when I noticed his effort and willingness to tackle on special teams. Yet he has since carved out a role on Philadelphia’s offense thanks to his blocking ability.
After missing last week’s game due to a stinger, Latu is set to return in Buffalo. Prior to suffering the injury, Latu played a career-high 19 offensive snaps against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15. Latu’s ability to line-up at fullback has unlocked a few different looks for Philadelphia’s rushing offense.
While Latu might not be a household name, he has developed into a role player for the Eagles. Given Buffalo’s struggles against the run, Latu could play a key role in opening up holes for Saquon Barkley (and others) to run through on the road against the Bills.
Jackson Hawes
Bills rookie tight end Jackson Hawes is essentially everything that the Eagles want Latu to develop into. Hawes is an elite blocker that has helped ignite Buffalo’s seemingly unstoppable rushing attack.
While Hawes only recorded 16 receptions in college, he has already hauled in 15 receptions as a sneaky target in Buffalo’s offense. The Bills love to utilize all three of their tight ends and Hawes’ blocking ability essentially gives them another offensive lineman on the field.
Philadelphia’s edge rushers will need to bring their hard hats and lunch pails against the Bills on the ground. Hawes has legitimate game-changing ability as a blocker and the Eagles need to plan accordingly in Week 17.
One Key Matchup To Monitor
Jalen Hurts the Scrambler vs. Bills Defense
One of the biggest criticisms of Philadelphia’s struggling offense was Jalen Hurts refusing to utilize his legs as a runner. Yet in recent weeks, Hurts has looked far more willing to run and it has helped jumpstart the Eagles offense.
Hurts has rushed 14 times for 79 yards in Philadelphia’s last two games and he has got it done both on designed runs and as a scrambler. His scrambling ability could be especially important against the Bills as Buffalo’s defense has struggled against mobile quarterbacks.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Bills have faced the eighth-fewest scramble runs per game (1.8), but Buffalo has allowed 9.3 yards per scramble run this season, the third-most in the NFL. The Bills have allowed 16 first downs on 27 scramble runs faced, the most in the NFL.
Hurts had five scrambles for 40 rushing yards in Philadelphia’s win over the Washington Commanders last week. If Hurts continues to utilize his legs when things breakdown in the pocket, he could run all over Buffalo’s defense on Sunday.
Underdog Pick’em Plays for Eagles-Bills
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Final Score Predictions
Josh’s Pick: Eagles 27, Bills 22
This will be the toughest rushing attack the Eagles have faced all year. And without Nakobe Dean, the task falls to Jihaad Campbell to step up in his absence. Fortunately, the defense is much better rested though and despite their earlier struggles, the Birds’ offense seems to be finding their stride. I’ll take Philly to win as they begin to convert the skeptics.
Anthony’s Pick: Eagles 26, Bills 24
While the Eagles may have won back-to-back games against two lowly opponents, the Bills will present an entirely different challenge. Buffalo is viewed as one of the top teams in the NFL and will provide the Eagles with a chance to silence all of their doubters ahead of the playoffs. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley will power Philadelphia’s offense on the road to a close victory over the Bills.