The Philadelphia Eagles have a two-game advantage over the Dallas Cowboys in the win column heading into the final four-game stretch of the season. And we've seen more weaknesses in the Eagles' armor this year than any other in recent years, so the latest QB injury twist for the Las Vegas Raiders might just be to the Dallas Cowboys' benefit in Week 15.
The Cowboys have their own business to take care of with a matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Dallas on Sunday. The Vikings are coming to town for a primetime matchup after shutting out the Commanders. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the NFC East, the Eagles will be playing host to the hapless Las Vegas Raiders.
On paper, it's a game Philly should win rather easily, but we just got a fascinating twist with news that Geno Smith would not be starting for the Raiders due to a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 14. Instead, it will be former Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, who might give the Raiders a fighting chance at pulling off the upset.
Kenny Pickett might give Raiders a chance to help Cowboys with win over Eagles
Given what we've seen from Geno Smith this season, it's not a hot take to say that Kenny Pickett would present at least a possible upgrade for the Las Vegas offense. Smith has been an absolute machine when it comes to turning the ball over and taking sacks this season, a huge reason why the Raiders have not even come close to meeting expectations in year one of the Pete Carroll era.
To say they've been a disappointment this year would be an understatement, but in limited action against the Denver Broncos, Kenny Pickett actually started dropping some dimes.
The Broncos started to get a little soft in their coverage, but Pickett had a nice touchdown throw late in that game and Broncos head coach Sean Payton wasn't pleased about it after the game was over. In a game in which the Broncos otherwise had dominated, Pickett came into the game and at least took advantage of what the defense was giving him.
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And because the Eagles traded him away, he might have a little chip on his shoulder going into Sunday's game. The Eagles not only traded Pickett, but they traded him to the Browns, of all teams. The Raiders acquired Pickett from the Browns after an injury cost him a shot to compete for their starting job with Joe Flacco during the offseason.
Seeing the way Jalen Hurts has been playing this year, Pickett might be inclined to show the Eagles what they're missing and get ready for free agency himself. It might be a limited sample, but Pickett's next four games (if his audition lasts that long) could loom large for his pursuit of getting a shot at someone's starting job next year.
Putting together a quality start against the Eagles would go a long way, not only for Pickett's pocketbook, but for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys will get to watch while the Eagles take on the Raiders on Sunday, and if they can take care of business against the Vikings, they'll be one step closer to potentially reclaiming the NFC East.