Bradley Fletcher Will Be X-Factor For Philadelphia Eagles In Week 6

By Nick Villano @nick_villano on October 8, 2014

The Philadelphia Eagles are on national television this week as they take on their NFC East rivals, the New York Giants. This should be a battle of two teams fighting for supremacy in their division.

The passing game is the most important part of the Giants’ game plan. Stopping that is something the Eagles have struggled with all season. If they let Eli Manning run wild on them, it is going to be a long night.

This is why Bradley Fletcher is the x-factor for the Eagles this week.

The Eagles are ranked 29th in the league at stopping the pass. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed more yards through the air on the season. If Fletcher cannot stop either Rueben Randle or Odell Beckham (whomever ends up being the No. 2 receiver), then the Giants could make this game a blowout. Cary Williams will most likely get the job of stopping Victor Cruz, who has been inconsistent all season.

Fletcher would be especially good if he could pick Manning off. So far this season, Malcolm Jenkins is the only player on the team who has any interceptions.

The Eagles have been living their season off big plays by the special teams. They are eventually going to have to win in a more traditional way.

Fletcher needs to play better this week, or he may be replaced by Brandon Boykin. He could be playing for his job the way that things have been going in the Eagles’ secondary. There are some fans and analysts who are calling for the change to happen prior to the game. Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis had to come out this week and defend him. It makes it that much more important he shows up on Sunday Night Football.

Fletcher is going to be targeted early and often by Manning. He needs to step up to the plate, or the Eagles are going to lose. It is that simple.

Nick Villano is the New Jersey Devils writer for Rant Sports.  He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content.  You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.