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PHILADELPHIA — When training camps opened around the NFL, the Jets and Eagles were viewed by some as Super Bowl favorites.
Four months later, the two teams meet with the Jets clinging to their playoff lives and the Eagles trying to salvage their season. The Jets (8-5) will make the playoffs if they win the rest of their games. The Eagles (5-8) need a miracle.
The so-called “Dream Team” turned into a nightmare a long time ago. The Jets are doing their best to ignore the Eagles’ ugly record and concentrate on their impressive roster.
“I thought they were probably going to be 14-2, have an unbelievable record,” Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis said. “But this is their first year working together as a unit, so things could take time with teams like that.”
The Jets could be in trouble if that turns out to be sooner. This is a difficult matchup for the Jets, who struggle with speedy teams. The Eagles have LeSean McCoy, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and, of course, Michael Vick who could give the Jets defense fits. Vick played last week after missing three games with broken ribs.
This would be the Jets’ fourth win in a row if they can pull it off. They have been in desperation mode since the brutal loss to the Broncos a month ago. After beating up on the Bills, Redskins and Chiefs, the schedule gets much tougher today, when the Jets travel down the Jersey Turnpike to face a team they have never beaten. They are 0-8 all-time against the Eagles.
“This time of year it doesn’t matter where you play, you better go win,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “This is going to be a big challenge, obviously, you’re going down the road to Philly. I know the Jets’ history — 0-8 against the Eagles.”
Here’s a look at how The Post sees today’s game breaking down:
MARQUEE MATCHUP
Jets OLBs Jamaal Westerman and Calvin Pace vs. Eagles RB LeSean McCoy: The speedy McCoy could present huge problems for the Jets. He is second in the NFL with 1,172 rushing yards and leads the league with 14 rushing touchdowns. The key for the Jets will be to maintain the edge and not let him get outside. The Raiders’ Darren McFadden killed the Jets earlier his year by getting outside. It’s on Westerman and Pace to keep McCoy contained inside the tackles.
IS VICK BACK?
The name Michael Vick draws a lot of attention, but a closer look shows he is not having a banner year. Vick has thrown 12 interceptions and 12 touchdowns this year. His rating is 78.9 and he has not rushed for a touchdown. The Jets still fear Vick’s scrambling ability, but it bears watching whether he can take a big hit.
“You just have to make sure that everybody has to assume the responsibility to get him down,” linebacker Bart Scott said. “You can’t assume he’s down because he’s a playmaker that can keep plays alive. He has the uncanny ability with a strong arm to throw the ball across his body, across the field with just the flick of the wrist.”
GO GREENE
The Jets seem to have finally gotten their running game going, thanks to the emergence of Shonn Greene. He has rushed for two of his three highest totals this season in the last two weeks. Since the Oct. 9 game with the Patriots, Greene is averaging 79 yards per game, the fourth best mark in the AFC. The Jets need to keep the ball out of the Eagles’ hands. A big day by Greene would go a long way toward that.
AVOID THE RUSH
The Eagles defense features the best pass-rushing combination in the NFL. Jason Babin and Trent Cole have combined for 24 sacks, the most by any two teammates in the league. The Jets have to be concerned about the Babin-Wayne Hunter matchup. The Jets right tackle has been abused by elite pass rushers. According to the website profootballfocus.com, Hunter’s nine sacks allowed are the fourth-most by a tackle in the league. Only two tackles have given up more QB hits (eight). Babin has 15 sacks.
ON THE CORNER
These two teams battled for the services of free agent corner Nnamdi Asomugha over the summer. Asomugha ultimately signed with the Eagles, leaving the Jets to turn to Antonio Cromartie. The Jets say Cromartie has played better lately, but you never know what you will get from him. He could be amped up today to show up Asomugha, and that could lead to mistakes.
COSTELLO’S CALL
The Jets have not won four games in a row this season. They won’t do it today either. This is a bad matchup for the Jets, who struggle against ultra-quick teams. The Eagles are finding their way and Philly is always a tough place to play. It’s close, but the Eagles pull this one out.
EAGLES 24, JETS 20
brian.costello@nypost.com