• March 29, 2024

Eagles-Packers Pregame Thoughts

NickFoles7How The Packers Can Beat The Eagles

A fast start is going to be critical for Green Bay.

The Packers need to get ahead early in the game, and set the stage for run-heavy offensive attack that will feature running backs Eddie Lacy and James Starks. The Eagles’ defense isn’t known for the physicality, and a couple of powerful runners like Lacy and Starks could give them fits.

Seneca Wallace is not a guy that they can count on to win them games, and the less that they ask him to do, the more effective he’ll be. When Wallace is called upon, he’s got to take what the Eagles give him. He can’t try to do too much and risk turning the ball over like he did against the Bears on Monday night.

Defensively, Green Bay has got to start creating more turnovers. This is a Packer defense that has only forced three interceptions going up against a quarterback in Nick Foles that hasn’t thrown a single pick all season.

The strength of the Packer defense is their run defense. They allow an average of just under 95 yards per game, and the Eagles have really struggled to get LeSean McCoy going over the last month.

Why The Eagles Will Win

The Packers defense has gotten shredded for 27 or more points four times this year, including the last two weeks where they’ve given up 31 to Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings and 27 to Josh McCown and the Chicago Bears. That’s not exactly impressive company.

Nick Foles won’t throw seven touchdown passes this week, but he should certainly be able to move the ball against this defense. Foles has been great at running Chip Kelly’s offense at a fast pace, managed drives extremely well, and converted his third downs against the Raiders a week ago.

If the Eagles get out to a quick, two-score lead, and force Seneca Wallace to beat them, I can’t see the Green Bay backup coming through. The Eagles defense has made some great strides in the last month, and they’re playing well and gaining more confidence with every week. A unit that was once a liability is now coming up with big plays and contributing to victories.

Quick Thoughts

  • Brent Celek and Zach Ertz were more heavily involved in last week’s game than they were all season. Will we finally see the two-tight end sets consistently worked into the offense?
  • With the Packers likely to lean heavily on the run, I think we’ll see less of Vinny Curry and more of Clifton Geathers this week.
  • Green Bay may only have three interceptions, but they’ve done a decent job getting after the quarterback. They’ve got 24 sacks from 13 different players this year.

Final Thoughts

Week to week, the Eagles have been one of the hardest teams to figure out this year.

When it looks like the team is about to turn the corner (following a two-game winning streak at New York and Tampa Bay), they fall flat on their faces and drop two winnable games at home.

When it looks like the wheels are beginning to fall off, they bounce back with a great victory across the country in Oakland in a game where the quarterback makes NFL history.

With Aaron Rodgers out of action, fate has smiled on the Eagles and given them a great opportunity to go out and steal a win from a team that many (myself included) originally had penciled in as a loss before the season.

Green Bay won’t be a cakewalk, but I do like the Eagles to win this week. Nick Foles won’t play at the level that he did a week ago, but he’ll move the ball and put up enough points to win and have a better game than Seneca Wallace.

The Eagles are playing better on both sides of the ball right now, and with Green Bay licking their wounds from the injury bug, I think the Eagles win this game and get back to .500.

Pick: Philadelphia 30, Green Bay 20

Denny Basens

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deserteagle
deserteagle
November 10, 2013 12:28 am

It is more why the Eagles ,are destined to win this game ,based upon finally some semblance of order at the qb position.Foles has been spectacular and spectacularly awful.After putting up canton like passing for 7touchdowns ,the bar has been raised ,that will force Foles to be focused.In Arizona and as an Eagle he’s shown both ends and rarely a middle ground….This team has talent when utilized and coached and the transition to the 3-4 defensively has calmed one side of the ball,now foles must take control ,and not allow focus to become his greatest foe…The confidence he shows off last weeks performance can’t be measured ,but I am hopeful as an Eagle fan we are watching our guy ,for many years to come .

daggolden
daggolden
November 10, 2013 5:52 am

Im confused. So basically what we are saying is the only difference between the Packers and Eagles was Aaron Rogers. lol. We have a better team then the Packers. Something doesn’t seem right.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
November 10, 2013 7:35 am

Well if Nick wants a second “starting QB” contract in the NFL here is a wounded perennial playoff contender in 40 degree weather. It won’t answer the question is Nick Foles the future with a good showing but it might end it if he crumbles in the cold. Big opportunity and certainly interesting to watch.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 10, 2013 8:21 am

GO EAGLES!!!

jott1972
jott1972
November 10, 2013 9:07 am

will the real Nick Foles stand up?

The Packers will not lose two straight at home… they are going to run the ball 40+ times and rely on play action pass… Eagles offense struggles early..

GB 20 PHI 17

greenfan
greenfan
November 10, 2013 9:50 am

GAME DAY!! GO BIRDS!!!

The defense is set for a big day. Kelly will look to continue last weeks offensive success. I would believe that most fans are holding their breaths to see which Foles will show up, the Tampa/Oakland Foles or the Dallas Foles. I tend to believe that he will be closer to the Tampa Foles, but I would be lying to say that there is not some amount of doubt. We will find out today.

GO BIRDS!!

andrew p
andrew p
November 10, 2013 10:20 am

As the weeks go by your going to see more consistency, as everyone can see, were still trying to figure things out, look at our kickoff and punt returns, they finally figured out Johnson isn’t the guy, now were seeing more 2 TE sets, were still a work in progress but it’s looking more n more like the players are getting this system down and once they do, look out! were going to shock a lot of people.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 10, 2013 12:43 pm

Eagles Brethren gmcliff, DCAR, HAC, Paulman…Question for all of you. Do you guys n gal (TS) think Johnathan Martin would be a good fit in Eagle land? He is a good tackle and could be a replacement for Peters. That way we would not have to worry about drafting one. If he still has the desire to play, although I don’t think he wants back in Miami, he could be a viable option.

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 1:36 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

Absolutely not for OT J Martin,
Not only is he a marginal OT to be begin with,
He is also not mentally tough enough to last
In Philly .. He would be ridiculed out of Phillybin a month’s time

DCar
DCar
November 10, 2013 2:33 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

Ehl, Martin is a heartless, ball-less, punk, who quit on his team. I want zero parts of him. Do you want a softer version of Shawn Andrews? Not me.

gmcliff
gmcliff
November 10, 2013 9:14 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

No. I wasn’t high on him, when he came out.

gmcliff
gmcliff
November 10, 2013 9:15 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

Besides he is really a guard

Theone1
Theone1
November 10, 2013 1:14 pm

Transcript first half. Take away Mcoy primarily, shut down Desean on the long ball. Force Foles out of the pocket, because he is slow as balls, and sack city all day. But hey. At least we see what we have. FINALLY!

IrishEagle
IrishEagle
November 10, 2013 2:21 pm
Reply to  Theone1

LOL what a nitwit…

Theone1
Theone1
November 10, 2013 1:16 pm

Kendrick’s going down? Not an excuse. Riley Cooper is a bum.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 1:24 pm

Catch the ball Cooper…..jeez, that one was easy.

Troubs if the Birds D keeps making Wallace look competent. Good stop there though….doink….Birds get good field position.

Theone1
Theone1
November 10, 2013 1:26 pm

WOWZA!

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 1:39 pm

QB Wallace now out of the game
Packers down to Scott Tolzien..
Eagles need to put 8 in the box to stop Lacey..

Theone1
Theone1
November 10, 2013 1:41 pm

He needed pick those yards up with his legs DAMN!

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 1:41 pm

Bad sack taken by Foles, have to get rid of that ball to have a FG Attempt..
Eagles OT Jason Peters and probably out for remainder of Game..

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 1:43 pm

1st round pick.

OT

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 1:50 pm

Eagles should pitch a shutout here. 10 pts allowed maximum.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 1:52 pm

I am not a fan of Tolzien to Boykin for 1st downs.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 1:55 pm

I want a little heat on the next drive…right now its 8 rushes to 5 passes….lets attack…get up 14 and then open up a blitz parade against tolzien.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 1:57 pm

nice effort on the challenge

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 2:08 pm

2nd round pick….kicker?

DCar
DCar
November 10, 2013 2:35 pm

Glad you ain’t the freaking GM. 1st OT? 2nd kicker? Put the pipe down!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 2:42 pm
Reply to  DCar

was a joke…..but the best jokes/stories have a kernel of truth in them. Eagles need a new kicker.

DCar
DCar
November 10, 2013 2:44 pm

Oh ok. Thought you went off the deep end? LOL!!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 2:28 pm

Foles not getting results….but making GREAT decisions.

2 lobs to Desean (both incomplete) great decisions. Has his #1 WR one-on-one with a DB and throws it up to him. One lost in sun. Too bad.

Throw to Avant on the slant….nice read. Again one-on-one, but defender was holding.

Foles seems to always choose the right guy to throw to. Improve the talent there and $$.

DCar
DCar
November 10, 2013 2:39 pm

Who needs Dayquil, with this snooze fest? PU!!!! BTW, stop with the overhype vin, you are embarrassing yourself. That pass he threw up to DJax, that went into the sun, was a wounded duck, that shouldn’t have been thrown. He also took a bad sack, & is holding onto the ball too long! Cut it out.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 2:44 pm
Reply to  DCar

You aren’t looking at what you should be looking at. Each of his throws has been to single coverage. That’s what he should be doing.

In fact, his worst throw was the TD!!! While it was the right read, it was late and allowed the safety to get there to sort of break it up…..any of his “incompletions” have been better throws.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 10, 2013 2:44 pm

Um..those were wounded ducks. And he’s not Manning, Flacco or even Eli where he can get away with that…on top of the fact we don’t have the receivers where you can get away with that with any consistency.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 2:54 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

So you are saying Jackson isn’t the kind of top flight Wr that can win a battle for a wounded up for grabs duck (like Jordy Nelson has done 2x this game?)

Look, both ducks have been in a position where the only guy to get it was an Eagle. They didn’t come down with either. But he’s not throwing into 3x coverage like your hero does constantly.

The nfl is all about putting the ball in a place where only your guy can go and get it….so far that’s happened 4x (Cooper drop, 2 desean lobs and the Avant throw) All 4 were great decisions by the QB, knowing what the D is giving him, and throwing at a guy in 1 on 1 coverage.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 2:58 pm

You think QBing is all about arm strength.

I think its about decision making.

You are wrong.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 10, 2013 3:15 pm

I didn’t say anything about arm strength and it doesn’t matter what decisions he’s making if he can’t make the play.

But keep showing why you’re so irrelevant.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 3:31 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

You really must hate this so much.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 3:34 pm

Dude is 4-1 this year…….oh wait….3-1 and a significant reason why they won the 4th game. (is that better??)

16 tds. 0 ints.

NOT ENOUGH!!! Because he threw a duck and you know…the Dallas game!!

Keep pining for your hero. Or whichever ‘running’ qb will be your next hero.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 10, 2013 4:11 pm

LOL.

Typical Vinnie.

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 3:48 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

Your Team is Winning an important game TS, and your complaining..

DCar
DCar
November 10, 2013 2:43 pm

Tavon Austin is a beast 2day! 3 td’s. 2 receiving, 1 return. Dude makes DJax look like he’s in slowmo!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 2:48 pm
Reply to  DCar

Y…the bader is on fire!!!

Not a fan of the Packer 3rd string QB moving the ball so easily. Good thing Rodgers not playing!

I do think the Pack D is playing their best game because they know its all on them….they are the team’s only chance….too bad the Birds haven’t been able to grind the down a bit…..and that our D has allowed their O to look competent….keeping them in the game and they haven’t quit yet!!

gmcliff
gmcliff
November 10, 2013 9:17 pm
Reply to  DCar

He’s got nothing on DJax DCar…..This is his bet game as a pro, congrats , but he’s got nothing on DeSean

mhenski
mhenski
November 10, 2013 9:21 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

Yea Austin had 2 catches today. 1st pro game where he did anything. So far he has been a major bust

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 2:50 pm

Stupid Raiders can’t put the Giants away…..

DCar
DCar
November 10, 2013 2:57 pm

Giants & Sheli, are putrid! I love it!

DCar
DCar
November 10, 2013 2:59 pm

Nice catch Cooper!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 3:16 pm

Eagles up 20-3 and GB just came out run run….so its pretty much over.

Want Bryce Brown 20x last 20 mins.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 3:21 pm

This D still needs a lot of work.

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 3:25 pm

Now we will see what the Eagłes and Foles
Are made of, Game on, a very important series to
Make a statement for Foles Futre and the W right here..

DCar
DCar
November 10, 2013 3:27 pm

NIIIIIIIIICE!!!!

andrew p
andrew p
November 10, 2013 3:33 pm

You’re looking at the difference between this coaching and the last one that was here, HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS!!!!!

Stevo
Stevo
November 10, 2013 4:19 pm
Reply to  andrew p

Agreed,

DCar
DCar
November 10, 2013 3:35 pm

What a difference Rogers makes? Man these dudes are atrocious! Wallace? Tolzein? PU!!!!

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 3:36 pm

Great response by Foles and Eagłes to go back up 27-10,
The Foles Era is Officialy here as Owner Lurie has mandated to Coach Kelky to find out about the a younger QB’s on Eagłes for moving Future,
Still a lot of game left here..

pdiddy
pdiddy
November 10, 2013 3:36 pm

Another good game by Foles, go birds. Again next year’s draft defensive beast period.

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 3:41 pm

Watch for the on-sides kick right here
Pack down 27-13 and may give it a try

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 3:53 pm

A huge mistake by Foles, the only way you keep the Packeres in the game is with a Turnover.. Go doen, but you have to protect the ball
This game is far from over..

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 3:57 pm

Giants Win 24-20 over Raiders
Jaguars about to win their first game 29-20 over a texans
Rams blow out Colts 38-8
Sehawks blow out Falcobs 38-10

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 10, 2013 4:14 pm
Reply to  paulman

Titans

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 4:00 pm

Big stand by the Eagłes Defense right there, way to stand your ground
After the Turnover…

wanderlei silva
wanderlei silva
November 10, 2013 4:07 pm

I can’t stand Green Bay and their whole “we are the cradle of football purity” and that mausoleum Lambeau Field. I have no sympathy for them that the all-world qb is out. We had plenty of years where Randall was out, Don blew a gasket in his abs and his poped his knee. I don’t want to hear any of the “if Rodgers played blah blah blah”. He didn’t and they didn’t have a good enough backup, too bad. As an aside, what happened to Pam Oliver? She used to be hot, now she looks like a pre-op tranny. I heard she had a kid, what did she do, eat the baby?

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 4:08 pm

Wow. That was really close.

pdiddy
pdiddy
November 10, 2013 4:08 pm

Another good game by cooper, I got to give him his props.

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 4:10 pm

Very impressive Drive, Eagłes just cashing a defeated Packer Defense, a greatvtobend the game by pounding them right down the field at their house..
How many injuries today .

Stevo
Stevo
November 10, 2013 4:13 pm

Another great game for this team. Everyone is playing at a high level and foles is shining. This team is better than I imagined this year and it’s clear they are getting even better.

Ok..N.O. We are rooting for ya.. Make us proud.

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 4:17 pm

Enjoy the Win for 1 day, and then back to Work for the Eagłes to face the rested Redskins in a big NFC East Contest,
A win over Redskins makes the NFC East a 2 Team Race between
Cowboys & Eagłes…

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 4:20 pm

65% 3 tds and no ints in a win….NOT ENOUGH for TS Johnson because Foles underthrew someone.

Good gameplan…good win.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 10, 2013 4:28 pm

lol.

You know good and well those numbers don’t go anywhere near to telling the story. And the commentary on Birds24-7 and even Bleeding Green Nation shows that.

We won and that’s what matters. But Foles got bailed out quite a bit and GB couldn’t get it done with their 3rd stringer.

But I expect small mindedness from you.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 5:02 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

Y I know Foles sucks.

He gets “bailed out” He only plays “bad Ds” That’s your story. You hate Foles. Got it.

Move on. Follow your running QB to wherever he’s playing next.

4-1 for Foles. I’ll take that. You won’t.

Vamoose.

Stevo
Stevo
November 10, 2013 4:20 pm

Another thing…. How about the coaching today? The last drive is why I for 1 we are done with bombs away play calling. Go birds.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
November 10, 2013 4:21 pm

Good game by the Oline and Foles…Nice response of a touchdown by Foles. Good D, made plays when they had to. Especially off of the turnover by Foles. Nice 4th quarter run holding the ball for the last 9 minutes. Sweet victory.

Stevo
Stevo
November 10, 2013 4:23 pm

Stupid q from Pam about Vick. This is foles team now. He stepped up and is leading. Enough stirring the pot.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 10, 2013 4:25 pm
Reply to  Stevo

No more stupid than the 50-11 questions that happened when Vick was in. Until Kelly comes right out and says “it’s Foles team now.” That’s what it’s gonna be.

No surprise there.

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 5:14 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

You don’t get it TS, owner Lurie has already spoken a out the QB Position
For the Eagłes and Mike Vick is no longer in consideration for the Starters spot.. Lurie has mandated that Kelly/Rosenan found about Foles and if needed to be Barkley.. Vick will never start another agame for the aeagkes barring an injury to Foles.. It’s right from the Owners mouth so you will have to come to Terms with it..

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 10, 2013 5:24 pm
Reply to  paulman

“you don’t get it TS”

Your post should have ended there.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 10, 2013 6:18 pm
Reply to  paulman

What are you talking about?

I’m pointing out the questions are no more silly than when they happened constantly before. It’s just how it is. Until Kelly decides to proclaim Foles the outright starter the questions will keep coming.

Silly

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 4:23 pm

Eagles would be a Wildcard Team if Season ended today regardless
of what Cowboys Do this evening..
Packers, Lions lost
Eagles have better NFC Conference Record
Over them.. The Key is Eagłes beating the Redskins,
Cardinals, Bears and Vikings and they are in as a Wildcard
With a 9-7 Record.. Even if they were to lose Division to Cowboys

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 10, 2013 4:35 pm
Reply to  paulman

I see the Redskins game…but cardinals and Bears don’t know about.

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 4:45 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

1 Week and Game at a time
Cutler injured his ankle and did not finish the game and now may be out a couple weeks..
6 games Left, all NFC Conference Games
If Eagłes go 4-2 and Beat the aredksins, Bears, Cards & Vkings,
They are in no matter if they lose to Lions & Cowboys
For Bears, Packers would lose NFC Conference and head-to-heaf matchups if they were to Tie but both Bears/Packerss will struggle to Ein Games without Cutler & Rodgers..

NFC East -Cowboys 9-7
NFC North – Lions 10-6
NFC South -Saints 11-5
NFC West – Seahawks 13-3

Wildcards 49ers 12-4 & Eagłes 9-7

Wild-Card Round

Cowboys at Saints
Eagles at Lions

paulman
paulman
November 10, 2013 4:45 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

1 Week and Game at a time
Cutler injured his ankle and did not finish the game and now may be out a couple weeks..
6 games Left, all NFC Conference Games
If Eagłes go 4-2 and Beat the aredksins, Bears, Cards & Vkings,
They are in no matter if they lose to Lions & Cowboys
For Bears, Packers would lose NFC Conference and head-to-heaf matchups if they were to Tie but both Bears/Packerss will struggle to Ein Games without Cutler & Rodgers..

NFC East -Cowboys 9-7
NFC North – Lions 10-6
NFC South -Saints 11-5
NFC West – Seahawks 13-3

Wildcards 49ers 12-4 & Eagłes 9-7

Wild-Card Round

Cowboys at 49ers
Eagles at Lions

Muimuiman
Muimuiman
November 10, 2013 4:41 pm

Vick has never had a stretch like this in his life. Not even his first 6 starts as an Eagle.

mhenski
mhenski
November 10, 2013 5:03 pm

Eagles can’t run the ball unless Vick is qb. Haaaaaaaaa

Vick puts butts in seats haaaaaaaa

Hating on the birds in the middle of an easy win. Haaaaa

Fraud city.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 10, 2013 6:20 pm
Reply to  mhenski

“Eagles can’t run the ball unless Vick is qb. Haaaaaaaaa”

46 (shared) – 116 – 55 – 48 – 44 – 155

Those are McCoys numbers with Foles in the game. I mean where were u crowing when he put up 46 – 55-48 – 44 yards previously?

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
November 10, 2013 6:21 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

But once again..the conversation had nothing to do with Vick..but the scheme and a mobile QB vs. a non-mobile QB.

Reading comprehension is fundamental.