It’s going to be a cold afternoon this Sunday in Green Bay, but the Eagles are looking to make their biggest statement so far this season, walk away victorious in a game that is going to be quite the battle.
If you find yourself hesitant to give the Eagles a shot at winning the game this Sunday, you are likely matching up Aaron Rodgers and our defensive secondary. The Green Bay quarterback has been playing elite status football, and his touchdown to interception ratio at Lambeau Field is ridiculous this season.
Envisioning Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher matching up with the likes of Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, career games as an Eagle would be needed by our starting secondary just to keep those two receivers in check. Boykins would need to look like the player who was a game changer for the Eagles in the second half of the season last year, but who has noticeably struggled at times this season. Nolan Carroll will likely see an increase in playing time, as the Packers are going to have a lot of four receiver passing routes and I expect a lot of dime coverage looks to counter.
Eddie Lacy was contained nicely by the Eagles last year, but we weren’t dealing with Rodgers at quarterback. Devonte Adams who was taken in the second round by the Packers has earned the trust of Rodgers as the season has gone on. Although the tight-ends don’t have statistics that are going to wow you, they have great chemistry with Rodgers, know their role, and create mismatch problems in the red-zone and on third down.
The offensive line of the Packers is not great, a few guys are playing through injuries and Rodgers can become visibly frustrated when taking a few hits. If the front seven of the Eagle defense can inflict some of the damage that Cam Newton and Eli Manning felt over the last couple of weeks, it would be a tremendous help to limit what Rodgers does on the stat sheet.
With all of these offensive weapons, how do the Eagles stand a chance in this game? If you glanced out how the Seahawks, Lions and Saints took down the Packers, it started with committing to the running game.
The Packers lost their nose tackle B.J. Raji very early in the season, and are 30th in the league at stopping the run. Chip Kelly prepares his offense for the opponent that they are facing. He is a man who studies and a man who watches countless hours of film. Could he slow down the tempo by running the football and being more cautious of the time of possession with how potent the Packers offense can be? For some reason, slowing down anything with Chip I feel is never going to be part of his coaching style.
The defense for the Packers has issues with unorthodox looks, running guys in motion and unbalanced sets. Percy Harvin and Brandin Cooks game the Packers issues all game long with all of the pre-snap movement. Is this a game where the Eagles attack with double wheel routes lining up Sproles and McCoy at the same time? Do we see an end-around with Josh Huff or even an attempted throw from Maclin to Ertz?
Between the disguised looks that Billy Davis is drawing up to get pressure on the quarterback and the ability for our special team units to make an impact on the game, the Eagles have an arsenal of weapons that compliment what their offense can do. You can’t overlook nine touchdowns scored through non-offensive play-calling, this number is outstanding, let’s make it ten or even eleven come Sunday. What is now becoming apparent is that scoring points for the Eagles can and will come by methods other than running and throwing the football.
Look, this game I felt when the schedule was released would be a loss. I look at what the Eagles have done over the season compared to the Packers, and the teams that beat us and the same for the Packers. I put a check mark next to what the Eagles are better at and the same for the Packers. Still, I struggle with adjusting that feeling I had when the schedule was released.
To win this game, Chip is going to have to coach at the level of a Super Bowl caliber coach, because the guy calling the shots for the Packers has a title ring for a reason.
My nerves are shot as we inch closer and closer to this game. The feeling is reminiscent to the one that creeps in you for a playoff game, yet no team is being eliminated after Sunday.
Am I confident, absolutely, I honestly believe and will not hesitate to say that I believe the Eagles could go to the Super Bowl this season, whether we win or not come Sunday.
The Eagles are going into week 11 with the same record I predicted, but are playing better “team” football than I imagined at this point in the season.
The fan in me says one thing; the realist in me speaks differently.
Packers 34 Eagles 30
Birds win 31-17
Man Stevo. That’s optimism. If either teams win by double digits, I think it will be the Packers. They are 4-0 at home and are averging something like 40 points per game at home. This game will all come down to how well we can put pressure on Rodgers without blitzing.
We are going to get that pressure on Rodgers…we have to…I think the D-Line comes up big!
Jeff if you’re scared get a dog…I am growing more and more confident ,as the game draws near ,I have a few points that make me feel emboldened …the games that the defense have put on tape of late are keeping Rodgers up at night …the rankings of the defenses when I researched them was eye opening..the PACK are 21st overall…30th against the rush (Matthews was a stop gap) against a bear team that didn’t show up…moving guys out of position is an act of desperation..I think Mathis seals this guy and he’s outplayed by his lil brother …the 30th ranking ,surprised me even more ..most teams are trying to keep up with the packers 30 plus points average per game ,by throwing out of need ..Essential that the Eagles play from the lead and dictate the rush game and commit to it ..the athletes on the cold tundra will be tested vs chips and the offenses paces..this to me is the game within the game ..do you look to pound the ball and keep Rodgers off the field? Or do you uptempo the offense to wear down a suspect defense? I’ll be intrigued to watch this play out..I think the other dynamic you failed to mention in your article is the insertion of mark sanchez ?you never addressed it when you stated you had this game circled as a loss ,before the season??I really believe in the hype that a team rally’s around the new guy??I don’t under estimate that..this one game focus with another week of working with the ones and the second week the offensive line is together !the reemergence of the defense and the obvious special teams advantages ??all make me believe this won’t be a shoot out as Vegas predicts with a total at 55 ..and the line on the game is moving from 41/2 to -6… This is the $$ talking ..is this the anti sanchez commentary ? Or is it the overhype of Rodgers nd the lack of respect for William and Nate Allen …I sense it’s all of that …that’s why this game will be so pivotal ,as the winning teams of this game and the Detroit ,arizona tilt ,will give us a post entail preview of an NFC matchup for the bowl…
Great points deserteagle; right up until you talk about the overhype of Rodgers. The hype of him is 100% justified. Also, the lack of respect for Nate Allen and Cary Williams is equally justified.
btc I hear what you are saying. Rogers is legit. The one thing that concerns me are his ball fakes. Our safeties showed against Arizona and the Carson to Brown touchdown, that we will bite hard on a good ball fake. Jordy Nelson is a great target for Rogers and I believe that they have a number of pass plays for over 20-40 yards. This will be a challenge for this team, staying disciplined and not biting on the fakes. Of course that also means that our front 8 can handle Lacy without the need of a safety.
All that said I still see the Birds winning. It will not be easy, but we are a strong team that will soon make enough noise to get the whole leagues attention.
GO BIRDS !!!
No doubt the Packers are playing well, and Rogers is a great QB who is playing at the top of his game right now. That being said we have a very resilient team that is 7-2 and has been in every game this year. The Packers are not the ’72 Dolphins and we have no chance. This coach and his coordinators have proven that they are able to make adjustments during the games and will take what the opponent is giving them. Our defense is playing stronger and stronger each week, and no doubt are full of confidence even when faced with a Rogers led Packers team. Our special teams should be feared throughout the league, and I would guess that any punter who kicks it to Sproles will be cut the next week. We have a very good team in the Eagles and we are going to make a statement at Lambeau Field this weekend. Eagles 27- Packers 17.
GO BIRDS !!
I think it will be a close game with no Winner Determined due to a Electrical Outage due to the Winter Storm.. When the Lights come back, there are no Football Players to be found
I love it! All I know is that I hope Sanchez and the D play well so I can beat you in fantasy…
I’m with you green …but it will be as always who wins that dreaded ,turnover battle …and that puts that spotlight back on the sanchize..and shady ,who is giving me palpitations running with the ball away from his body on a cold turf..
Pman that’s why you’re the hedge man …why not just have the eagles limo bus break down before kickoff ?
Lol….like they have limos in Green Bay.
Pman do you agree ? Winners of the Detroit vs Ariz.. Game and this packer vs eagles are a potential preview of the NFC championship game and who gets home field? That’s how high the stakes are IMO.
They quite possibly could be… But with 7-8 Games left and with 2 Teams in Arizona and Detroit who don’t really have a History of Winning, there are lots of things that can and will likely happen to alter the Playoffs
I am not discounting the Seahawks or Saints just yet…or even the 49ers can make a Run with Aldon Smith and Navarro Bowman coming back for the stretch run and who really knows about he Cowboys
I say it’s Wide-Open now and will likely remain that way the rest of the Season that way the Teams all have strengths but weakness’s as well
Btc.. Not at all disagreeing with both your points ..but..you’ll give me this ..Rodgers at home hasn’t thrown a pick since Songs last date ….quite a long Time.. He hasnt had to face this type of a team all year ..clicking on all cylinders ,with a new guy at the helm ..the back end of our defense is reliant on the front end ..Barwin ,graham, where’s curry lately? —are balling…I’m not at all dissing the best qb we will face up until now..he does concern me ..but..I do feel the scheme and putting kill shots on him might even take him out of play ..
Chew on this …remaining games for pack…eagles ..@minny ..New England..Atlanta …at buffalo at Tampa and the feast at home vs Detroit…Detroit has @AZ..vs New England in back to backs..bears ,Tampa ,Vikings ,@bears ..at Green Bay ..the cards face the lions@seattle in back to backs@atlanta AR brings his kc team into the desert ..@rams Seattle and niners to end the season…certainties ..one team will lose in pack vs eagles ..one in az vs.lions and at the end of the road we close out with giants and redskins..while az plays seattle and the niners fighting to be relevant .nd Detroit and Green Bay go Mano to Mano..
I don’t think much of Mark Sanchez. A little shocked he went 4 quarters Monday Night without an interception. I expected him to go 3-5 in the final 8 starts. The Eagles Defense handed Sanchez a nine sack 5 turnover game of a lifetime performance with a punt return TD and interception return TD.
I think more of Sanchez than Foles! We change QB’s and suddenly were 7 for 7 in the redzone. We’re giving the Defense a break by not having the NFL turnover leader-Nick Foles-in the game
Kuechly kicked the crap out of Shady McCoy but Sanchez was able to overcome that and make the Panthers pay for single covering Jordan Matthews all day. Sanchez almost had 3 TD instead of 2 on that Celek throw and catch. That was a beautiful throw. Sanchez played well.
foolsneeze is not a rational being
Kool’s alright. He always plays black on the roulette table so he is correct half the time.
Silly rabbits…haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the new fool rotundfiend…its no surprise “you dont think much of Mark Sanchez”, beagles0…but to be a bit more accurate simply say “you dont think much”
Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy aren’t turning the ball over so no free points or short fields this week. Sanchez is going to have to beat the Pack with 4 long drives the old fashion way to get to the needed 28 points.
Kool vs Carolina ….calm down…as per usual the points you make are so biased..if you look at one game in which you had a damaged cam newton vs a pin there ears back defense with a shit to of sacks ..and a special teams score a defensive score added to the game ..and to add to that the eagles offense played on a short field ,due to turnovers ,we need see the game through the lens in which it unfolded ..your bias for anyone vs foles aside …In my opinion Foles has a similiar type game .. Now to be fair ..I like the footwork and speed that sanchez showed me ..he did throw n I’ll advised red zone pick (but the defenders toe landed out of bounds) so technically it wasn’t a pick,but it was a poorly executed attempt,. Sanchez is a 50/50 proposition tds to picks throughout his career ..that means more to me ,than his performances vs Houston and Carolina ..I’ll give you this songs ..if he goes into Green Bay and plays a clean game ..then you can start boasting a bit…
Packers 38 – Eagles 20
Eagles are bound to play a poor game, Barkley in the 4th Quarter to lead Eagles to 10 Points during Garbage Time ..
Or
Eagles 35 – Packers 31 in one of the most exciting NFL Games of the Season with the winning TD coming on a Fake Punt and Pass from Punter Donnie Jones to Josh Huff for a 72 Yard TD play with 3 Minutes left to play,
Then the Packers drive the length of the field down to the 8 Yard line with 4 Seconds left and needing a TD to Win…. Nate Allen makes a diving Interception in front of Jordy Nelson who beat Cary Williams with time running out…. An Instant Classic
28????
One of these teams will have to score 45.
Pack at home this year….31, 42, 38, 55 points scored.
Thinking the Eagles can win by scoring 28 is very, very wishful thinking.
You forgot to mention that those 4 home games were against the Jets, Vikings, Panthers and Bears. We all saw the destruction of the Bears last week, but frankly the way that our defense has been playing I would say that they are better than any one of those 4 teams.
Y you are right…not too tough…..esp the Panthers, Jets and Bears
The Panthers……they are completely terrible and give up tons of pts every time they go on the road (but that’s why I don;t think too much of the last Eagles win)
But the Minny wipe out is legit. Secretly, the Minny D is not bad…having only given up 30 to 2 teams – the Pack and GB.
I think the Pack is going to be able to put up high 30s Sunday….I think its a dream to say the Eagles win if they just score 28….especially if its snowing!
You could be right. Vegas seems to see a high scoring game. For some reason I still believe that this will be a statement game for the Birds. Special teams will continue to play well, and the offense needs to help keep the defense off of the field.
Eagles/packers promises to be a good game.
But how bout in the hot stove league…Stanton going to get $325 for 13…he will be 38 during the last year. He still has two years of team control but they signed him to extension early as per a normal course for a player that helps identify your brand… It’s all funny money!
Crazy money.
Best hot stove news is Burnnett signing with the Pirates to really make sure he doesn’t come back here. I was completely wrong about that signing.
Maybe we will be talking about Yasmany Tomas in the near future.
Funny money… It means very little to these teams.
Burnett goes and the locker room gets better, get a young guy that can throw 180-200 innings with a 4.3 era and he is replaced.
I have a bad feeling about Tomas…. I think the Phil’s will make a nice offer but somehow come in second
Rumors have the Phillies Hiring Ed Stefanski and Billy King as Advisor’s
to Reuben Amaro… Good Grief….
and Joe Banner to help get their Payroll in Line…
Trust me paul, the bottom line at CBP is just fine….the 6-7 year run and the increase in franchise value…. Obscene money!
They’ll average 25,000 Fans for the 2015 Season..
They’ll be a 4th/5th Place Team in 2015 but hopefully will be on the rise with some New Young Players..
I don’t see them signing any Big-Name Players to come in,
maybe a Starting Pitcher, another OF, but maybe they will move some aging players for young Prospects
I would like to see OF Markakis come to CBP
but go ahead and move R Howard, J Rollins, C Ruiz, J Papelbon, C Lee if they can which I am sure is wishful thinking..
But who knows.. Detroit Tigers need a Closer
and AL Team may like Howard as a DH, Rollins can still play a good SS, Ruiz and Lee still have some in the Tank to help a contender
PIrates lost Catch Russell Martin, maybe they like Ruiz
Lee can go anywhere and help a Staff Out .. (Yankees,Red-Sox,
Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians.)
I think they are in on Tomas. I think they deal Hamels…which I hate, history shows throughout baseball is that dealing a proven MLB player for prospects rarely works.
Looks like Markakis is going back to Baltimore
Really it depends on Asche, Franco and I bet they give brown one more year..ugh on brown!