Well, here we go.\u00a0 It is finally here.\u00a0 The Playoffs.\u00a0 All year has been working towards this day, and now it’s here.\u00a0 Let us get right to a couple of thoughts on the individual unit matchups that we will see today.<\/p>\n
Eagles on Offense:\u00a0 The Line of Scrimmage Eagles of Offense:\u00a0 The Secondary Packers on Offense:\u00a0 The Line of Scrimmage<\/em> Packers on Offense:\u00a0 The Secondary Special Teams The Pick<\/em> My Pick:\u00a0 Eagles 24 – Packers 21<\/strong><\/p>\n Random Notes<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Well, here we go.\u00a0 It is finally here.\u00a0 The Playoffs.\u00a0 All year has been working towards this day, and now it’s here.\u00a0 Let us get right to a couple of thoughts on the individual unit matchups that we will see … Continue reading
\n<\/em>I started with this because I think that this matchup has the most potential to win or lose the game for the Birds.\u00a0 The Packers defense is fantastic, and it, like most great defenses, is predicated on putting pressure on the quarterback.\u00a0 The problem – for the Eagles – is that they with the more athletic, speedy guys that are prevalent in 3-4 defenses.\u00a0 The Birds absolutely have <\/em>to pick up the blitzes from guys like Cla Matthews (who had a MONSTER game against the Birds in Game 1)\u00a0and Desmond Bishop out of the linebacking corps, and they cannot let B.J. Raji wreak havoc on the line.\u00a0 The Packers also got some good news when Cullen Jenkins was declared able to play this morning.\u00a0 Jenkins has missed four weeks with injury, but will bring his 7 sacks to the game today.\u00a0 But, the big thing that we have to watch for in the game today is the Packers stealing a page from the Giants and, subsequently, the Vikings gameplans – sending fast, athletic guys at Vick.\u00a0 The Giants did it successfully with Antrelle Rolle, and the Vikings took it to another level with Antoine Winfield.\u00a0 Unfortunately, for the Eagles, the Packers might have the BEST blitzing d-back in the NFL in Charles Woodson.\u00a0 This whole game might come down to the ability of Shady McCoy and company to pick up the blitz of Woodson, at least enough for Vick to dump it off or escape for scrambles.\u00a0 If we see Packers #21 in the Eagles backfield, it might mean one-and-done for the second straight year.\u00a0 Good news on the injury front is that Todd Herremans will play.\u00a0 He has maybe been the most important lineman for the Eagles this year.\u00a0 The bad news is that Max Jean-Gilles is a gametime decision.<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>I ranked all 12 playoff “weapons”<\/a> on Wednesday and actually put the Eagles at #1.\u00a0 It has been a long road from the days of Charles Johnson and Torrance Small, but we finally have a receiving corps that is not only dangerous, but terrifying for opposing defenses.\u00a0 This is where I think the Eagles can excel and win this game – not because the Packers are weak, by any means, in the secondary, but because I think this group of receivers is just that good.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the Packers have cut ties with our old friend Al Harris, so we will not be handed a 15-yard personal foul and a 35-yard pass interference today, but I do think that DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin can produce the big plays that we have grown accustomed to seeing all year.\u00a0 I also think that if Woodson and Matthews are going to be highly responsible for containing Michael Vick, then LeSean McCoy could be a huge threat out of the passing game.\u00a0 And, one other thing to look for:\u00a0 though he had a really slow start to the season, Brent Celek has come on lately.\u00a0 Do not forget that he led this team in receptions just a year ago.\u00a0 This is very intertwined with the ability to protect, but if the Eagles think that they can hold down the fort with just their five linemen, then Celek could be a real weapon down the seam.<\/p>\n
\nThe one real vulnerability of the Packers is their offensive line.\u00a0 Last year, they were dreadful, and this year, they are competent, but barely.\u00a0 They added\u00a0Brian Bulaga with their first-round draft pick, and he has been good –\u00a0not great, but good.\u00a0 And, another big loss for this team is Ryan Grant, who not only was he a very good runner,\u00a0he was an\u00a0excellent pass blocker in the backfield.\u00a0 Brandon Jackson is not as good at\u00a0picking up the blitz.\u00a0\u00a0We are going to miss Brandon Graham\u00a0today (and the rest of the year), but the Birds have plenty of talent leftover on that line.\u00a0 Trent Cole and Juqua\u00a0Parker should abuse the Packers tackles and get to Rodgers in the backfield.\u00a0 I think that this is where the Birds can really give the\u00a0explosive Packers offense\u00a0some trouble–and they are going to have to because I am not sure this next matchup\u00a0is all that encouraging.<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Now, we said that the Eagles offensive line versus the Packers rush attack might be the difference in this game…well, this matchup is right behind in importance, and could certainly be what we are talking about if the Birds season is to end today.\u00a0 We all know about the struggles of Dmitri Patterson, and it should be interesting to see (a) if Patterson even starts today, and (b) who, on the Packers, he ends up spending most of his time covering.\u00a0 If he is on Greg Jennings, then he will need to either play the game of his life or get a lot of help because Jennings is that good.\u00a0 On the other side, Asante Samuel is one of the best on the planet, but there is a problem.\u00a0 The Packers offense is predicated on the one-step drop out of the shotgun and the quick, West Coast passing scheme.\u00a0 The best defense for this is the bump-and-run, physical-type defense, but Asante Samuel has made a living of playing off receivers and taking chances to get picks.\u00a0 With Rodgers arm strength and quick passing scheme, that gambling style may not work that well.\u00a0 That being said, Samuel is always able to change the game with one big play.\u00a0 As much of a loss as Stewart Bradley and Brandon Graham are, the Nate Allen loss may be the most significant.\u00a0 He was playing a great free safety in this his rookie season, and now we are left with 7th-round pick, Kurt Coleman.\u00a0 Fortunately, Quintin Mikell has had a terrific season at strong safety.\u00a0 One piece of good news for the Birds is that the Packers have not found anyone close to a replacement for injured tight end Jermichael Finley, who is a HUGE loss for the Packers offense.\u00a0 All in all, the Birds have to stop these great Packer receivers if there are to pull this out.<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>The Eagles, with DeSean Jackson returning and David Akers in placekicking, are better.\u00a0 If it is a close game (likely), where field position is essential (not as likely with the explosive offenses), the Eagles have the advantage.\u00a0 Also, playing at home can often really help the special teams play, be it the kicking game or the emotion with which you have to play on kick coverages.<\/p>\n
\nAfter all of this, I can definitely see why the prevailing opinion if that the Packers are going to win this game.\u00a0 However, I am going with the Birds for several reasons:<\/p>\n\n
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