Monday, September 6, 2010

Eagles Vs. Packers Matchup

So I figured I'd lay down a few thoughts before Sunday's showdown with the Packers. The Packers are a good team that many are predicting to appear in the Super Bowl. While I would not say that about Philly, I honestly believe that we are a good team too that can roll with the best. With that being said, let's see who gets the edge where:

Passing Game:

Philadelphia: Kevin Kolb. Kolb has great potential to play well. Whenever he has been good, he has shown impressive accuracy and a quick release. However, there have been times in the pre-season when I have called for Donovan's return. Still, against a weak Packers secondary and with the likes of Jackson and Maclin to throw to, Kolb can easily have a big day.
If we can get to Rodgers, we can seize victory. If not, he will make us pay dearly.
Green bay: Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is up against a tougher secondary, being coached by Dick Jauron. He has to worry about the ball-hawking Asante Samuel and a solid core containing the likes of Ellis Hobbs, Quintin Mikell, and Nate Allen. Yet, Rodgers is one of the best QBs in the league. He also has great weapons to work with. He also does not throw many picks, and will likely not hurt the team.

Edge: Green Bay
. Not enough is known about Kolb to give him the edge. It's hard to expect him to perform better than a top 5 QB.

Defense:
Philadelphia: The defense will be great this year. I genuinely believe it. The return of Stewart Bradley will already do wonders. And Nate Allen will be an upgrade over Macho Harris, Quintin Demps, Sean Jones, and whoever else we threw in there last season. With great depth along the D-line against a weak Packers O-line, a few sacks will be made.
The return of Bradley will make us a feared defense once again

Green Bay: A stout defense that ranked among the top 5 in the league last season. Clay Matthews will surely have to be accounted for. Yet, their secondary took a huge blow as Al Harris and Atari Bigpy are placed on the PUP list. With backups manning those posts, Green Bay will be even more vulnerable to the pass than they were before.

Edge: Philadelphia. I genuinely believe that with a healthy defense, we can wreak havoc and get pressure on Rodgers. Rodgers is used to handling pressure, but rushing him is essential if we are to have a chance of victory. I truly believe that our defense has the potential to affect Rodgers more than theirs could affect Kolb.

Running game:
Philadelphia: This is a weak side of our game, but against a 3-4 defense, LeSean McCoy should have a slightly easier time. However, run-blocking has been a weakness of the team for quite some time. It is too early to know if Mike Bell will help solve our short-yardage woes.
Green Bay: Their running game is not phenomenal, but it is solid. Ryan Grant is a very underrated halfback. They finished last season ranked 14th in rushing, as opposed to 22nd for Philadelphia. Although they will have a bit of a harder time against Philadelphia, who has many DEs that are effective at stopping the run.

Edge: Green Bay.
While our defense may be better tooled to defend the running game, the edge goes to the Packers here. Philly's running game is mediocre at best. In the past it thrived on Westbrook's explosive big-play ability. I am not convinced that LeSean McCoy is that kind of player, and I therefore can foresee a sophomore slump for him. Green Bay has the edge over Philly here.

Special Teams:

Philadelphia: Philly has great threats at Special Teams. DeSean Jackson is a threat to enter the endzone whenever he is punt-returning. David Akers is a reliable kicker who made the pro bowl last season. Ellis Hobbs is also a solid kickoff return man. Our coverage units are a bit shaky, but we definitely have the potential to gain yardage/score with our unit, especially now that we have Bobby April as our coach.
Green Bay had one of the worst Special Teams units in the league last year in returning yards, coverage, and penalties
Green Bay: Last season, they had one of the very worst Special Teams units in the game. They have the potential to be better this season with many key players, such as Will Blackmon their returner. And Mason Crosby is a bit inconsistent, but has a strong leg and therefore can score many field goals on a good day. However, this unit overall is very inconsistent.

Edge: Philadelphia. The Packers struggle with Special Teams coverage. DeSean Jackson and Ellis Hobbs may both have big days against this unit.

Overall Edge: Green Bay (slight edge)

Theoretically, Green Bay should win this game. They are a team with the potential to make it to the Super Bowl. However, as I have shown you, Philadelphia matches up very well against Green Bay. It also does not hurt that Andy Reid has a fine history against Green Bay. The Eagles have a legitimate shot of getting the upset here and coming out with a W. I believe that if Kolb plays well and shows he deserves to be the starter here, the Eagles will win. Even if Green Bay is the better team, the Eagles match up against them very well.


Green Bay should theoretically win, as the high-powered offense led by Rodgers should be too much to handle. But it will likely be a close game.

And with a victory here, the way the schedule is looking, who knows? I would say the next 2 games are easy wins for the Birds. If we can win the McNabb bowl, then another 2 easy wins ahead. This team can start 6-0 if it gets to a strong start and rides its momentum just based on the schedule.
The Eagles have all the tools to succeed and get the upset. A victory in Green Bay would propel us through an easy first half of the season.

Of course, the rest of the schedule is nasty, but a strong start may be enough padding to make it to our 9th postseason appearance in 11 years. But to make that a possibility, it would have to start with Green Bay. Let's knock them off and play some Eagles football!

Who's pumped for Sunday? E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!!!!

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