This is it. It’s Wild-Card weekend in the NFL. I am going to break down each game individually in its own post, so be sure to check out the other three parts. You can find each of the other three posts to the right of this one. Just find the link for each one, click on it, and read on. Here we go.
Game 4:
Sunday, January 9, 2011
4:30pm - FOX
Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles
This will likely be not only the most watched game, but also the most exciting game of the first round of this year’s postseason (though, as you will see by my prediction, the score may not suggest it). Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are just now hitting their stride, and over the past few weeks no one has known which Eagles team was going to show up. Michael Vick is having an amazing season, but over the past few weeks he has suffered against heavy rushes, and the Packers have the tools to bring just that.
With Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson being two of the best pass rushers in the league right now, Vick could be in for a long day. As it is, the Eagles have to be concerned that he won’t be able to get away from rushers with his thigh injury. Vick says that he is 100% but that could just as easily be false information. And if it is not the case, Vick could be taking some shots that may lead to Kevin Kolb being pinned with the job of getting the Eagles past Green Bay.
The Eagles defense hasn’t impressed me recently, and with Rodgers ability to sense what is happening around him in the pocket, he is a very dangerous person to face when your defense is struggling. Rodgers can run with the ball, he can sit and find an open man, and he can beat you play in and play out with whichever direction he goes. The Packers have so many weapons this year for Rodgers to throw to that it is very difficult for defenses to have enough time to get a glove on him. Even hurrying Rodgers is a challenge this year.
The best way to fight this is to forget about rushing Rodgers. Send the standard four rushers and spy Rodgers with one or two linebackers. Send the other five or six defenders back to cover the pass. If Rodgers’ weapons are all covered and there is no running lane for him, there may just be enough time for the defensive line to outlast the Packers’ O-Line.
Meanwhile, the Packers will need to pressure Vick early. Woodson and Matthews will be called on a lot early on, and A.J. Hawk can’t be forgotten about either. Matthews and Hawk are two of the most talented linebackers in football and both have the ability to rush the Quarterback or drop back and shut down any passing options over the middle.
One advantage the Eagles have is their receiving weapons. With DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin both possessing the ability to get open very quickly, whether running over the middle or down field, Vick may be able to get some long throws off before the defense can reach him.
Something the Eagles may want to consider doing is to run some draw plays. The only way to get pressure on Vick is if you send some people around outside, otherwise Vick can scramble out and beat you to the corner. If the Eagles’ offensive line can pick up the Packers linemen rushing from the outside, and leave a couple linemen in front to keep the linebackers away from him, LeSean McCoy would be a dangerous weapon, especially if the Eagles can sell the pass before putting the ball into his hands.
This game will go down to which team’s defense is most effective. The Packers are at a disadvantage in the offensive ground game, but Aaron Rodgers is more than capable of making up for that through the air. How much the Packers will use Brandon Jackson remains to be seen, but Green Bay’s strength is in the passing game and they need to not stray from that. Jackson is a good back, and he should get some touches, but the ball needs to be primarily placed in Rodgers’ hands if the Packers are going to win this game like I think they will. Even with the Packers primarily relying on the pass, I don’t see the Eagles containing the pass.
My pick:
Green Bay beats Philadelphia, 41-23
No comments:
Post a Comment