Why Eagles win, and why they don't
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Why Eagles win, and why they don't
Chuck Bausman
Much is unknown about Sunday's Eagles-Packers wild-card game. Why not? All of the season was unknown and wildly unpredictable. To fans picking the Eagles to go 10-6, congratulations. It worked out just as you thought.
On Sunday, will we see the high-flying Eagles of 2010? Will we see the overconfident, flat Eagles who lost to the Vikings on that bizarre Tuesday night?
The truth lies somewhere in between. It usually does.
Here are five reasons why the Eagles will beat the Packers:
1. Michael Vick. If he plays like an MVP, with necessary mad dashes for first downs and pinpoint passing accuracy, the Eagles will win. If he plays from the pocket, throws the long ball and picks apart the Green Bay secondary, the Eagles will win.
2. DeSean Jackson. If he is at full speed after a foot injury, if he gets open and is a viable target, he will lead the Eagles to victory.
3. Special teams. The Packers have to worry about Jackson's punt returns and David Akers has been great. Special teams nearly always have a say in playoff games.
4. Offensive line. The Eagles need to tighten this up. The Packers will charge after Vick from every angle. Should the offensive line protect Vick and open some lanes for LeSean McCoy, the Eagles will win.
5. The bye week. Well, it was all but a bye week, that exhibition mess against the Cowboys. This week is the payoff: The Eagles are rested, their injuries healing. The Packers had to play 60 minutes of intense football to beat the Bears. In football, go with the rested team. And, Andy Reid is 12-0 after the bye week.
Here are five reasons why the Packers will win:
1. Aaron Rodgers. He's one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the league. He's going against a leaky Eagles' defense that is the league's worst in the red zone.
2. Clay Matthews. The outside linebacker had 13.5 sacks during the season, three against the Eagles in the opener. He also chased down and planted Kevin Kolb into the Linc greenery, causing a concussion. Matthews is a disruptive force, someone who could cause Vick all kinds of trouble.
3. Mike McCarthy. No one knows this low-profile coach of the Packers. But when half of his team disappeared onto the injured reserve list this season, he held what was left together.
4. Charles Woodson. He's old (34), he has been around forever (13th season) but that means he's experienced. Having raw speed at cornerback is one thing; having guile, smarts and attitude might mean more.
5. The defense. The Packers' defense is ranked second in points allowed (15.0), fifth in yards allowed (309.1) and fifth in passing yards allowed (194.2). It ranks 18th in rushing yards allowed (114.9). This is a defense set up to stop the pass and, as luck would have it, they play the pass-happiest team in the NFL on Sunday. *
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fg%2Fa%2F2009%2F11%2F03%2Fpetscol110309.DTL— kschlind- The best coached team— allan1938
- Only one reason will count; the Eagles D sux! You don't win playoff games with no D.— JBinPA
- I am still of the opinion that our "D" can hold them to no more than 34 points. If the O-Line can do ANYTHING, I am quite sure the offense can get us at least 35. FLY IGGLES FLY!!!— TBear
- Easy Alex... I could easily make an argument for (in no particular order)
1. Brady
2. Manning
3. Rivers
4. Brees
5. Big Ben
Not to mention, a guy named Michael Vick, who, if you include his rushing TD's as part of his overall TD's, has numbers and a resume this year equal to A Rodgers. Let's let A Rodgers win 1 playoff game before we "crown him".
— madecaro 
Ok, whats with the point system now? I miss a little time from the boards and we have points? DooDooFresh should get about 5 billion points for calling the McNabb/Campbell thing for the 2010 season properly.- Packers D is far superior to Eagles. Offenses about Equal. Special teams go to the Eagles.
Eagles secondary will be their undoing Packers 27 Eagles 17— Randaman - Eagles Defensive, are iffy, but they do well in the 3rd and 4th quarter. When the moment and time is needed. In my mind, I think this game is rig on ratings. What is more marketable than having A Packer Vs Eagles rematch, a Eagles vs Bear rematch and what about a Atlanta Vs Eagles rematch. Think about it. Eagles is going to cruise to the superbowl what ever the speculation might be. Plus I don't see Vick losing two in a row. The Cowboys game was all Kolb and Andy. — gauwow
- I think the Bird's are One and Done.— bkg126
- I'm a little confused how you list this offensive line in a positive view. They've done a bad job all year and they've cost their quarterbacks games this season. They have to step up for the game tomorrow, but I don't see how you count on that happening.— kmon
Birds will win.- I would have said one and done, but this has started out to be a weird playoffs so far, Seattle beating New Orleans, of course, N.O. defense never showed up for the game...— phigglesfan75
- Alex, you're calling him an idiot? If Rodgers is top 5, then he IS top 10. So, theoretically, he's not wrong.— sixers_610
