APP ONLY: CB is Eagles' biggest concern

In the last meaningful game of the 2010 regular season, the Eagles had two defensive linemen on the field for the first time, a new nickel linebacker and a new right cornerback.

The linemen were Derrick Burgess and Jeff Owens. Burgess played less than five snaps at left defensive end, but was part of the rotation.

Owens, active for the first time in his career, suffered a season-ending injury.

At linebacker, Akeem Jordan was on the field in nickel situations, replacing Ernie Sims.

And at cornerback, Sean McDermott benched Dimitri Patterson in favor of Joselio Hanson.

The right cornerback situation is this team's biggest concern as it prepares for the playoffs. Asante Samuel is playing as well as he ever has, but the other side of the field has been a disaster.

Patterson was torched against the Giants a week ago, and the Vikings targeted him on Tuesday night. Percy Harvin had a 46-yard catch against Patterson, and the journeyman cornerback was called for unnecessary roughness a couple plays later.

It now looks like Hanson will replace him, but there's a trickle-down effect there. If Tuesday was any indication, rookie Trevard Lindley will likely be the third cornerback in nickel situations. That means the Eagles' secondary in nickel situations will be 40 percent rookies.

That's saying something, considering the Eagles' first-round matchup could very well be against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers' 101.9 QB rating his higher than Michael Vick's (100.2), as he's thrown 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Rodgers has been a big-play threat too, averaging 8.26 yards per attempt (second-best in the league).

The Eagles have about 10 or 11 days to get their secondary situation in some kind of order. Or the end of their season could be right around the corner.