NFL - Sunday Match Preview: Philadelphia Eagles host Green Bay Packers
So the Eagles have one of the best offenses in the league, do they? Well, the Packers have one of the best defences and they have Aaron Rodgers. When the Packers go to Philadelphia this Sunday to face the Eagles, expect some quality football.
It feels like week one of the regular season all over again. Packers were the first opponents the Eagles faced this season and Green Bay won that game. But then that was only the first game of the regular season, this is now the playoff and here ‘win or
go home’ is the rule. The stakes are high and both teams are going to put everything they have into this game.
Michael Vick is back to his 100 percent and with him at the helm; Eagles become one of the toughest teams to beat in the NFL. Vick started 12 games this season and Eagles won 8 of those. He has thrown 21 touchdown passes for just 6 interceptions. Vick wasn’t
intercepted even once in his first 7 games of the season. His passer ratings in the regular season stand at 100.2 and the best thing about him is that he doesn’t just pass the ball. He can run it too.
His versatility makes him a pain in the neck for the defenders. Vick has scored 9 rushing touchdowns in his 12 games this season. One of his most devastating performances came against the Washington Redskins where he passed 333 yards, threw 4 touchdown passes
and ran 80 yards for two more touchdowns. That is a total of 6 touchdowns on the ground and in the air for the quarterback. Against the Packers' defence, 5th in the league against the pass, Vick used his legs as well as his arms. He ran 130 yards
in addition to the 175 yards' passing.
Packers' quarterback, Aaron Rodgers didn’t run but he was still able to pull out two touchdowns against the Eagles’ defence from just 188 yards. Vick wasn’t even supposed to start that game. He only came on to the field after Kevin Kolb was knocked out with
a severe hit by the Packers' defence. Packers were not prepared for Vick and the Eagles quarterback almost pulled a comeback over them.
A lot has changed since that first game in September. Vick has had a MVP worthy season and both teams have suffered a number of injuries. Packers' defence knows what they have to do which is to put pressure on Vick. This actually means running around after
the quarterback and trying to chase him down. Not something the Packers are looking forward to. “I absolutely hate it,” Packers' defensive lineman Ryan Pickett said. “It is not fun chasing that guy around. But you've just got to keep heat on him.”
Packers' defence might be their strong suit but their offence isn’t helpless either. Rodgers’ passer ratings are actually higher than Vick’s. He has thrown 28 touchdown passes for just 11 interceptions. However, short-yardage has been an issue for Rodgers
and the Packers. On the third and fourth downs with a few yards to go, Green Bay have struggled and often missed out opportunities to score. In a playoff, a 3 points field goal or a 7 points touchdown could turn out to be the difference between winning and
losing. The Packers have to capitalize on every opportunity they can get.
In those short yard situations, Packers would look to their fullback John Kuhn to bail them out. Kuhn has completed 26 first downs on 84 attempts for the Packers this season and has proved his ability to steal those few yards when they are most needed.
One advantage for the Eagles is the fact that they would be at home, being cheered by their home crowd. They could also use the run against the Packers. Green Bay on average have allowed 114 yards per game in the regular season. In addition to Vick, Eagles
can use their running backs to disastrous effect against the Packers' defence. A strong rush would also take the pressure off Vick and make him more dangerous in the air.
Packers are better rounded in comparison. They have a rock solid defence and an offense that is nothing to be ashamed of. The game really is too close to call at this moment but the Eagles depend on Vick much too heavily. If the Packers are able to counter
him, Philadelphia won’t have much left to fall back on.
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