Falcons (+5) over Eagles
Eagles had some things clicking on offense vs. the Vikes. Some WR's stepped up and Westbrooke played well. However it was the Eagles defense that impressed the most shutting down the Minny offense. Looking at the philly offense they got some serious breaks. Not only did Brian Russell DROP two interceptions but the LJ Smith fumble forward right into the endzone to the Philly WR. Looking at Minny they have a poor defense yet they still managed to keep themselves in the game. Then a screwed up fake FG attempt killed a positive drive. Yes the Viking had there share of breaks as well.
looking at the Philly defense. Constant pressure was in the Minny backfield all day. Trotter was blowing up the line of scrimmage and minny couldn't establish any running game. This WILL be a problem this weekend because all day long the LB's were blitzing and Wiggins was open in the middle of the field. Culpepper failed to read this the whole game. Atlanta should be able to take advantage because Vick looks for Crumpler when he is in trouble. Also Culpepper has scrambling ability but to compare him to Vick is an insult. Vick will be able to turn the ball up field when a play breaks down something Culpepper could have done but instead chose to scramble behind the line of scrimmage, to keep the passing play alive. The problem I see for Atlanta is how TRUE the eagles played in their lanes. I rarely saw the Eagles D-lineman over commit. Something the Falcons took advantage of playing the Rams. Vick broke huge runs of the playaction counter. IMO they will not have that open up against this eagle defense. That doesn't mean that Vick won't still out run the back side containment and get a few positive yards. But I don't think the play will have as much success. To keep containment means the line can't crash down, which should allow Dunn some running room. Philly has played well in the secondary but this game will not be won going deep every play. But they do have the ability to go deep if it is a must. The Falcons had the league's No. 1-ranked rushing offense.
Defensively the falcons are light years better than the Vikings. McNabb had all day to sit in the pocket and pass. The D-line of Atlanta will NOT be held at bay and WILL force McNabb into poor throws. As well as the Eagles WR's played the Eagles offense did not dominate the game. If they did, then this would be a different play. How this stands the D-line will collapse running lanes and the LB's will fill gaps, trying to shut down Westbrooke. McNabb will have to beat the Falcons himself and the WR's on the Eagles will not have as easy a day vs. Atlanta. The Falcons WILL jam the WR's off the line and that will be a huge difference. Minny did not want to get burned deep (why I don't know) but they played off every play. Atlanta will jam them or they will have problems. All in all the defense of the Falcons is too tough up front to give McNabb time and the corners and secondary are too good not to make plays and get into the receivers grill.
Special teams, Atlanta has a huge advantage in special team with Rossum returning. He has great field awareness and quickness. The Eagles have a great coverage team but Atlanta has the ability to break the big one. Plus the special teams coach likes to throw some curve balls, so they will have a trick return ready to go.
looking at this game, the echos of loses years past should not play into the eagles head. The will have the philly faithfully up and crazy for this game. It will be chilly and on grass, something the Falcons haven't always played well on. This will be Vicks game to win or lose. anything can happen on any given Sunday, but the Falcons have the tools to win this game. I'll give Reid a big coaching advantage, he will have some great plays ready to go, and Johnson will have the Blitzes dialed up. I am not sold on the ability of the eagles to get it done without TO on offense. It worked against the Minny defense but Sunday will be a different story. McNabb will have to scramble a lot because Atlanta has a very talented front four. I see the Falcons giving the Eagles everything they can handle and might even win this out right.
Cheers
Irish
Eagles had some things clicking on offense vs. the Vikes. Some WR's stepped up and Westbrooke played well. However it was the Eagles defense that impressed the most shutting down the Minny offense. Looking at the philly offense they got some serious breaks. Not only did Brian Russell DROP two interceptions but the LJ Smith fumble forward right into the endzone to the Philly WR. Looking at Minny they have a poor defense yet they still managed to keep themselves in the game. Then a screwed up fake FG attempt killed a positive drive. Yes the Viking had there share of breaks as well.
looking at the Philly defense. Constant pressure was in the Minny backfield all day. Trotter was blowing up the line of scrimmage and minny couldn't establish any running game. This WILL be a problem this weekend because all day long the LB's were blitzing and Wiggins was open in the middle of the field. Culpepper failed to read this the whole game. Atlanta should be able to take advantage because Vick looks for Crumpler when he is in trouble. Also Culpepper has scrambling ability but to compare him to Vick is an insult. Vick will be able to turn the ball up field when a play breaks down something Culpepper could have done but instead chose to scramble behind the line of scrimmage, to keep the passing play alive. The problem I see for Atlanta is how TRUE the eagles played in their lanes. I rarely saw the Eagles D-lineman over commit. Something the Falcons took advantage of playing the Rams. Vick broke huge runs of the playaction counter. IMO they will not have that open up against this eagle defense. That doesn't mean that Vick won't still out run the back side containment and get a few positive yards. But I don't think the play will have as much success. To keep containment means the line can't crash down, which should allow Dunn some running room. Philly has played well in the secondary but this game will not be won going deep every play. But they do have the ability to go deep if it is a must. The Falcons had the league's No. 1-ranked rushing offense.
Defensively the falcons are light years better than the Vikings. McNabb had all day to sit in the pocket and pass. The D-line of Atlanta will NOT be held at bay and WILL force McNabb into poor throws. As well as the Eagles WR's played the Eagles offense did not dominate the game. If they did, then this would be a different play. How this stands the D-line will collapse running lanes and the LB's will fill gaps, trying to shut down Westbrooke. McNabb will have to beat the Falcons himself and the WR's on the Eagles will not have as easy a day vs. Atlanta. The Falcons WILL jam the WR's off the line and that will be a huge difference. Minny did not want to get burned deep (why I don't know) but they played off every play. Atlanta will jam them or they will have problems. All in all the defense of the Falcons is too tough up front to give McNabb time and the corners and secondary are too good not to make plays and get into the receivers grill.
Special teams, Atlanta has a huge advantage in special team with Rossum returning. He has great field awareness and quickness. The Eagles have a great coverage team but Atlanta has the ability to break the big one. Plus the special teams coach likes to throw some curve balls, so they will have a trick return ready to go.
looking at this game, the echos of loses years past should not play into the eagles head. The will have the philly faithfully up and crazy for this game. It will be chilly and on grass, something the Falcons haven't always played well on. This will be Vicks game to win or lose. anything can happen on any given Sunday, but the Falcons have the tools to win this game. I'll give Reid a big coaching advantage, he will have some great plays ready to go, and Johnson will have the Blitzes dialed up. I am not sold on the ability of the eagles to get it done without TO on offense. It worked against the Minny defense but Sunday will be a different story. McNabb will have to scramble a lot because Atlanta has a very talented front four. I see the Falcons giving the Eagles everything they can handle and might even win this out right.
Cheers
Irish
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