Rastak
09-08-2007, 06:38 AM
Why To Watch
Is this Brett Favre's final season? If it is, that alone is reason to watch. But other than that, this looks like a bit of a mismatch. The Eagles are hoping to return to the playoffs for another run at the Super Bowl while Green Bay is trying to get back into the playoffs after a two-year hiatus. The Eagles appear to be strong on both sides of the ball. The Packers are showing signs of improvement on defense and are always dangerous on the offensive side while Favre is playing.
When the Eagles have the ball
Rushing: The Eagles have a potent run attack, but it is based on their ability to throw the ball effectively. With nearly everyone back from a group that finished fifth in the league at 4.8 yards per carry, the Eagles should be able to continue to pound the ball on the ground well this season. Stopping a massive offensive line opening holes for a darting, scatback like Brian Westbrook can be a pretty daunting task for any defense. Even though Westbrook is considered more of a cutback type that is dangerous on the outside, he actually gets a lot of his yards up the middle on draws and dive plays. Green Bay has developed a stout defense that relies on five players all seeing action on the inside with defensive ends Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins doing a good job of protecting the outside. If the front four do their job and keep the blockers off of the second level linebackers, then A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett will be free to do what they do best -- run and make plays. Last year, the Packers were 13th against the run, holding opponents to a little over 114 yards per game. They have the potential to improve on that ranking this season and will find out just how good they can be against Philadelphia.
Passing: QB Donovan McNabb is always dangerous in the passing game, as long as he can stay healthy. That can be an issue as he's started just 19 games in the past two years. Still, McNabb knows the system and does a great job of distributing the ball to everyone, from the running backs to the tight ends to the wide receivers. There is a reason that Philadelphia was third in the league with a total of 4,119 yards through the air and 7.2 yards per attempt. Their 13.3 yards per catch shows that they are throwing downfield, not just dumping the ball off or throwing screens so it's obvious they are capable of big passing plays. The Eagles also do a good job of protecting their QB as well as avoiding interceptions. Green Bay, on the other hand, managed to come up with 46 sacks last year so it can get upfield and pressure the quarterback. Their two showcase linebackers, Hawk and Barnett, are very athletic and can be dangerous in coverage. Cornerbacks Al Harris and Rod Woodson are both shutdown types that have the size and speed to cover man-to-man. If Green Bay has a weakness it would be at the safety spot where neither Aaron Rouse nor Nick Collins does a lot to stand out. Expect McNabb and the Eagle receivers to attack the middle with a lot of post and slant patterns.
When the Packers have the ball
Rushing: The Packers lost 1,000 yard runner Ahman Green to the Houston Texans and hope to make up for it with a combination of Vernand Morency and second-round pick Brandon Jackson. Both are compact runners that are one-cut-and-head-upfield types that need the blocking to be there in order to be successful. Neither one of these guys is going to scare many defensive coordinators. The offensive line is built to protect the franchise (read: Favre) more than create run lanes and it could end up being a long afternoon for the run game. Philadelphia has a pair of fireplugs in defensive tackles Brodrick Bunkley (who will be starting for the first time) and Mike Patterson. Both are tough to push around. Ten-year veteran LB Takeo Spikes, who is on the downside of his career, is going to be leading two second-year linebackers -- Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong -- who have a lot to prove. After dropping to 27th against the run, the Eagles felt like they needed to make some changes and this unit will be a big unknown in the early part of the season. One thing you can count on is defensive coordinator Jim Johnson sending a lot of blitzes and stunts to try and keep the Packers offense off balance.
Passing: Favre always gives the Packers a chance. He still has some magic in his arm and inside his head. He has the ability to will his receivers into making plays that they normally would not be able to make. That being said, he is definitely on the downside of his career and simply can't do as many things as he used to do. WR Donald Driver is his favorite target and is still a legitimate downfield threat. He had double the amount of receptions (92) than the second leading receiver last season. Favre will distribute the ball when he can, but he just does not have that many legitimate targets. Even though Johnson likes to blitz his linebackers a lot, Philadelphia gets most of his sack production from their defensive ends. Although none of the ends are pass rush demons, they can be effective and last season, the Eagles posted 40 sacks, which was eighth in the league. Corners Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard, who posted six INTs last season, are a quality pair. Free safety Brian Dawkins can cover a lot of field and is a good ballhawk while strong safety Sean Considine's strength is against the run.
Special Teams
Neither team has a dominating special teams unit. Philadelphia's punter, Saverio Rocca is a rookie and was found playing Australian rules football, so he is pretty much an unknown, unlike veteran kicker David Akers, who has proven his worth time and again for the Eagles. Green Bay will be breaking in a new kicker in sixth-round pick Mason Crosby, out of Colorado, but will have second-year punter John Ryan back and he appears to be punting better than ever. If there is an advantage for one team, it would lie with Packers punt returner Charles Woodson. Although he is getting on in years, he still averaged a respectable 8.9 yards per return last year and is always a threat to score.
Can the Eagles go deep against one of the most improved defenses in the NFC?
The Eagles had one of the most explosive passing games in the NFL last year with eight players catching at least one pass of over 45 yards. They have all of those players back with the exception of Donte' Stallworth. He has been replaced by Kevin Curtis, who excels on inside routes and should see a lot of balls thrown down the middle underneath the safeties. In order to throw the ball deep they must have protection for oft-injured QB Donovan McNabb. The offensive line is massive and plays smart, but it takes a long time for the deep passes to develop. They are not the most physically talented line but they know how to form a pocket and are devoted to keeping McNabb healthy.
The Packers are an up-and-coming defensive group that does a good job of getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, especially off the edge with DE Aaron Kampman, who posted 15.5 sacks last season. The Eagles are going to need to chip either their TE or RB to Kampman's side to help slow him down, as well as show a strong running game early to slow the pass rush down.
How well did the Eagles revamp their defense?
The Eagles are hoping that second-year defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley steps up his play this year after a disappointing rookie season. They were also disappointed in their linebacker play and now have two new starting outside linebackers in Takeo Spikes and Chris Gocong. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson likes to send his linebackers from all directions on blitzes and put pressure on the offense to try and recognize his packages. In order for the linebackers to be successful they need the front four to shoot gaps, penetrate and cause the offensive line to worry about where the pressure is going to come from. Fortunately for Green Bay and QB Brett Favre they have a relatively experienced offensive line that knows where Favre likes to set up and how to form a solid pocket. Favre is one of the best at recognizing stunts and blitzes and can check off into quick dump passes that will negate a high-pressure defense. If Green Bay is able to find some success on the ground it will force Johnson to keep his linebackers at home more than he'd like.
Does Brett Favre have one more magical season left in him?
Favre has been one of the most electric quarterbacks in the NFL in the past 20 years and has an uncanny ability to turn what looks like a disaster into a big play. He never had a lot of speed or the ability to scramble, but he has a clock in his head that tells him when he needs to get rid of the ball. He recognizes coverages and knows how to attack them. Unfortunately, he does not have many weapons to go after a pressure defense like Philadelphia. Wide receiver Donald Driver is his favorite target, but after that there is a huge drop off. If the Eagles are able to supply pressure on Favre, especially from the backside, Favre will have to look to one of his other receivers to come up with a quick catch. There is no coverage or package that Favre has not seen but if the Eagles can disguise their blitzes and stunts well enough he won't know when they are coming, which can be just as devastating. Favre lives for competition and starting off against one of the NFC's best teams will provide a good barometer as to just what kind of chance the Packers have of returning to the playoffs.
Scouts' Edge
The Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
With this likely being Favre's last season there will be a lot of excitement in Green Bay, especially early on. The crowd will be behind Favre and make it difficult for Philadelphia to time and disguise its blitzes. The Eagles will try to take away Favre's favorite weapon, Driver, and force the Packers to move the ball with their other skill players. This will play into Philadelphia's hands because once you get past Driver, Favre does not have many weapons. The Eagles meanwhile will be looking for their skill players to continue the trend of making explosive plays where they can stretch the secondary and keep things loose. If the Packers' defense is not able to provide enough pressure to force McNabb into bad throws it will end up being a long day for Green Bay and a poor way to start the season.
Prediction: Eagles 20, Packers 14
Is this Brett Favre's final season? If it is, that alone is reason to watch. But other than that, this looks like a bit of a mismatch. The Eagles are hoping to return to the playoffs for another run at the Super Bowl while Green Bay is trying to get back into the playoffs after a two-year hiatus. The Eagles appear to be strong on both sides of the ball. The Packers are showing signs of improvement on defense and are always dangerous on the offensive side while Favre is playing.
When the Eagles have the ball
Rushing: The Eagles have a potent run attack, but it is based on their ability to throw the ball effectively. With nearly everyone back from a group that finished fifth in the league at 4.8 yards per carry, the Eagles should be able to continue to pound the ball on the ground well this season. Stopping a massive offensive line opening holes for a darting, scatback like Brian Westbrook can be a pretty daunting task for any defense. Even though Westbrook is considered more of a cutback type that is dangerous on the outside, he actually gets a lot of his yards up the middle on draws and dive plays. Green Bay has developed a stout defense that relies on five players all seeing action on the inside with defensive ends Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins doing a good job of protecting the outside. If the front four do their job and keep the blockers off of the second level linebackers, then A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett will be free to do what they do best -- run and make plays. Last year, the Packers were 13th against the run, holding opponents to a little over 114 yards per game. They have the potential to improve on that ranking this season and will find out just how good they can be against Philadelphia.
Passing: QB Donovan McNabb is always dangerous in the passing game, as long as he can stay healthy. That can be an issue as he's started just 19 games in the past two years. Still, McNabb knows the system and does a great job of distributing the ball to everyone, from the running backs to the tight ends to the wide receivers. There is a reason that Philadelphia was third in the league with a total of 4,119 yards through the air and 7.2 yards per attempt. Their 13.3 yards per catch shows that they are throwing downfield, not just dumping the ball off or throwing screens so it's obvious they are capable of big passing plays. The Eagles also do a good job of protecting their QB as well as avoiding interceptions. Green Bay, on the other hand, managed to come up with 46 sacks last year so it can get upfield and pressure the quarterback. Their two showcase linebackers, Hawk and Barnett, are very athletic and can be dangerous in coverage. Cornerbacks Al Harris and Rod Woodson are both shutdown types that have the size and speed to cover man-to-man. If Green Bay has a weakness it would be at the safety spot where neither Aaron Rouse nor Nick Collins does a lot to stand out. Expect McNabb and the Eagle receivers to attack the middle with a lot of post and slant patterns.
When the Packers have the ball
Rushing: The Packers lost 1,000 yard runner Ahman Green to the Houston Texans and hope to make up for it with a combination of Vernand Morency and second-round pick Brandon Jackson. Both are compact runners that are one-cut-and-head-upfield types that need the blocking to be there in order to be successful. Neither one of these guys is going to scare many defensive coordinators. The offensive line is built to protect the franchise (read: Favre) more than create run lanes and it could end up being a long afternoon for the run game. Philadelphia has a pair of fireplugs in defensive tackles Brodrick Bunkley (who will be starting for the first time) and Mike Patterson. Both are tough to push around. Ten-year veteran LB Takeo Spikes, who is on the downside of his career, is going to be leading two second-year linebackers -- Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong -- who have a lot to prove. After dropping to 27th against the run, the Eagles felt like they needed to make some changes and this unit will be a big unknown in the early part of the season. One thing you can count on is defensive coordinator Jim Johnson sending a lot of blitzes and stunts to try and keep the Packers offense off balance.
Passing: Favre always gives the Packers a chance. He still has some magic in his arm and inside his head. He has the ability to will his receivers into making plays that they normally would not be able to make. That being said, he is definitely on the downside of his career and simply can't do as many things as he used to do. WR Donald Driver is his favorite target and is still a legitimate downfield threat. He had double the amount of receptions (92) than the second leading receiver last season. Favre will distribute the ball when he can, but he just does not have that many legitimate targets. Even though Johnson likes to blitz his linebackers a lot, Philadelphia gets most of his sack production from their defensive ends. Although none of the ends are pass rush demons, they can be effective and last season, the Eagles posted 40 sacks, which was eighth in the league. Corners Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard, who posted six INTs last season, are a quality pair. Free safety Brian Dawkins can cover a lot of field and is a good ballhawk while strong safety Sean Considine's strength is against the run.
Special Teams
Neither team has a dominating special teams unit. Philadelphia's punter, Saverio Rocca is a rookie and was found playing Australian rules football, so he is pretty much an unknown, unlike veteran kicker David Akers, who has proven his worth time and again for the Eagles. Green Bay will be breaking in a new kicker in sixth-round pick Mason Crosby, out of Colorado, but will have second-year punter John Ryan back and he appears to be punting better than ever. If there is an advantage for one team, it would lie with Packers punt returner Charles Woodson. Although he is getting on in years, he still averaged a respectable 8.9 yards per return last year and is always a threat to score.
Can the Eagles go deep against one of the most improved defenses in the NFC?
The Eagles had one of the most explosive passing games in the NFL last year with eight players catching at least one pass of over 45 yards. They have all of those players back with the exception of Donte' Stallworth. He has been replaced by Kevin Curtis, who excels on inside routes and should see a lot of balls thrown down the middle underneath the safeties. In order to throw the ball deep they must have protection for oft-injured QB Donovan McNabb. The offensive line is massive and plays smart, but it takes a long time for the deep passes to develop. They are not the most physically talented line but they know how to form a pocket and are devoted to keeping McNabb healthy.
The Packers are an up-and-coming defensive group that does a good job of getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, especially off the edge with DE Aaron Kampman, who posted 15.5 sacks last season. The Eagles are going to need to chip either their TE or RB to Kampman's side to help slow him down, as well as show a strong running game early to slow the pass rush down.
How well did the Eagles revamp their defense?
The Eagles are hoping that second-year defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley steps up his play this year after a disappointing rookie season. They were also disappointed in their linebacker play and now have two new starting outside linebackers in Takeo Spikes and Chris Gocong. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson likes to send his linebackers from all directions on blitzes and put pressure on the offense to try and recognize his packages. In order for the linebackers to be successful they need the front four to shoot gaps, penetrate and cause the offensive line to worry about where the pressure is going to come from. Fortunately for Green Bay and QB Brett Favre they have a relatively experienced offensive line that knows where Favre likes to set up and how to form a solid pocket. Favre is one of the best at recognizing stunts and blitzes and can check off into quick dump passes that will negate a high-pressure defense. If Green Bay is able to find some success on the ground it will force Johnson to keep his linebackers at home more than he'd like.
Does Brett Favre have one more magical season left in him?
Favre has been one of the most electric quarterbacks in the NFL in the past 20 years and has an uncanny ability to turn what looks like a disaster into a big play. He never had a lot of speed or the ability to scramble, but he has a clock in his head that tells him when he needs to get rid of the ball. He recognizes coverages and knows how to attack them. Unfortunately, he does not have many weapons to go after a pressure defense like Philadelphia. Wide receiver Donald Driver is his favorite target, but after that there is a huge drop off. If the Eagles are able to supply pressure on Favre, especially from the backside, Favre will have to look to one of his other receivers to come up with a quick catch. There is no coverage or package that Favre has not seen but if the Eagles can disguise their blitzes and stunts well enough he won't know when they are coming, which can be just as devastating. Favre lives for competition and starting off against one of the NFC's best teams will provide a good barometer as to just what kind of chance the Packers have of returning to the playoffs.
Scouts' Edge
The Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
With this likely being Favre's last season there will be a lot of excitement in Green Bay, especially early on. The crowd will be behind Favre and make it difficult for Philadelphia to time and disguise its blitzes. The Eagles will try to take away Favre's favorite weapon, Driver, and force the Packers to move the ball with their other skill players. This will play into Philadelphia's hands because once you get past Driver, Favre does not have many weapons. The Eagles meanwhile will be looking for their skill players to continue the trend of making explosive plays where they can stretch the secondary and keep things loose. If the Packers' defense is not able to provide enough pressure to force McNabb into bad throws it will end up being a long day for Green Bay and a poor way to start the season.
Prediction: Eagles 20, Packers 14