The Eagles defense which did an outstanding job of battling the high-powered Patriots must show up with the same intensity against the Seahawks. The won't be 23 point underdogs but they must show up with the same emotion.
The defensive line must win the battle upfront or the sledding will tough for the Birds, because the Seahawks are sure to run the football more often with the return of star running back Shaun Alexander.
I expect the Hawks to attack the right side of the Eagles defense with their running game. The Walter Jones matchup with Trent Cole is very one-sided when it comes to size. Jones weighs well over 330 pounds and is much stronger the smaller Cole who weighs on 260. I think they’re going to take some of the load of the offense off the back of Hasselbeck and put it on Alexander. If the Seahawks running game, gets going, then look out.
The Eagles defenders should be familiar with the offense because it’s the one they see every day. Seattle head Mike Holmgren was Andy Reid’s football father and taught him the west coast offense which the Eagles employ. Jim Johnson and company will have to get some pressure in Hasselbeck’s face with blitzes and the four-man pass rush because he’s going to get rid of the football. Hasselbeck is prone to making mistakes when pressured. The Birds are desperately in need of turnovers because they’re dead last in the league in that area.
The objective will be taking him out of his rhythm by covering his favorite receiver Bobby Engram. I could see the Eagles matching up Sheldon Brown on Engram in the slot. Brown is physical and may be able to shut down the former Nittany Lion wide receiver. Deion Branch is the guy who’s most capable of getting deep, so the safeties, Brian Dawkins and J.R. Reed have to be aware of where he lines up.
