The Eagles playoff hopes are no doubt on life support and have been for weeks. On Sunday afternoon, the Birds will put their playoff lives on the line against the AFC East leading New England Patriots when they visit Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles have won back-to-back games only once in 2011 and for most of the season, their performances have been unimpressive. The Patriots however are only 2-2 in their last four games but are coming off of a Monday night shellacking of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Eagles will enter Sunday’s contest with question marks on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Michael Vick has yet to take a snap at practice this week while he tries to nurse two broken ribs on his throwing side. Jeremy Maclin also finds himself on the injury report for the second straight week with shoulder and hamstring problems.
With all the uncertainty surrounding the offense, this season’s defining game will come down to the Eagles defense. The Patriots’ offense features some of the biggest threats in the NFL. If the Eagles wish to successfully defend the Pats they will have to shut down New England’s top three weapons.
The Patriots offense starts and ends with perennial All-Pro and future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. Defenses that have had success against Brady this year and in years past are defenses that can get Brady off his ‘spot.’ What this means for the Eagles is they will need their defensive line rotation to get consistent pressure and collapse the pocket on the New England quarterback. The defense cannot afford to let Brady stand like a statue in one spot with time to find his receivers. Easier said than done.
Another player that the Eagles must keep an eye on at all times is emerging superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski. So far this season Gronkowski has caught 56 passes for 805 yards and 10 TDs. There have only been two teams this season that have held Gronkowski under 70 yards receiving. Covering the tight end for the Birds in recent years has been a nightmare to put it nicely. If the Eagles defense tries to put a linebacker on him or tries to get to cute in disguising coverage Gronkowski will kill them.
Gronkowski’s effectiveness is enhanced by the presence of fellow young tight Aaron Hernandez. You can try to eliminate one of these big athletic tight ends, but if you double one of them, the other one can take you apart. They both have a tremendous size, route-running ability and tremendous hands.
The Eagles must also keep their eyes on crafty veteran Wes Welker. Welker has proven to be one of Brady’s favorite targets for several seasons. 
Welker plays huge role on 3rd downs for the Patriots so if the Eagles can somewhat contain Welker there is a good chance that it will result in the Birds D getting off the field.
This is a winnable game for the disappointing 4-7 Eagles. However they will need to play error free ball and dominate on defense, two aspects of the game which the Birds have struggled at greatly on this year.
Ha! Good one Tim. Thanks for the laugh. I can’t believe there is one hopeful person for this team. Have you all lost your minds?
NNAMDI ASOMUGHA WAS CARTED OFF THE FIELD AT PRACTICE TODAY. I HAVE NO IDEA THE SEVERITY OF HIS INJURY.. SMH. THIS IS NOT GOOD GUYS
ALL I KNOW IS THAT ITS A KNEE INJURY