The Eagles are going to be up against it this weekend when they host the New England Patriots. The Patriots have a potent offense, which is very difficult to totally shut down and the Birds will probably play this game without two of their most potent offensive weapons.
Michael Vick is probably going to miss this one, so Vince Young is likely to start. Although everybody emphasizes the fact that he led the Birds to a big win over the Giants, it was not a top level quarterback or offensive performance. Seventeen points isn’t likely to get the job done on Sunday at 4:15pm at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles top receiver Jeremy Maclin hasn’t practiced as of yet and will probably miss Sunday afternoon contest as well. He told me he’s not going to try to rush back from his shoulder and hamstring injury and jeopardize the rest of the season. Maclin says he could play with the shoulder injury, but the hamstring is something which makes him take his time coming back.
The Birds must have a much improved performance by Young and their defense. He’s got to help the Birds put more than 17 points on the board. I would say that they Eagles need to score at least 24 to 31 points to have any chance. Young must also avoid turning the ball over. If he plays the way he did against the Giants, the Birds are doomed.
Turning the ball over is unacceptable. They must make the Pats drive for any scores.
Young has to get the ball deep to DeSean Jackson when the opportunity presents itself. He has to be sharp in reading the defenses and getting the passing attack going. LeSean McCoy needs to have a big game running the ball and these guys have to get the ball into the end zone when they get in the red zone.
The defensive line must pressure and hit Tom Brady if the Birds are to have any chance. The goal of the linebackers and defensive backs take away Brady’s first option in order to force him to pull the ball down. He’s not as effective when he pulls the ball down and is thrown off of rhythm.
Defensive ends Trent Cole, Jason Babin, Darryl Tapp and Juqua Parker must play great and get hits on Brady. Mike Patterson, Cullen Jenkins, Trevor Laws and Derek Landri are more important than the ends because a good rush by the defensive tackles will force Brady off of his spot. You can’t allow this guy to set his feet and throw the ball on time. He must be forced to move and reset his feet.
I expect the Patriots to go to the no-huddle offense to tired out the defensive line. Somebody must step up and make a play, of New England goes in that direction.
This won’t be an easy job to say the least.
the only way we can win this game is if steve melzer thinks the patriots are a stone cold lock.