7 of 9 experts on Bleacher Report expect the Vikings to beat the Eagles.
7 of 9 experts on Bleacher Report expect the Vikings to beat the Eagles.
I never ridiculed the defensive stats of the Eagles. Re-read my post. They have a very solid defense.
I took into consideration what you said though about week 17 not mattering. I took this into consideration even though in week 17, Nick Foles started and was a meager 4 for 11 passing with a pick and 39yds. He had a passer rating of 9.3 while he played. But I'll grant your wish and throw that game out.
I crunched the numbers once again. In the 3 games in which Nick Foles was the team's actual quarterback for the entire game, they averaged 297 total yards. Over the course of an entire season, this would give the Eagles the 29th best offense. What an improvement over my previous statement! The Eagles' offense is trash without Wentz leading the way.
Chip Kelly in 2014 got rid of Foles' best weapon WR Desean Jackson & the Offensive line was riddled with injuries. In Kelly's second season as HC, the rest of the league "figured out" his offensive scheme. In fact, opponents realized that Kelly's plays were basic and easily defensed. Hence, Foles production dropped drastically. Even the Eagles running game in 2014 was worse compared to 2013. Kelly had consolidated his power in the Eagles organization, had Howie Roseman stripped of his GM duties and then assumed total control of the roster. That turned out to be a disaster as the Eagles regressed further in 2015 and Kelly was fired, thank God. Kelly was a psycho, created many enemies in the front offic, got rid of many good players like Maclin and Shady McCoy, drafted poorly, sent Foles packing, brought in Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez, both were busts.
As for the Rams neither Keenum nor Foles were anything special. Then again, Jeff Fisher was also a defensive minded HC who never developed QB's under his watch. As for depth on the defense, the Eagles rotate their front 7 constantly throughout game. Their D-line players are always fresh.
My Eagles will have the crowd behind them in South Philly, perhaps YOU are really an Eagles fan just trolling the thread. Other than myself and perhaps one other guy, I can't believe that LR doesn't have more than two Eagles fans out there. Their lack of participation on this thread is shocking to me. It doesn't matter, though, the reality is this- the Vikings are still in daze from last weekend, then reality sets in quickly when their offense can't get into a rhythm with Keenum's protection breaking down, the Eagles in his face all night. The Vikings will have nightmares with the Rocky theme blaring through the loud speakers at the fans at the Linc singing the best fight song in the NFL- "Fly Eagles Fly"
The Eagles are going to the Super Bowl, baby!!
E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!!!!!
Thank you. I really, really enjoyed your post.
I am glad that you do not think it is all about the quarterback. In the past and still now when I tune into announcers-types on tv or you tube.com they often act like it's "Brees vs. Roethlesburger."
It's not and I know now that you understand this. Actually this thinking that it's all about the quarterback has bothered me since I was in college and YES that was about 40 years ago!
I used to admire Foles a bit when he threw the 7 tds. I wondered why he came into disfavor.
You have increased my understanding of his situation.
It'll be a battle of teams and certainly the home site is a factor in the game! But the Vikings have emotion and momentum on their side. I think every position is important and it's my hope that Foles cannot catch up to his prior strength fast enough to make the necessary difference.
(Remember that we had Bridgewater, Bradford, and Cook all go down when they were hot. I would not wish an ACL on anyone for any reason. Yet those thing are factors we cannot ignore. I do not feel sorry for the Eagles. Do you feel sorry for the Vikings?)
The Eagles lost 5 starters this season: Jason Peters (best LT in the NFL), Darren Sproles RB/KR, Caleb Sturgis K, Jordan Hicks LB and signal caller, Carson Wentz QB all-pro and MVP front runner.
I don't feel sorry for either team. Injuries happen in this sport and for the Eagles this season, it's always the "next man up" mentality. I'm giving our defensive front 7 an edge over the Vikings O-Line. With the Eagles opportunistic +11 turnover ratio this season, I expect the Birds to fully exploit this advantage tomorrow.
Born in the 856 wrote:
The Eagles lost 5 starters this season: Jason Peters (best LT in the NFL), Darren Sproles RB/KR, Caleb Sturgis K, Jordan Hicks LB and signal caller, Carson Wentz QB all-pro and MVP front runner.
I don't feel sorry for either team. Injuries happen in this sport and for the Eagles this season, it's always the "next man up" mentality. I'm giving our defensive front 7 an edge over the Vikings O-Line. With the Eagles opportunistic +11 turnover ratio this season, I expect the Birds to fully exploit this advantage tomorrow.
You hit it well. Our offensive line although much improved over last year has struggled because of injuries again this year. However they are a resilient bunch not like last year. One game I believe all five of them played a different position than they had played all year and yet they were able to win.
I did enjoy some Houston Texans highlights from when Case Keenum was there. Ironically he looked the same as most of his good plays came from out of the pocket. As I recall when Case was there the Texans had a more formidable team than they had this year.
It's nice that we won the North Division. It's nice that we came up with a "miracle," play to win a playoff game. However many Vikings still should have huge chips on their shoulders as they were not drafted or in some cases drafted very low. I keep being reminded of Keenum and Theilen who were not drafted! Diggs was a 5th rounder. But there are many others on the Vikings too. Our GM Rick "Hollywood" Spielman likes to trade high picks and get multiple low ones. He may well be getting some credit for doing that this year on the podium after the game.
Alright, we're 24 hours out. Let's stop throwing out meaningless stats from years past and post our predictions. I like Vikes 20-17. They will either hit a game winning fg in regulation, or miss that kick and kick the winner in OT.
Eagles 20, Vikings 10
I’m a typical cynical Eagles fan but think this game sets up about as well for the Eagles as possible. Overall the Vikings D is superior, but I expect the Eagles D Line to play out of their minds and with home field, I expect the Eagles to get the better defensive performance tomorrow. Eagles get more productivity than expected in the running game against a Minnesota run defense that is significantly worse on the road, Nick Foles plays ok, the Minnesota secondary drops two easy picks, the Eagles take the lead early and hold it all game.
The Eagles were -2 in turnovers against the Falcons and still won the game.
That is rare.
If they they are +1 or better, they should cruise to a home win.
Turnovers and big plays will determine who wins the game of an even match-up.
No other analysis is needed.
The Falcons field goal came after the Eagles fumbled while they were in field goal range, then they marched down field for their first three points.
The Falcons scored their only TD after a muffed punt set them up inside the 20 and then a terrible personal foul against the Eagles followed by a defensive holding put the Falcons near the goal line.
They never scored again.
Foles got better as they game progressed and he managed them to the game winning points.
Every game is just getting him more reps and more comfortable with this offense.
He hasn't connected on a big pass but he will. The big downfield pass is coming.
The Eagles have a lot offensive weapons.
Jeffrey can make possession catches or catch 50-50 balls.
Agholor can make plays all over the field or run reverses.
Ertz at TE can give linebackers fits and draw them away from the running backs.
Ajayi can be explosive on runs or screens.
Blount can pound them up the middle.
Their line is solid.
Their kicker has made several kicks over 50 yards and hit a 61 yarder.
Their punter is a solid veteran.
Barner is a good return man.
The Eagles are good at every position.
It appears every time a team with a dome as their home stadium is forced to play on the road outdoors for either AFC or NFC Championship, dome team has lost. If someone reviews this statistic please know the Houston Oilers used to play in the Astrodome and the Seattle Seahawks in the 1970s and 1980s were an AFC team. Seahawks used to play in the Kingdome. Peyton Manning's Colts never beat the Patriots on the road for AFC Championship games. Weren't the Minnesota Vikings favored in their January, 2001 NFC Championship game in New Jersey versus the Giants?
Yes the Eagles are good at every position, except the defensive secondary where they are amongst the worst in the league. There are weaknesses in their offensive line as well. Alshon Jeffery was with the Bears. You have to assume that they had some solid reasons for getting rid of him because the Bears do not have good receivers!
I would never say that the Vikings are solid at every position. However each unit is above average for the NFL. That and great coaching is all you need. I do not think holding the clipboard for Favre automatically makes you a good coach. Pederson is young and his staff is not special. It is an offensive dominated crew.
If defense and teams win playoff games it should be an easy win for the Vikings.
Sparky polastry wrote:
Eagles 20, Vikings 10
I’m a typical cynical Eagles fan but think this game sets up about as well for the Eagles as possible. Overall the Vikings D is superior, but I expect the Eagles D Line to play out of their minds and with home field, I expect the Eagles to get the better defensive performance tomorrow. Eagles get more productivity than expected in the running game against a Minnesota run defense that is significantly worse on the road, Nick Foles plays ok, the Minnesota secondary drops two easy picks, the Eagles take the lead early and hold it all game.
Are you trying to say that the NFC playoff game is a road game for Philadelphia? Stop keeping us in suspense.
Bleacher Report wrote:
7 of 9 experts on Bleacher Report expect the Vikings to beat the Eagles.
This might matter.
Mills and Darby are very solid cornerbacks for the Eagles.
Most of the yards and even points given up through the air on the year were because the Eagles played with large leads throughout the season and their opponents passed to play catch up.
They werent great against the Rams or Giants in close games, though. They bit on double moves.
But they have been shutdown the last three games.
The Bears didn't get rid of Alshon Jeffrey, he left them through free agency.
And he's been a playmaker and good teammate.
The Dolphins traded Ajayi to the Eagles because of personality issues but he also has been an unselfish teammate on the Eagles.
The Vikings and Eagles are very similar teams.
Should be a good game.
The hot team usually wins in the playoffs even if the game is on the road. Clearly the Vikings offense is hotter than the Eagles. The defense was hot in the first half but they let them off the hook in the second half. I'm not sure where the Eagles are on special teams but the Vikings are doing well except for one blocked kick. #35 is a player you should watch for the Vikings. Marcus Sherels plays on all specialty teams and uses quickness and guts to always be around the ball.
Coaching is a factor and Mike Zimmer has been with the Vikings longer. Do not forget that the Vikings were 5-0 last year until injuries got the best of them. As a team they have been on the edge before.
It will only be a close game if the Vikings do not get a fast start.
Star wrote:
The Eagles will not be favored to win a single playoff game.
If that's holds, the Vikings will play every playoff game at home, including the Super Bowl.
Star registered said the above. It should concern you that the Vikings are favored to win a playoff game on the road!
TheNFLisUnderPressure wrote:
Face it non-Viking fans the NFL is under pressure by a team that is well-rounded but has
very few stars. They are as hungry as a band of warriors who have traveled thousands of
miles and have rarely eaten well that entire time. They are cold and they are hungry.
They have nothing to lose and everything to gain. They will gamble their lives to win what is
theirs.
If you really, really think about it there is no way they can lose!
This is true. Some have admitted that the Eagles have players who have already won
the Super Bowl. There is no reason for them to be hungry!
Mike Zimmer's Wikipedia says this about his time with the Dallas Cowboys:
"He joined the Dallas Cowboys in 1994 as an assistant coach of the nickel defense under Barry Switzer. He was promoted to defensive backs coach in 1995 and served in that capacity before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2000. The 2003 Dallas Cowboys defense gave up the fewest yards in the NFL while running an aggressive, speedy 4-3 defense. Despite the Cowboys' problems over the years, Zimmer survived several coaching changes (Switzer, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, Bill Parcells) and was rumored to have been a candidate for the head coaching job at the University of Nebraska (circa 2003). In 2005, he implemented the 3-4 defense favored by head coach Bill Parcells, although Zimmer had no prior experience with it."
Zimmer, the leader of the rebel gang from the north, has proven adaptable in almost any situation.
He also has listened to many great coaches and has experience with many schemes. Rumor has it that he talks to Bill Parcells almost daily! Bud Grant is handy. Etc.
Zimmer started his playing career as a quarterback but because of an injury he had to switch to linebacker. He was coaching a long time before 1994 and his dad was a long time coach. I think he
wants this win. The Vikings players buy in and they have had consistent coaching since 2011. Pederson had been the HC for the Eagles since 2015. Pedereson's pedigree does not come close to
comparing to the many years Zimmer has been in the NFL.
Herman's Hermits wrote:
Bleacher Report wrote:
7 of 9 experts on Bleacher Report expect the Vikings to beat the Eagles.
This might matter.
I wonder how many of these same so-called "experts" picked the Falcons to beat the Eagles last week? Pretty sure it was at least 6 out of 9.
My prediction:
Eagles 24
Vikings 20*
*Adam Thielen is playing with a back injury. If he's not playing well or leaves the game early, then the Vikings score is 16.