…but this game all depends on what eagles team decides to show up. The chargers are definitely beatable, but I can say that about any team.

I’m a Boys fan..but you’ll have to forgive me that for this post.

     1. Home field advantage – This isn’t extremely overpowering at Qualcomm. It’s certainly a venue and Chargers fans show that even So Cal teams can have a rowdy fan base..but they are not a huge x-factor.

      2. Run Defense – The Eagles unfortunately look like they may not be able to capitalize on the weakest part of the Chargers team. They lost their Pro-bowl Nose tackle early on and they have really been hurt by inside runs all year. Their line backers are also sometimes undisciplined on gap responsibility and can really get gashed on draws and delays.

      3. Pass rush – Merriman is having a down year. He was battling a groin injury apparently this year but he still hasn’t required a double team too often this year. On the other side..J. Tucker/L. English have not lived up to their billing and have very rarely been able to capitalize on the rare Merriman Double team. The Eagles shouldn’t need to keep Celek or RBs in too often to keep McNabb standing.

     4. Pass Defense – Pretty decent.. not great, especially seems to have lost their Ball-hawking skills that they had a couple of seasons ago. Weddle is coming along at safety. This is a decent unit but certainly capable of being beaten up by a good speed guy or screens.

    5. O – line – very shaky. They have had injuries all over the line and are currently playing rookies and second stringers pretty regularly. While the fill ins have played admirably, they are very questionable against stunts, crosses, 2 blitzers.. a lot of things that Philly likes to do should be effective.

   6. Running game – nearly non existent. Neither LT nor Darren Sproles has been able to get anything consistent going as the line has done a poor job of making holes. The running game relies more on the cuts and spin moves of their running game than a fundamentally sound game plan. This should be no problem for the eagles..get used to lots of off tackle runs for 1 – 3 yds.

  7. Passing game – the most dangerous phase of the game. If you haven’t taken the time to watch Rivers in action..you’ll understand this week why you should be thanking Eli for demanding the trade that meant the NFC east didn’t have to play this guy twice a year. He has great accuracy and throws the deep bomb as well if not better than Drew Brees. He makes quick decisive reads and can really pick apart the seems of a zone. Vincent Jackson is the true number one and has some of the best hands going. Nene, Gates, and Malcom Floyd are all dangerous as well as Darren sproles coming out of the backfield.

  8. ST – Nate Kaeding is pretty automatic. Darren sproles is best suited as a punt returner and it is probably advisable to kick it away from him like the giants did. Mike Scifres is consistantly one of the top 3 punters in the league and he really helps the field position game.

 
 If Philly can get a good pass rush..I see them being able to cause turnovers and get points of the turnovers. Having westbrook back would help a lot and also using the FB who had a big game against the giants would probably be good for runs up the gut since that is the most glaring weakness of this San Diego Team.

Prediction …

      SD 21 Philly 31

Teams seem to have less trouble traveling west than traveling east.

Going west is 3 hours later game time than typical…which most teams get to see pretty regularly with night games.

Going east.. teams play 3 hours earlier than they’re used to and it seems to throw teams off

Whichever Eagles offense shows up will win or lose the game. Is it the one who cant score a TD vs OAK or put up 40 against the Gmen?

I know San Diego used to have an amazing secondary, but Jammer and Cromartie don’t seem to be great anymore

Jammer may be 30 but he’s still very good and Cromartie is only 25 and is also good. We have lots of speed but they have lots of size both are big corners.

Weddle is a great safety but is better suited against the run, but he can cover too. The biggest issue with San Diegos defense that I have seen is that there front was getting no push. They got through against the Giants and we need to make sure that doesn’t happen. Like all defenses you take away the front line and you can do damage.

I have to agree immynimmy the Chargers really have no say in who wins or loses this game it depends on which Eagles team decides to take the field.