Now That We're In...I Have A Few Quandaries
by jaws1385 on Dec 20, 2009 10:57 PM EST
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First, let me say that I'm thrilled that the Birds are headed for their 8th playoffs berth in 11 years under Andy Reid. Now that we've got that sorted out, there are a few questions I have regarding the remainder of the regular season and the impending playoff matchups.
1. CAN THE EAGLES DEVELOP CONSISTENCY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL?
A win is a win, especially when it clinches a plyoff berth, but this one was far from perfect. The defense was once again suspect as San Francisco running back Frank Gore eclipsed 100 yards on the ground, the first time in 24 games that an opposing RB has done so against the Eagles. Penalties on both offense and defense were a problem (we're currently the 2nd-most-penalized team in the NFL), and at times the offensive line was shaky. At times, Donovan McNabb was having trouble seeing open receivers, threw two ugly interceptions, and had some accuracy issues. That being said, the effort from both units was by no means deficient. McNabb amassed over 300 yards passing, with 140 of them going to miracle worker DeSean Jackson. The running game racked up 116 yards and a touchdown, and Brent Celek once again had a strong outing with 73 yards. The defense forced 4 turnovers (1 fumble recovery, 3 ints), and harassed San Francisco QB Alex Smith all afternoon. Now that we have made it into the playoffs, I have to wonder what it will take to become consistent on both sides of the ball. Moose Johnson brought up a good point today: occasionally the Eagles will fall into a sort of lull during games, when the defense is porous and the offense can't sustain drives. We saw the beginnings of that in the 2nd half today, but luckily both units recovered and secured the win. We're going to have some stiff competition in the playoffs, and consistency will be essential to advancing. Teams like New Orleans and Minnesota won't let us get away with much, and I get the feeling that at least one of these two teams will be in the NFC title game. Both units have to tighten up a little and focus, starting now.
2. NOW THAT WE'RE IN, DOES THE DIVISION TITLE MATTER OR SHOULD WE REST OUR STARTERS?
If someone else was running away with the NFC East, I'd say rest the boys, but Dallas is only a game behind and if they end up taking the crown, that means they'll have home-field advantage in the first round. Can you imagine if we had to play them two games in a row in that awful place? No spank you. In this case, the Eagles should play every man-jack of their starting lineup in order to secure home-field advantage. Dallas and our other remaining opponent, Denver, are dangerous teams. Throwing in the towel now by resting starters sends the wrong message, and robs us of a valuable playoff advantage. The team needs to play even harder in the final two games.
3. WHO WILL WE FACE IN JANUARY?
As it so stands, the Saints and the Vikings are the 1st and 2nd seeds. The Eagles' chances for a division crown will probably see through to the final game in Dallas. If they defeat the Broncos and the Cowboys, they wind up at 12-4, which will probably be good enough for a third-seed placing going in (I have them losing to Denver and beating Dallas, so we'll be 11-5 in that scenario). Arizona clinched their division with a win and San Francisco's loss. They're 9-5 with the moribund Rams and the dangerous Packers remaining on the schedule...I have them beating the Rams and losing to the Pack, bringing them to 10-6 on the season and the fourth seed. The wild card teams, Dallas and Green Bay, are both 9-5. The Cowgirls have Washington and us remaining, and the Packers have Seattle and the Cardinals. In Dallas' case, I think they will go 10-6 and make it in. The Pack could go either 10-6 or 11-5, but either way they will clinch. The Giants, basically the only other NFC team in the hunt, are 7-6 with Washington, Carolina, and Minnesota remaining. I simply don't see them going undefeated here. They'll miss the playoffs at 9-7. So, by my reckoning, the NFC playoff picture will be thus:
1ST ROUND:
PHI VS. DAL @ PHI - PHI WINS
ARI VS. GB @ ARI - GB WINS
BYE: NO, MIN
Obviously, the peculiar thing about these matchups is that they are exactly the same as the week 17 matchups for all four teams. Should make for some interesting viewing.
2ND ROUND:
PHI VS. NO @ NO - PHI WINS
GB VS. MIN @ MIN - MIN WINS
Holy crap, Brett Favre versus his old team in the playoffs?!?! ESPN will be creaming themselves!! Oh yeah, the Eagles beat a tired Saints team too.
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
PHI VS. MIN @ MIN - PHI WINS
What the hell, might not happen, but there's just something about this Iggles squad that gives me chills.
The questions have been asked...now how far off base will my answers be? What are your thoughts, Philly Phaithful?
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Good post overall.
Consistency is key.
Fight for homefield advantage.
But honestly, without a consistent defense in particular, I can not see the Eagles going far into the post season. I hope they start pulling everything together and playing like a top defense, but there are too many holes to cover. And if we go by your scenario, it would be hard to stop any of the opposing teams offenses unless we can miraculously start playing some good hard hitting football.
by worldphuckinchamps on Dec 20, 2009 11:14 PM EST reply actions
Saints Tired after a Bye?
I hope your right…but why would the saints be “tired” after a bye week?
I think they are completely overrated but we will see if they can rebound after the loss saturday…either way..they definetly wont be tired after having rested for a week (maybe they wont be able to “get up” and excited for the game, but definetly not tired)
We Just Need To Win Out
We have a chance @ a first round bye……..Rest NOONE!! and Ill take an ugly Win Anyday Lets Just Get ready for a good Bronco Team who is also fighting for Position.
Yeah if we win out
And Minny loses at least once(they get Chicago at Soldier Field and teh Giants at home, neither of which are gimmes) we get a first round bye
here are my answers...
#1: the eagles have actually played some consistant football the past few weeks, we have some mental lapses every once in a while but you have to understand we have a makeshift Defense out there… I think we get some pretty good consistancy out there, Asante, Sheldon, Bunk and the other vets on the D will whip them into shape… As for the offense we need to maintain the balance in the pass and run, we’ve been doing alot better when we’ve been running the ball a little bit.
#2: No fucking way we rest the starters and just let someone overtake us. If the Vikings lose 1 more game and we win out then we get the #2 seed meaning we get a bye week.. No way, we now have something else to fight for and I say we take it.
#3: I dont care for predictions at this point, there unlucky and I will just stick to wearing my Lucky hat…
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
i think...
that in your scenario, philly would be ahead of green bay so they would play in minnesota, not new orleans in the second round, if im not mistaken, because the higher seed would face the lower see b/t green bay and philly?
Minnesota is more than capable of losing another game
Which gives us the 2 seed, so long as we win out.
This is why i think we need to root for the Giants tonight
We want them to be playing for their lives in week 17
Where is that game Minnesota?
Desean Jackson... "If He's even, He's leavin"
First Round Bye
Eagles win a first round bye with two wins and a Vikings loss, or one win and two Vikings losses. Got to keep playing.
There is no scenario of wins and losses next week where we either clinch the division title (and thus a home game in the wild card round) and couldn’t still win the bye week.
If we lose, and the Cowboys win and Vikings win, Week 17 is for the division and the #3 seed.
If we lose, the Cowboys win, and the Vikings lose, Week 17 vs. Cowboys is for the division and a first round bye if the Vikings lose again.
If we win and the Cowboys lose and the Vikings lose, we win the division, and Week 17 vs. Cowboys is for a first round bye.
Only if Fox moves our Week 17 game to 4:15 and keeps Giants vs. Vikings @ 1:00 and the Vikings then lose, plus we win, Cowboys lose, and Vikings lose next week, could we know if we could rest our starters in Week 17 and let Kevin Kolb get some quality time with Reggie Brown, Kevin Curtis, Eldra Buckley, Alex Smith, a back-up O-line, and a bunch of defensive scrubs. I doubt the NFL gives us such a gift short of a blizzard in Philly that prevents the team from flying to Dallas on time on Saturday.
Actually
If the Vikings lose next week, it doesn’t matter what they do Week 17. If we win our next two playoff games, we get the no. 2 seed.
SORRY, GUYS
I just realized that I screwed u;p my 2nd round scenario…the Eagles, being the higher seed, would in fact play Minnesota instead of New Orleans, while the Packers would face the Saints. Gimme a break, my friends suggested we do shots after every Eagles touchdown yesterday. Jager is a cruel mistress.
Tony Romo...why so serious?
Dont be too quick to bash mcnabb on open receivers
Mcnabb doesn’t change the plays andy and marty give him, and when we play any team with a weak or injured secondary like SF Marty dials up bomb after bomb after bomb after…
point #2
is really dumb, rest the starters?!?! Not a scenerio worth mentioning.
My "t" and "y" buttons are messed up so don't bitch at me about misspelling, I'm just saying.
by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Dec 21, 2009 1:21 PM EST reply actions
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