The Eagles have surprisingly landed in the playoffs, and now what do they have to do to beat the Vikings? For the seventh time in 10 seasons with Andy Reid as the head coach, the Eagles are in the post-season. This time, they open as the No. 6 seed in the NFC and take to the road to play the 10-6 Vikings in Minnesota. Philadelphia will be tested in a hostile environment by a physical team that features superstar running back Adrian Peterson and Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen. The Eagles must get off to a good start in a hostile environment. Donovan McNabb and Co., coming off the 44-6 blowout win over Dallas, look to stay balanced offensively and establish enough of a running game to keep the Vikings honest, and then attack Minnesota’s secondary with quick, darting routes in the passing game.
Minnesota’s offense revolves around Peterson, who led the NFL with 1,760 rushing yards in 2008. Peterson combines a rare blend of speed, power, moves and aggressiveness. Only in his second season, Peterson is already the best running back in the league. He is a threat to score any time he touches the football. Minnesota revolves its offense around Peterson, but the Vikings also have good receivers and a touchdown threat in tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Philadelphia's defense is in (knock on wood) excellent shape entering the playoffs and the truth is that the Eagles will go as far in the playoffs as the defense takes them. With a resurgent Brian Dawkins fresh off earning his second NFC Defensive Player of the Month Award for December in three seasons, and with the secondary at the top of its game and the front seven attacking offenses in such a fast and physical manner, well, it's easy to feel confident about what the Eagles are bringing to the table for Sunday. But every snap of the ball is a new challenge, and the Vikings are a scary threat from every yard line. The Eagles have to rally to the ball and they have to have excellent discipline and timing when they get after it as Johnson likes to do.
Defensively, the Vikings have one of the best lines in football, led by Allen, who had 14 ½ sacks this season. The Vikings rank first in the NFL in run defense, and they get to the quarterback with their pressure package. Last week was a marvelous performance through and through. The Eagles gave the ball to Correll Buckhalter 13 times and he produced 122 total yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Donovan McNabb was terrific in a 12-of-21, 2-touchdown game. The offensive line, maligned during this roller-coaster of a season, shut out NFL sacks leader DeMarcus Ware and paved the way for 137 rushing yards on 36 attempts. McNabb was sacked just once, and he set up and spread the ball around to six receivers as the Eagles made one big play after another to blow open what was a tie game after one quarter. If they can play up to that level again this week this will certainly be another winning game.The Eagles need to get a lead and hold onto it, play tough defense and stop the Vikings running game, force turnovers and maybe most importantly convert third downs. How many times have I said that? Basically the Eagles need to play Eagles football, and remember that we are all behind them and supporting them. Let’s go win a Superbowl. Beat the Vikings this week and we are one step closer.
Minnesota’s offense revolves around Peterson, who led the NFL with 1,760 rushing yards in 2008. Peterson combines a rare blend of speed, power, moves and aggressiveness. Only in his second season, Peterson is already the best running back in the league. He is a threat to score any time he touches the football. Minnesota revolves its offense around Peterson, but the Vikings also have good receivers and a touchdown threat in tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Philadelphia's defense is in (knock on wood) excellent shape entering the playoffs and the truth is that the Eagles will go as far in the playoffs as the defense takes them. With a resurgent Brian Dawkins fresh off earning his second NFC Defensive Player of the Month Award for December in three seasons, and with the secondary at the top of its game and the front seven attacking offenses in such a fast and physical manner, well, it's easy to feel confident about what the Eagles are bringing to the table for Sunday. But every snap of the ball is a new challenge, and the Vikings are a scary threat from every yard line. The Eagles have to rally to the ball and they have to have excellent discipline and timing when they get after it as Johnson likes to do.
Defensively, the Vikings have one of the best lines in football, led by Allen, who had 14 ½ sacks this season. The Vikings rank first in the NFL in run defense, and they get to the quarterback with their pressure package. Last week was a marvelous performance through and through. The Eagles gave the ball to Correll Buckhalter 13 times and he produced 122 total yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Donovan McNabb was terrific in a 12-of-21, 2-touchdown game. The offensive line, maligned during this roller-coaster of a season, shut out NFL sacks leader DeMarcus Ware and paved the way for 137 rushing yards on 36 attempts. McNabb was sacked just once, and he set up and spread the ball around to six receivers as the Eagles made one big play after another to blow open what was a tie game after one quarter. If they can play up to that level again this week this will certainly be another winning game.The Eagles need to get a lead and hold onto it, play tough defense and stop the Vikings running game, force turnovers and maybe most importantly convert third downs. How many times have I said that? Basically the Eagles need to play Eagles football, and remember that we are all behind them and supporting them. Let’s go win a Superbowl. Beat the Vikings this week and we are one step closer.
Who to Watch:
- Eagles LG Todd Herremans vs. Vikings DT Kevin Williams
- Eagles WR DeSean Jackson vs. Vikings CB Antoine Winfield
- Eagles SAM Chris Gocong vs. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
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