Game Thread: NFC Championship Game: Minnesota @ Philadelphia

[Birds4life81]

It's crazy to think we're in this position without Carson Wentz, but this team as a whole is truly special, and at home, this defense is a nightmare for opposing teams. This is going to be a low scoring game, take the under.

Both defenses are fantastic, but home field advantage is a huge boost for the defensive side.
-Vikings defense at home allows 12.5 points
-Vikings defense on the road allows 19 points

Regardless this is an outstanding defense, but with home field we have a big advantage.

The Eagles are 14-2 in home games since 2016, not counting week 17 vs the cowboys.

I went back and watched the tape vs Atlanta. This o-line did a great job, especially in the run game in the first 2 quarters, they were creating big holes and doing a good job in pass pro. The run blocking dipped in the 3rd quarter though.

This defense was spectacular, despite our mistakes on offense and ST that put the defense in unfavorable positions.

Case Keenum seems to hold the ball just a hair longer, especially compared to Matt Ryan, which should give our defensive line the ability to finish plays with sacks. I expect them to get after Case Keenum and that o-line. Their run game should falter against our stout front, and our pass rush will be disruptive once again. Thielen and Diggs are great WR's, but Julio and Sanu are tougher to handle, especially for our leaner Corners. This field is also very slippery, and WRs like Thielen and Diggs who rely on their quickness and cutting ability could be slowed down because of it. Eagles should be well prepared to handle this field after experiencing it in all its glory Saturday. Guys were slipping all over the place, more-so the Falcons - home field advantage =).

So how do we move the ball against a stout defense like that? Well, in Doug Pederson and this coaching staff I believe. The play calling was absolutely brilliant vs the Falcons. Extremely creative at times, and very simple to allow Foles to succeed at other times. I think Foles did exactly what he needed to do. He had 4 bad throws:

1st. The first play of the game to Torrey Smith - the wind simply took it, and shouldn't bank on just a PI, but we got fortunate.
2nd. First quarter, overthrew Ertz for a 4-5yard completion.
3rd. Overthrew Trey Burton on 3rd down after a great drive
4th. The throw that bounced off Neal's knee and landed in Torrey's lap

Outside of these throws Foles did a great job making quick reads, and the most encouraging sign was that he was stepping up into the pocket and delivering nice throws. His accuracy over 20 yards is still a ? though.

We also have the edge in special teams, and I trust Elliot far more than Forbath. In a game where FG's should win it, our Kicker should give us the edge.

I know we just had an emotional win, but the Vikings take the cake on that one. Looking like all hope is completely lost, and then that play happens, all these guys are shocked right now. You go from that insane game, with so much support and a crazy crowd, travel to an outdoor team in a super hostile environment, you're the favorite to win the game and you have a chance at playing the super bowl on your home turf - talk about pressure to win. On the other hand we got some straight DOGS on this philly team, with an underdog mentality, a great coaching staff, a nasty defense, and an insane crowd. I'm fired up for this game!!

We need another great offensive game plan, and another good game (hopefully even better) from the o-line. Our defense and home field gives us the edge. Eagles 19-13

Eagles and Nick Foles in the super bowl!!!

 

[I miss Dawkins]

I have to agree with the Vikes fan here.....with a caveat. IN JANUARY the Linc is a crap field. It looked about as good as I can remember in a January game last Sunday and they were all still slipping all over the place. The slips went our way last week....that is no guarantee from week to week.

Why they have just not gone to the fake stuff yet is beyond me.

I think they are choosing to live with slips, than injuries from planted feet that don't give when hit. It is a balance between the two. I have noticed a lot of slips. But I'd rather have that, than more injuries.

 

[I miss Dawkins]

Love facing an indoor team. Welcome outside, bitches.

Give me some Agholor this week. He looks ready to break out. A few big plays are going to be the difference in this one. Shouldn't be much scoring.

I agree about agholor AND we need to run Jefferies on more shorter routes and let him use that physical body, the way we began to in the 2nd half. THE KEY... is keep the passing game short. Foles is highly accurate when he makes a first, fast read and gets rid of the ball. He does not make multiple reads well, does not throw a long ball well (even when wide open). But a short passing (and running game) help control the time of possession as well. Even if it becomes a FG competition, that is another one we can win. Keep the passes in the 3-8 yard range mixed in with a lot of outside runs and screens. Ertz, Agholor, Jeffrey and Hollins can all be highly successful running such routes and marching down the field.

 

[Taddy Mason]

I agree about agholor AND we need to run Jefferies on more shorter routes and let him use that physical body, the way we began to in the 2nd half. THE KEY... is keep the passing game short. Foles is highly accurate when he makes a first, fast read and gets rid of the ball. He does not make multiple reads well, does not throw a long ball well (even when wide open). But a short passing (and running game) help control the time of possession as well. Even if it becomes a FG competition, that is another one we can win. Keep the passes in the 3-8 yard range mixed in with a lot of outside runs and screens. Ertz, Agholor, Jeffrey and Hollins can all be highly successful running such routes and marching down the field.

The problem with making reads this week vs. the falcons game is minnesota does more to disguise what they're doing. hopefully it goes well.

 

[_phiLLies_]

need to get in keenum's face all game. when he's under constant pressure he looks like the backup/iffy starter he is, running scared or throwing up some lob slop. but if they give him time, he's going to accuarately slice through the defense.

 

[Omar 382]

need to get in keenum's face all game. when he's under constant pressure he looks like the backup/iffy starter he is, running scared or throwing up some lob slop. but if they give him time, he's going to accuarately slice through the defense.

As long as we see some of this on Sunday, we should be in good shape...

 

[Taddy Mason]

As long as we see some of this on Sunday, we should be in good shape...

I feel like they tried and mixup the line to keep them fresh all year, but if my memory is correct, Cox, Graham, and I'll stop there (as I think they were at like 90% of the snaps), Curry still got him like 75%, they went heavy with who they thought were their best DL. BG had some nice plays made behind the line of scrimmage, though they still made some other plays on those last drives, but he was a beast.

 

[Omar 382]

I feel like they tried and mixup the line to keep them fresh all year, but if my memory is correct, Cox, Graham, and I'll stop there (as I think they were at like 90% of the snaps), Curry still got him like 75%, they went heavy with who they thought were their best DL. BG had some nice plays made behind the line of scrimmage, though they still made some other plays on those last drives, but he was a beast.

Yeah, Kendricks had a couple nice tackles too IIRC. Our run defense will hopefully be able to shut down Latavius Murray, at which point Zimmer will be forced to throw the ball a lot with Keenum. Again, this is all what hopefully happens. Minnesota is a good team, and while I think we will win, we can't underestimate them, neither the fan base/media nor the actual Eagles team.

 

[eaglesnut]

i'm counting on this being an awesome game, because i think we can all agree that new england vs. jacksonville, AIN'T gonna be an awesome game. so please, eagles and vikings, give me a "last possession wins" type of finish, because the AFCCG will likely be unwatchable past the 1st quarter.

Jags are legit and Tom Coughlin has upset the Patriots twice in the playoffs.

 

[Ojb81]

Jags are legit and Tom Coughlin has upset the Patriots twice in the playoffs.

Different franchise, Jackie. There a lot of "legit" teams that would and will get their asses kicked by the patriots

 

[eaglesnut]

Different franchise, Jackie. There a lot of "legit" teams that would and will get their asses kicked by the patriots

Not every single time.

 

[mall3013]

I must be the only person here that is taking the Jags to pull the upset off at New England. I love the Jags in this game.

 

[PnkPanther]

Good luck guys. Looking forward to fun hard fought game

to no surprise, I think Mn will win, but it'll be an uphill slog. None the less, looking forward to it



And I'll leave it at that

 

[Roy Munson]

Good luck guys. Looking forward to fun hard fought game

to no surprise, I think Mn will win, but it'll be an uphill slog. None the less, looking forward to it



And I'll leave it at that

Losing to Nick Foles is going to sting.

 

[Orlando Eagles]

Turf is Bullshit.

Fuck indoor teams.

Until recently I would agree on this. But I have changed my mind on the modern artificial grass.

That said....I think whatever shape the field is in helps us more than the Vikes this weekend.

 

[eaglesnut]

Until recently I would agree on this. But I have changed my mind on the modern artificial grass.

That said....I think whatever shape the field is in helps us more than the Vikes this weekend.

Yeah because little bits of rubber are so superior to mud. Give me the mud.

 

[Rey]

I don't see much difference between these 2 teams. If Foles can play like he did in the 2nd half of last week's game ... we have a good shot. Remember, Foles didn't have a preseason and it looked to me like things finally started to slow down for him. The fact that we're home again is always a big advantage especially with an indoor team this time of year. We can NOT lose the turnover battle ... we got lucky last week in that regard, but that likely won't be the case two weeks in a row in the playoffs.

 

[SixthStreet]

Minnesota's pass D is structured to take away all the short, easy stuff. As much as we would like to think this is another game where Foles can just hit the quick one read throws like he did against Atlanta, I don't think it's going to work like that. Foles is going to have to hit some downfield throws. The one where he missed Burton on the deep corner are the areas of the field where the Vikings can be vulnerable. He cannot miss those chances Sunday.

What's unfortunate is Wentz would have made this defense look far more pedestrian than they are. Wentz does everything well, but pushing the ball downfield and stretching their quarters look thin is the best thing he does. This wouldn't have even been a game with Wentz.

 

[I miss Dawkins]

The problem with making reads this week vs. the falcons game is minnesota does more to disguise what they're doing. hopefully it goes well.

I will be honest... I don't think the disguised looks will mean chit to Foles. It might have actually been more difficult for Wentz - who studies like crazy - always the first man in and last man out. But Foles barely makes 2 read progressions. He needed to be put in the shotgun because he can't read defenses fast enough. He is going to do what he is going to do (including throwing into QUADRUPAL COVERAGE) no matter what the defense is showing. So honestly, all their disguise and changing things around- could be quite meaningless to a offense that is based around Foles limited abilities and readilness in this offense - more than being a factor that confuses him. I honestly don't 'think the early read is going to mean much. We will dink/dunk, screen and run in a short TOP gameplan that won't matter much to the switches.

IN fact, I would say a hurry up offense could find the vikes defense in the middle of changes and play into our benefit.

 

[I miss Dawkins]

Minnesota's pass D is structured to take away all the short, easy stuff. As much as we would like to think this is another game where Foles can just hit the quick one read throws like he did against Atlanta, I don't think it's going to work like that. Foles is going to have to hit some downfield throws. The one where he missed Burton on the deep corner are the areas of the field where the Vikings can be vulnerable. He cannot miss those chances Sunday.

What's unfortunate is Wentz would have made this defense look far more pedestrian than they are. Wentz does everything well, but pushing the ball downfield and stretching their quarters look thin is the best thing he does. This wouldn't have even been a game with Wentz.

I couldn't agree more about Wentz. His study and recall is incredible and downfield passing is incredible. It's a real shame he got hurt. It would have been amazing to see him work in this situation. I hope we will have future years to se as well.

I do not think you want Foles passing downfield and looking for those opportunities. Vikes run man coverage a lot - and that will get some guys open on short crossing patterns. I don't think they are going to shut short stuff down as well as you think - especially against physical receivers like Ertz, Jefferies and Hollins (and Agholor to a degree).

But if you want him pushing it downfield, even if we get open, I think your going to be looking at a lot more turnovers and stalled drives. We had guys WIDE open and he failed on every long pass he threw - and not by any small margin - 2 of which should have been INT's. INT"s will end this game fast. I would rather take my chances on the short game and TOP, even against the Vikes.