Key Battle for Packers vs. Eagles
If the Packers can't find their defensive mojo against the Eagles, they might not see it again this season.
By andrewgarda
Simply put, the Packers have to find a way to beat the Eagles if they are to keep their even feeble playoff hopes alive. With the win over the Vikings, the Lions are 7-4 and if the Packers lose they’ll be three games back with five games left.
So what is the key to this game?
Defense.
The last few games have not been a tour de force for Dom Capers’ unit. They’ve allowed over 30 points in their last four losses, twice allowing the opposition to score more than 40 points. Teams seem able to score at will, and while there have been some rough patches for Aaron Rodgers and the offense, consistently letting other teams score early and often on you makes life much harder of that same offense.
Even if Rodgers throws for four touchdowns and 400 yards, the Packers lose if that’s all catch-up.
Luckily for the Packers, rookie Carson Wentz has come back down to earth after a hot start and the Eagles backfield is filled with injured players. On top of that, the receiving corps isn’t really strong.
On paper, the Packers should show up with one of their better defensive performances.
That’s not really a high bar, but it’s also true that if they cannot do this now, they can’t do it at all. The Eagles have the rookie quarterback, the shaky backfield and if that’s not enough in the Packers’ favor, they have an offensive line which has struggled since Lane Johnson was suspended for PEDs a while back.
Can the Packers get more out of their defense?
It will start up front, with the defensive line and the front seven. Letroy Guion and Mike Daniels have to shore up the middle to contain whoever is healthy enough to suit up. Some extra pass rush from them would not be frowned upon either.
At linebacker, Clay Matthews has to improve upon his quiet game from last week, while Nick Perry has to provide more pressure as well.
And all of that means very little if the secondary can’t get its act together.
This is a game which should line up well to all of the above. Again, the Eagles offense is no great shakes and has multiple injuries to boot.
If the Packers cannot produce on defense against this group, the season is truly over.
Comments (6)
sheppercheeser
November 25, 2016 at 05:57 am
So once again, this is a must-win game? I thought the last three were portrayed as the same thing. Luckily, the Packers have under-performed so badly there is no confidence level for me to believe that GB will sneak out of Philly with a win.
Gforcetrivers
November 25, 2016 at 07:40 am
I think we can win this game. But I also think it will the last game we win this year.
Since'61
November 25, 2016 at 09:09 am
The Eagles are 4-0 at home this season. So while the Eagles do have plenty of issues they seem to save their best efforts for the home crowd. This is also a must win for the Eagles and their slim playoff hopes. As for the Packers they need to find ways to win rather than ways to lose. I would like to see the Packers start fast in this game, get a lead and take the home crowd out of the game early. If they can play with a lead, maybe, just maybe, our defense can make some plays and force a turnover or two. If we can hold the Eagles under 30 points we have a chance, if not, well it's a little over 4 months until opening day for NY Yankees. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61
jlc1
November 25, 2016 at 05:33 pm
This is going to sound like a whining, impatient Pack fan talking but based on the last 4 weeks we are going to see Aaron Rodgers doing some quality QBing and we are going to see the Eagles' "Aaron Rodgers" do it even better. This defense is making average to good QB's look like HOF talent. What has changed to make this week any different from the last 4? That we lost both our inside linebackers? We get Randall back? Net on that for the defense is that it is even worse this week than last. Not good. Eagles 37 Pack 22.
al bundy
November 25, 2016 at 06:51 pm
I see the words" wentz has career passing game". We seem to give career days against our d. This is squarly Ted's d.
Capers did not draft one person on the d but is expected to make silk purses out of pigs ears. Xont blame him. Ted has to go. Cheap money ball has to go. Team needs free agents, trades and decent draft picks.
Ther is a hoard of 5'10 190 d backs out there but none are on the better teams playing solid defense. Ted lves them they come cheap.
ECpackfan
November 28, 2016 at 01:40 pm
This will not be an easy win, but if we can somehow manage to get some pressure on Wentz, it should help out our secondary (or more like 3rd and 4thdary). Ryan's return should hopefully shore up the middle of the field and hopefully limit any ground attacks. Seeing as how the Eagles D holds opponents to less than 10 PPG at home, we're gonna need a healthy dose of Monty and Cook. And who knows, we may even see someone not named Aaron Rodgers get a rushing td...