When the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles take the field this Sunday afternoon they will be riding two very different waves in to the playoffs.
The Packers, winners of their last two, both impressive in their own regard, will have all the momentum flying high as they head east to Philly. The Eagles, on the other hand, have lost two straight, but more importantly scored just 14 and 13 points in each loss --- half of what their regular season average came to.
Packers (10-6) vs. Eagles (10-6)
Lincoln Financial Field
Kickoff: 3:30 PM
Broadcast: TV -- FOX (6) Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. Radio -- Packers Radio Network/WTMJ-AM (620) with Wayne Larivee (play-by-play) and Larry McCarren (color commentary).
Head coaches: Eagles -- Andy Reid has a 118-73 regular season record, and is 10-8 in playoff games. Packers -- Mike McCarthy has 47 regular season wins to just 32 losses, but is 1-2 in playoff games.
Last meeting: The Packers defense put a straight jacket over Kevin Kolb's right arm, and Green Bay slowed a late Eagles surge led by Michael Vick's 103 rushing yards to hold on for the 27-20 Week 1 win.
Did you know?
The Eagles recorded the worst home record (4-4) among playoff teams during the 2010 regular season. The Packers have won just three road games in 2010.
Key Regular Season Stats
Points per game: Eagles -- 27.4 (3rd), Packers -- 24.3 (10th)
Rushing yards per game: Eagles -- 145.4 (5th), Packers -- 100.4 (24th)
3rd down percentage: Eagles -- 39.7 (14th), Packers -- 41.5 (8th)
Penalties/Yards: Eagles -- 129 (30th) /1101 (31st), Packers -- 78 (4th)/617 (3rd)
Total Yards Allowed Per Game: Eagles -- 327.2, Packers -- 309.1
Giveaway/Takeaway Ratio: Eagles -- +9, Packers -- +10
Passes dropped?
Both the Eagles and Packers have had troubles with dropped passes this season. For the Eagles, Brent Celek has sdropped eight ball, and Jeremy Maclin and Desean Jackson have combined for 12. For the Packers, dropped passes have haunted Donald Driver and James Jones at times this season (13 combined); some of which have been eas,y over-the-shoulder and down the field game-changing lobs. Both teams obviously must eliminate these types of mishaps if they want to win the battle on offense.
Keys to victory
For the Packers, getting enough pressure while holding outside contain as Michael Vick tries to roll out is going to be the biggest key on the defensive side of the ball. I suspect Charles Woodson will be a key pass-rusher throughout.
On offense, not only does Aaron Rodgers have to get rid of the ball quickly and allow his wide receivers to do the dirty work to offset the blitz packages the Eagles will bring, but there must be good productive balance between pass and run.
For the Eagles, Michael Vick has to be on the field, in sync with all of his receivers, and upright in the pocket. If added protection is needed Vick will have to be next to perfect with his throws, because he will not be able to run all day on that roughed up quadriceps.
On defense, safeties Quintin Mikell and Kurt Coleman have to keep Packer receivers in front of them, and make every tackle. Asante Samuel cannot try to jump routes against this offense, because he will get burned by the double move.
Match-ups to watch
DE Trent Cole vs. OT Chad Clifton and Bryan Bulaga -- Cole is a pass-rushing specialist, but also supports against the run very well (not that it matters). His production has tapered off in the past four weeks (one recorded sack), but that has been a common theme throughout his career. Cole will need to step up if the Eagles want to break Aaron Rodgers' rhythm. And after seeing the mistakes Bulaga made last week against the Bears I suspect Cole will be rotated between left and right end.
CB Tramon Williams vs. WR Desean Jackson -- The Packers cornerbacks are two of the best the NFL has to offer, and it all starts with Tramon Williams' ability to lock down. Williams' man cover skills should enable defensive coordinator Dom Capers to dial up a few exotic pass-rushing schemes, which should include reigning defensive MVP Charles Woodson. At the same time Jackson is very quick off the line, so if he gets behind Tramon and Vick has enough time to find him, he will have a huge game.
