Eagles strengths and worries

[twgerber]

Eagles oline is one of the best.  I think 3 of 5 elected to pro bowl and generally considered the best oline going into the season.

They also have a monster dline.

The trenches will win or lose this game.

Vikings haven't won on the road in Philly in a very long time.

Can Case play in the cold?

Can the vikings exercise these demons?

Toughest game of the year coming up.   If it was in the dome I'd be more confident.

[Guest]

I think Keenum is going have to use his legs running just as much as his arm passing.  If he could gain some yardage scrambling, it could hold up the pass rush on him a bit...

[Guest]

Totally agree.  He who wins the trenches, especially in the 4th, goes back to Minny to play for it all.  

[Guest]

But Foles is not Brees. And they don't have a Kamara out of the backfield.  We match up well with their WRs. They do have Ertz - he's good, but he is not enough to beat this defense.
Zimmer should get a lot more exotic with Foles than he did with Brees. Let Rhodes, Waynes, and Newman cover 1-on-1 for 2 or 3 seconds with little safety help and pressure Foles from different angles. Make him get rid of the ball quickly  and force him to find the right guy and make a good pass. Make him do that all game long. Don't give Philly a short field like we did twice with Brees. 

[Guest]

The Vikings couldn't run their creative blitzing scheme because the Saints were ready with a dumpoff because of Brees' pinpoint passing accuracy and the fact that their pass catchers (much like the Vikings) can come from any position. If the Linebackers can hold their own with Philly's TE and RB, that'll free up extra men for blitzes and stunts.

[Guest]

its going to be mid to upper 40s with little wind,  weather shouldnt be a factor for this one.

their O is run first which plays into the strength of our D,  I think we stack the box early to take their RBs out of the game and to force them to try and keep their TEs in for additional pass protection and trust that our back 4 or 5 can get the job done.

[Guest]

As good as it can get on the road weather-wise in a northern climate for Sunday night. Playing on the road is never easy, Eagles have a stout defense. A winnable game that won't be easy by any stretch for Minnesota. Pressure Foles into mistakes. Get up early on them and no way will they come back the way New Orleans did. 

[Guest]

@StickyBun said:
As good as it can get on the road weather-wise in a northern climate for Sunday night. Playing on the road is never easy, Eagles have a stout defense. A winnable game that won't be easy by any stretch for Minnesota. Pressure Foles into mistakes. Get up early on them and no way will they come back the way New Orleans did. 

That's really the key this weekend, another fast start. Like you said, the Eagles don't have the firepower to comeback like the Saints did. The Eagles generally like to keep it on the ground open up their passing game. If the Vikings can limit what they get on the ground and put the ball in Foles hands, they'll have a shot. Defensively the Eagles D-line is going to wreak havoc and Rashod Hill is going to need to have a career game. But their corners are vulnerable to double moves, which both Diggs and Thielen can execute. 

[Guest]

On O Case and Shurmur have to be ready to pass early and often IMO,  I dont think we are going to make much ground using the run to set up the pass unless they want to sacrifice a series or two to try and set up a big play later,  but I dont think that is a great idea on the road in the playoffs.  IMO take what they give us and keep their D on the field early to try and wear them down for running the ball later to let the air out of the ball.   we need to strike early also to neutralize their rabid fan base as much as we can.  if they get boozed up like they do... it will quickly take their venom away if we can get a 3 score lead and stiffle their O,  by mid 3rd quarter they will start to lose their steam.

[Guest]

I suspect our screen game will be critical on offense.  Question, do they run man or zone more?

On D, as is said, stop the run and we should be able to stop their offense.