Nnamdi Asomugha to Eagles: 4 Games on Schedule Where It Makes the Difference

The most coveted free agent of the 2011 NFL off-season has found a new home. The cornerback with the funny name, Nnamdi Asomugha, is now a Philadelphia Eagle. Today the former Oakland Raider signed a five year deal worth $60 million with the Eagles.

With Nnamdi’s arrival in Philly this now catapults the Eagles to the top of the NFC East and near the pinnacle of the entire conference.

Asomugha will lead Philly’s defense against the likes of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Giants signal caller Eli Manning and other top quarterbacks in the NFC. 

His arrival will aid Philly’s 14^th ranked pass defense and possibly carry them to the playoffs.

As the Eagles prepare for the 2011 NFL season here are eight games where Nnamdi’s presence will make a difference.

Atlanta Falcons

The Eagles travel to Atlanta to face Matt Ryan and the high flying Falcons offense. Last season Ryan tossed 28 touchdowns and almost 4,000 yards as the Falcons skated to 13 wins.

Philly was able to tame Matty Ice last season as they beat the Falcons 31-17. Ryan was sacked three times and tossed one interception.

Matt and the Falcons will be ready this season but with Nnamdi lurking in the secondary the Eagles should find any easier path to victory.

Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler and the Bears beat the Eagles at home in week 12 last season 31-26. Cutler threw four touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 146.

Today the Bears signed former Cowboys receiver Roy Williams which will height and a new level of skill to an average receiving core in Chicago.

Nnamdi’s presence will most definitely make Cutler think twice before airing it out against Asomugha. Well, maybe not with Cutler but maybe after a few picks he’ll have a change of heart.

Asomugha will change the way Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz calls plays when these two teams meet in a crucial week nine match-up.

New England Patriots

Tom Brady threw four interceptions last season, that’s it. In fact those four picks came in the first six weeks of the 2010 NFL season. Simply put: Tom Brady doesn’t make mistakes.

But with Nnamdi and the Eagles hosting the Pats in week 12 this game will likely have playoff implications. It has a 4:15pm ET start time and it’s in late November, which means that it will be cold.

The Pats will tailor their game plan around Asomugha and it will be interesting to see how often Tom Brady looks his way. Either way, this game will not disappoint.

Dallas Cowboys

The Eagles and the ‘Boys meet up twice a year and sometimes the games have serious playoff repercussions stamped on them.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was injured in week 7 last season and never got a chance to face the Eagles. But in 2009 Tony torched Philly for five touchdowns in three games with one coming in the postseason.

Romo is versatile, mobile and has a great arm. He doesn’t take as many chances as he did in the past but Jason Garrett will not back down from a challenge. Dallas won’t go after Nnamdi but they will try to test him.

Asomugha’s arrival in Philly could mean the NFC East title for Philly and if they are able to make it past the Cowboys and Giants then look out NFC.