NFC Wild Card: Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles Preview

Eagles offense vs. Packers defense

Go to the ground game

Philadelphia's biggest advantage against the Green Bay defense is their running game.

Running back LeSean McCoy averaged over five yards per carry, while the Packers defense allowed around 4.7. McCoy's ability to quickly hit open seams and cutback lanes, and the fact that defenses have had to respect the threat of play action; Vick's athleticism also played large parts in the success of the Eagles running game.

The Packers have been particularly susceptible when they've been in their 2-4-5 nickel defenses, placing only two true defensive linemen on the field.

Look for the Eagles to try to get the Packers into these run-friendly looks so they can exploit them in an effort to combat the Packers' aggressive defense.

Packers vs. Vick, Part II

These Packers saw Michael Vick for one half of their Week 1 match up against the Eagles, experiencing mixed results. Vick reeled off big plays on the ground and completed passes successfully against man and zone, when the Packers only rushed with a base four.

Over recent weeks, teams like the Giants and Vikings have been able to limit Vick and the Philly passing game with pressures off the edge from defensive backs. Vick needs to do a better job adjusting blocking assignments pre-snap.

Look for the Packers to send Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews off the edge consistently in an effort to throw Vick off balance.

From a coverage perspective, teams have had success with multiple strategies. The Cowboys, in a Week 14 Sunday night game, were able to match up well by playing two-deep with press man coverage underneath and having outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer match up athletically with Vick.

In Week 16, the Vikings were able to limit the Eagles' high flying offense with two deep and three deep zones.

The Packers have the personnel to do it all. Look for them to mix it up as a counter to the Eagles' preparation for this game.

Advantage: Packers

Packers offense vs. Eagles defense

Trench Work

If the Eagles are going to limit the Packers offense, it starts and ends up front.

Defensive ends Trent Cole and Juqua Parker have had excellent seasons against the run and pass. They have some favorable match ups in this game.

Offensive tackles Chad Clifton and Bryan Bulaga, a rookie, will have their hands full.

If defensive tackles Mike Patterson, Antonio Dixon and Broderick Bunkley remain stout at the point of attack versus an offensive line that does not get much push, Cole and Parker will have chances to tee off in long yardage situations.

DT Antonio Dixon, in particular, has been a play maker on the inside keeping the banged up Bunkley off the field. Matched up at times against left guard and weak link Daryn Colledge, expect him to create negative plays for the Packers offense.

However, if center Scott Wells and right guard Josh Sitton can help control the interior and get teammates on an inconsistent group of Philly linebackers, the Packers may surprise everyone with a bit of a ground game at times.

Lots of Zone

The Eagles simply do not have the depth or talent in their secondary to match up one-on-one with the Packers' play makers.

For most of the season, coordinator Sean McDermott has dialed up zone coverage to limit big plays and allow their corner backs to react to plays in front of them.

Expect a lot more of this on Sunday.

Regardless, the Packers and Aaron Rodgers will not be shy in challenging the defense vertically. The Eagles lack great range at safety, corner back Dmitri Patterson has begun to struggle, and it is still unknown how close to 100% corner back Asante Samuel is.

If the Eagles cannot get pressure consistently, watch for big plays down the field from Green Bay.

Advantage: Packers

Look, we all know the Packers have very good talent on both sides of the ball. That is what made them a popular Super Bowl pick in the preseason.

What has limited this team are injuries and mistakes.

The Eagles are plenty good enough to make the Packers pay for missing opportunities, turning over the ball and committing penalties.

Heck, Arizona made them pay for these very things in last year's playoffs.