Packers vs. Eagles: 10 Bold Predictions for NFL Wild Card Weekend Showdown
The Green Bay Packers are visiting the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFL's wild-card weekend.
Both squads have explosive offenses, and this may be the most exciting first-round matchup slated for this weekend. Expect nothing short of fireworks, as both sides feature dynamic playmakers that should make for a wild ride.
Here are 10 bold predictions for this wild-card weekend showdown between the Packers and Eagles.
10. LeSean McCoy Will Have More Receiving Yards Than Rushing Yards
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LeSean McCoy has turned in a solid sophomore campaign, and he'll play a vital role this weekend for Philadelphia.
With the Packers top-ranked pass defense and their imposing linebackers, the Eagles will be forced to turn to the screen option early and often to counteract the Packers. They can lure in Green Bay's pass rushers and give McCoy enough breathing room to wreak havoc once he's able to escape the clutches of Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk.
McCoy has great hands, and he's going to rack up a ton of receiving yards, but little rushing yards.
9. Clay Matthews Will Have Three Sacks
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Clay Matthews has been an absolute monster on defense, and Michael Vick will most assuredly be looking for him prior to every snap.
Despite the focus on Matthews, he's able to impose his will over offensive lineman and wreak havoc all over the field. With the Eagles porous line, it'll make things that much easier for him.
Matthews will be in the Eagles backfield all game long, and he'll get his hands on Vick and take him down three times.
8. Brent Celek Will Be the Leading Receiver for Philadelphia
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The Green Bay Packers are likely to focus on Michael Vick first, DeSean Jackson second, Jeremy Maclin third and finally LeSean McCoy.
As great as the Packers have been against wide receivers, they've had trouble containing tight ends.
Brent Celek has been coming on as of late and he'll carry the hot hand over to the first-round of the playoffs.
Celek will be the beneficiary of a lot of check down passes, and he should find himself with plenty of beatable man coverage on short and intermediate routes.
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7. James Jones Will Lead the Packers in Receiving
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Greg Jennings will have his hands full with Asante Samuel blanketing him, and while he'll probably get his, he won't have many receiving yards in the process.
Age is finally catching up to Donald Driver, and while he's still an effective receiver, he's not quite the same as in years past.
This is where the young and explosive James Jones can take full advantage in the Packers pass-happy offense. The Packers love to use empty backfields and three-plus wide receiver sets. Jones thrives in the slot, and he will get a lot of receptions over the middle with the Eagles banged up linebacker core, and he'll find himself in plenty of one-on-one situations.
6. DeSean Jackson Will Not Be Productive
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Despite being 34-years-old, Charles Woodson is still playing at an elite level.
Woodson will be tasked with the unenviable task of covering DeSean Jackson. However, he'll get plenty of safety help to cover him up.
The Packers' secondary will gameplan on stopping Jackson and they will succeed. Whether it is through bracket coverage or jamming him off the line, Jackson will not find room to do damage with his deep threat ability.
5. Jeremy Maclin Will Have Two Touchdowns
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The Philadelphia Eagles love to throw in the red zone and I don't expect that to change, even with the Packers elite pass defense.
Jeremy Maclin has had a fantastic season and he quickly became one of Michael Vick's favorite targets in the red zone.
With the Packers focused on DeSean Jackson and Vick, Maclin will find himself in beatable coverage, where he can take full advantage.
4. Asante Samuel Will Have Two Interceptions
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Asante Samuel has really raised his level of play and you can argue that he has been the best cornerback in the league this year.
Samuel's ball-hawking skills are second-to-none. Since he'll be covering Aaron Rodgers' favorite target, Greg Jennings, he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays, and I expect him to have a huge impact.
Samuel is a master at reading quarterbacks, and I expect him to intercept Aaron Rodgers twice.
3. But He Will Also Give Up a Big Play to Greg Jennings
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Asante Samuel's ball-hawking skills can be a gift and a curse. He may get that big time interception—or two—but he'll also get beat and give up a big play from time to time.
With less than five minutes remaining and the Packers driving, Samuel will try and be the hero by gambling on a pass thrown to Greg Jennings.
Samuel will miss on his opportunity, and Jennings will take advantage and score to take a late fourth-quarter lead.
2. Aaron Rodgers Will Throw for 350-Plus Yards, Four Touchdowns
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Aaron Rodgers will step up to the challenge and play big in arguably the biggest game of his career.
The Packers will use plenty of multi-receiver sets and they'll go pass-happy on the Eagles all night long.
Rodgers will carve up anyone on the Eagles not named Asante Samuel on his way to 350-plus passing yards and four touchdowns.
1. The Batteries Will Fly
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Philadelphia will have the ball with two minutes remaining in the game, but they will ultimately fall short.
I see the Packers just barely edging out the Eagles.
Philadelphia is known for their rowdy and unforgiving fans. Once the final score is up, Lincoln Financial Field will echo with the raucous crowd booing.
The Eagles better keep their helmets on until they get into the locker room, because the batteries will start to find their way onto the field.
Green Bay 31, Philadelphia 27
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