2011 NFL Playoffs: Packers' 3-4 Defense is McCoy's Dream

When the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers met Week 1 this season, both teams found significant success on the ground.  The Eagles rushed for 149 yards (mostly by Michael Vick) on only 20 attempts, and the Packers kept the chains moving with 132 yards on the ground.

The Eagles quietly finished fifth in the NFL in rushing yards and first in yards per carry.  Running back LeSean McCoy averaged 5.2 yards per carry and racked up 1,672 yards from scrimmage.  Jerome Harrison averaged six yards per carry as McCoy’s backup.

To help keep the blitz off Vick Sunday against Green Bay, the Eagles will need to run the ball.  McCoy says that’s just what the Eagles will do.

"Going into this game plan, I’m running the ball a little bit more," McCoy said Thursday to the Philadelphia Inquirer.  "With [the Packers'] type of defense, a 3-4, they kind of invite you to run the ball."

We’re not sure about the logic McCoy uses, but the end result is a good idea.  Outside of Vick, McCoy is the team’s MVP this year.

"We’re going to run it a bit and kind of get him out of that pocket a little bit more," McCoy said. "I think that, with play fakes, will help him out."

Hopefully Andy Reid will call a balanced offensive game today, with a run-pass ratio closer to 60-40 rather than 70-30. This will undoubtedly take a lot of pressure off Vick and the Eagles' offensive line.

Score Prediction: 31-26 E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!