Who to Watch For: Five Players Who Will Have Big Games For the Eagles Or Packers
Well, it's finally here, Wild Card Weekend. ย With one crazy day already in the books, it's time for the rest of games, both, sure to be great. ย But the focus today will really be on the late NFC game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers, a match-up of two high-powered offenses and defenses that were almost made to play each other. ย But with a great match-up like this, who will break out, and who will fall flat? ย Read on to find out.
Bust: Michael Vick
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All signs point to Michael Vick not having nearly as good a game as people think. ย With his injuries, declining play, and scary Packer pass defense, Vick may be in for a long night. ย To put the icing on the cake, his main target, DeSean Jackson is going to be covered by elite cornerback Charles Woodson. ย Though Vick won't play too badly, he will not have as good a game as he needs to win the game.
Projected Line: 13-30 210 Yards 1 TD 2 INT 7 Rush 30 Yards
Honorable Mention: Clay Matthews
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The only reason Clay didn't crack my list is because it is pretty obvious he's going to go off. ย He destroyed the Eagles in week one, and now with a less mobile Mike Vick, Matthews won't be stopped in his pursuit for the Eagles quarterback. ย And this doesn't even include how he will blow up LeSean McCoy and the Eagles run game.
Projected Line: 8 Tackles 4 Sacks
5. James Jones
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Jones is usually the Packers slotย receiver, a position that has been key for the Packers. ย Though his best game came without Aaron Rodgers, he has been seeing consistent action since the bye week. ย He will also get to go against Joselio Hanson who, though not bad, is definitely not one of the better cornerbacks. ย If Jones can show Rodgers that he is open early, he will have a big game.
Projected Line: 6 Receptions 73 Yards 1 TD
.jpg?w=256 "Raiders Crosby Football")
4. Trent Cole
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Cole had a big game against the Pack in week one, leading the Eagles with six tackles and adding a sack. ย However, Juqua Parker also played well, getting two sacks, so the Packers may be preparing more for Parker, leaving Cole open to have a great game. ย If the Packers try to run to the outside, Cole will be there, and when they pass, which will be a lot, expect Cole to be there too.
Projected Line: 5 Tackles 3 Sacksย
3. Asante Samuel
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Samuel will have a good game for all the wrong reasons. ย It's not because he will shut down Greg Jennings (as you will see later), but because he won't be playing on him. ย The way the Eagles work is that Samuel plays only on the left, so he will be matched up with Donald Driver, a player who he should easily keep in check. ย Don't expect a hugeย statisticalย game, but don't expect Driver to get any looks.
Projected Line: 3 Tackles 3 Pass Deflections KEY STAT 1 Catch Allowed
2. Charles Woodson
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Talk about a big play cornerback, and Charles Woodson's name will always come up. ย In his career he has 10 pick sixes, one of them coming this year. ย He has a knack for being at the right spot at the right time, and though covering DeSean Jackson will be no cakewalk, he is the perfect man for the job. ย He will thrive off Vick wanting to throw to Jackson, and make him a non-factor, making a couple big plays along the way.
Projected Line: 4 Tackles 2 INT 1 TD 4 Pass Deflections
1. Greg Jennings
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Greg Jennings v. Dimitri Patterson. ย I don't think Aaron Rodgers could ask for a better match-up. ย Jennings is one of the best, and hottestย receiversย in the game right now. ย Out of his last seven games, he has gone over 100 yards four times and almost had a fifth last week. ย Combine that with his match-up and the Packers non-existent running game, and you have a pass heavy offense with aย receiverย fit to have an MVP-like game.
Projected Line: 12 Receptions 124 Yards 2 TDs
Verdict
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The Packers have everything except home-field working for them. ย With tons of players capable of making huge plays, and having big games, they should beat the Eagles, not by a lot, but the game will be much more of a blowout than the scoreboard will show.
Projected Score: Packers 28 Eagles 20
.jpg?w=480 "Raiders Crosby Football")
