Philadelphia Eagles: 5 Players Who Must Have Big Games for Birds to Beat Pats

The Philadelphia Eagles' season is on life support. With six losses already, just one more could end all hope for the playoffs, regardless of how well the Birds perform the rest of the way.

It's with that in mind that the Eagles prepare to face the New England Patriots this week. The task is tall as the Patriots are again among the best teams in the NFL, and few are picking the Birds to be victorious.

If the Eagles are to pull off the upset, they will need strong performances from a few key players.

Here are five players who need to play well on Sunday in order for the Eagles to have a chance to upset the Patriots.

Jamar Chaney

If the Eagles expect to contend with the Patriots, they will obviously need to slow the Tom Brady-led Patriots offense. The much-maligned Eagles defense is coming off a strong performance against the New York Giants—a performance keyed by Jamar Chaney.

If he can maintain a similar level of play this week, it will give the Eagles defense a fighting chance.

The Eagles' defensive scheme demands that their linebackers make tackles and cover in space. Their defensive line focuses on rushing the quarterback, not reading runs or screens, so all of that responsibility is assigned to the linebacking corps. The Eagles' defense has struggled most this season when their linebackers have failed to make plays.

Last week, Chaney was active and instinctive. He played a smart game, and the difference in the defensive performance was obvious. If he can continue that performance against the Patriots, it will allow the Eagles defense to adapt a more attacking style and try to sustain pressure on Brady.

If Chaney regresses, the Patriots' short passing game will be unstoppable on Sunday.

Vince Young/Michael Vick

Regardless of who starts at quarterback against the Patriots, the Eagles will need a big game out of him in order to have a shot at winning. With Michael Vick having yet to even practice, it's looking more and more likely that Vince Young will start his second straight game.

Against the Patriots, it's critical that the Eagles avoid turning the ball over. Giving Tom Brady extra possessions will result in points on the board for the Patriots, so whomever is at quarterback will need to find a way to move the ball effectively without taking unnecessary risks with the ball.

If the Eagles can get a solid performance from their quarterback, whether it be Young or Vick, it will help them stay in the game.

LeSean McCoy

With DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin showing up on the injury report this week, not to mention the unlikelihood that Michael Vick takes the field, the Eagles will need to rely more heavily on their rushing attack to gain any sustainability on offense.

LeSean McCoy has been among the league's best running backs this season. With ball control being such an important factor in this week's game, the Eagles would be best served to lean heavily on the third year back out of Pittsburgh.

By the same token, if McCoy can deliver and keep the Eagles offense moving without having to risk putting it up in the air, it will allow the team to control both the clock and the ball—two factors that are vital keys to victory against the Patriots.

Joselio Hanson

Regardless of whether or not Nnamdi Asomugha is able to make his way onto the field on Sunday, Joselio Hanson will play a critical role for the Eagles.

If Asomugha is able to play, Hanson will be tasked with covering the slot receiver, and if Asomugha is out, then Hanson will start opposite Asante Samuel. In either case, Hanson will need to play at another level to keep from allowing Tom Brady to expose the Eagles' coverage as the Birds are already thin at corner thanks to an ankle injury to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

The Patriots offense relies on Tom Brady to move the ball down the field. If the Eagles can limit the success that the Patriots are able to find in the passing game, it could force the ball out of Brady's hands—an ideal situation for the Eagles defense.

Trent Cole

In Super Bowl XLII, the New York Giants laid the blueprint for opposing defenses on how to stop Tom Brady. The most important piece of that blueprint is constant pressure from the defensive line on Brady, keeping him from getting comfortable in the pocket or establishing a rhythm in the passing game.

Trent Cole has had a successful season thus far in 2011, and if he can continue that success this week, it will help to keep the Eagles in the game with the Patriots. In the "Wide-9" defensive front the Eagles employ, Cole is given one job—attack the QB.

Cole will look to get to Brady early and often from his defensive end position and disrupt Brady's rhythm and vision. If he's able to accomplish that, the Eagles will have a chance to keep their season alive for another week.