Quarterbacks could be at risk
The Eagles and Packers love to throw the ball. They each also have struggled protecting their passers. That makes for a potentially high-scoring game between teams with talented receivers, but a game that could put their quarterbacks at risk of a mauling.
The Eagles and Packers love to throw the ball.
They each also have struggled protecting their passers.
That makes for a potentially high-scoring game between teams with talented receivers, but a game that could put their quarterbacks at risk of a mauling.
Here is a look at the teams:
Eagles' strengths
The talented receiving corps highlights the Eagles' offense, with electric
DeSean Jackson
and tough
Brent Celek
joined by
Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant
, and rookie
Riley Cooper.
The Eagles finished in the top 10 in passing yards and passing touchdowns in 2009, and finished fifth in overall scoring.
You may have heard, though, that all of that was with a different QB. The big question of the season is whether Kevin Kolb can keep the offense humming. That issue looms especially large this week, as the Eagles take on one of the most prolific scorers from 2009.
On defense, the Eagles spent much draft capital to grab Brandon Graham and try to upgrade their pass rush. With Graham and Pro Bowler Trent Cole on the ends, the Eagles hope to generate pressure with just four linemen. If they can do it against a shaky offensive line, defensive coordinator Sean McDermott can leave more bodies to cover downfield.
Eagles' weaknesses
No one knows what to expect from the offensive line. What we have seen so far has not been pretty.
The Chiefs came streaming through gaps in Kolb's protection when we last saw the starters, in preseason week three. Kansas City used the 3-4 scheme favored by the Packers, creating a variety of blitzes for the young quarterback to decipher.
The Eagles hope the returns of C Jamaal Jackson and guards Todd Herremans and Nick Cole will change things. Jackson's experience should help, but he is just eight months removed from ACL surgery and did not play in the preseason. We haven't seen his quickness or endurance, and the group has not played together since December.
On defense, the Eagles struggled to cover TEs last season. Until we see otherwise, pass coverage remains a concern.
Packers' strengths
Only
Drew Brees, Brett Favre
, and
Peyton Manning
threw more touchdown passes than
Aaron Rodgers
' 30 in 2009.
Fueled by the passing attack, the Packers ranked third in the NFL in scoring - averaging 28.8 points per game - and sustained drives by converting on 47 percent of their third-down attempts, also third-best in the league.
With Rodgers throwing to WRs Donald Driver and Greg Jennings and TE Jermichael Finley, expect more of the same approach.
On defense, the Packers thrived on taking the ball away, leading the NFL with 30 interceptions. CB Charles Woodson, the 2009 AP defensive player of the year, led the team with nine interceptions and took three back for TDs. The Pack also finished first in rushing defense, though that might not be as much of a concern for the pass-happy Eagles.
Packers' weaknesses
The Packers' pass protection was atrocious early in 2009, when the team gave up 41 sacks over its first nine games.
Things improved for the last seven weeks, when the Packers yielded just 10 sacks, thanks in part to the return of RT Mark Tauscher.
But their total of 51 sacks was still worst in the NFL, and Rodgers was pounded again in the playoffs. He was sacked five times in a wild-card loss to the Cardinals.
You hear that, Trent Cole?
On defense, Green Bay did well overall - it finished seventh in points allowed in 2009 - but when we last saw the Packers they were giving up 51 points in their playoff exit.
They were missing starting CB Al Harris then, and he remains out to start this season.
Adding to their secondary concerns, S Atari Bigby is also out. That leaves the Packers to start reserve CB Tramon Williams and rookie S Morgan Burnett, perhaps giving Kolb and the Eagles receivers an opening.