Eagles v Vikings

Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6)

Minnesota Vikings at a Glance:

The Vikings came into this season as many peoples underdog sleeper pick for the Super Bowl. With the addition of Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen as well as Bernard Berrian, a tall fast wide out from Chicago, big things were expected from this team. Not to mention the best runing back in the NFL, Adrian Peterson. However, throughout the season, the Vikings were dissapointing. Quarterback Tavarius Jackson was benched after 3 games, and Gus Ferrotte had to step in to keep the team afloat. Thankfully, there were competeing in the weak NFC North, and were able to wrap up the division on the last day of the season. It has been an up and down, but mostly dissapointing season for the Vikings.

Last Time the Teams Met: 

It has not been long since these two teams squared off in Minnesota. Last season, the Eagles went into Minnesota and handed the Vikings a 23-17 loss. The Eagles were able to hold Peterson to 70 yards on 20 carries, and held the then Minnesota Quarterbacks Kelly Holcomb and Brian Bollinger to 184 total yards. Meanwhile, the Eagles offense thrived, with Donovan McNabb throwing for 330 yards and 1 touchdown. Brian Westbrook had a average day, with 46 yards catching and 46 yards rushing, and 2 touchdowns. 

Lets take a look at how the Eagles have faired in the past in the playoffs:

Eagles Offense in the Playoffs:

Believe it or not, this will be the first playoff game for Donovan McNabb since the Super Bowl 4 years ago. Overall, in his 12 games in the playoffs, McNabb has thrown 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with a quaterback rating of 80.1. That is slightly less then his career quarterback rating in the regular season, which is 85.9. So he has not exactly been lights out in the playoffs for the Birds. Westbrook has totaled 472 yards rushing, 188 yards receiving, and 5 touchdowns in his playoff career. Overall, they have led the Eagles to an average of 21 points in the 14 playoff games. 

Eagles Defense in the Playoffs:

The Eagles defense under Jim Johnson in he playoffs has been good. In 14 games, they have allowed an average of 18 points. That is not a dominating number, but if your defense lets up 18 points, that gives your offense a great chance to win the game.

Andy Reid in the Playoffs:

Andy Reid has not won the Super Bowl, as many people in Philadelphia like to remind owner Jeffery Lurie. But, he has had some playoff success. Each year Reid has led them to the playoffs, he has advanced them at least past their first game. He is a perfect 6-0 in the first game of the playoffs, whether it be the wild card weekend or the divisional round. However, this will be Reids first time opening the playoffs on the road, where he is a mere 1-3 lifetime. 

Now, onto todays game:

Eagles Offense vs Vikings Defense:

The Eagles offense, despite what many people think, is actually one of the best in the NFL. They finished 6th in the league in points per game, at 26 per contest. They excelled at passing the ball (or just did it all the time), and finished the season averaging the 6th most passing yards per game, at 244. Running the ball was a weakness for them, and they finished 22nd in the NFL at only 106.1 yards per game. 

The Vikings defense has its strengths, but also some glaring weaknesses. They excel at stopping the run, allowing only 76.9 yards per game. However, since the Eagles hardly ever run the ball, that will probaly be a non factor in this game. The Vikings are able to pressure the quarterback, and if they get to McNabb, it could be a long day for Eagles fans. But if McNabb gets the ball out, good things will happen. The Vikings are weak agaisnt the pass, and are ripe for big plays through the air. They were 18th in the NFL at stopping the pass, so look for Reid and McNabb to exploit that. If McNabb can hit DeSean Jackson over the top once, that should open up the running game. The Eagles offense should have a big day if it can do at least 1 of 2 things: hit a long ball early to back the defense up; or get the running game going. If the Eagles can run the ball, it could be a huge day for this team.

ADVANTAGE: EAGLES

Eagles Defense vs Vikings Offense:

The Vikings offense begins and stops with one player: Adrian Peterson. Unfourtunatly, he is hard to stop. He led the league in rushing yards and finished with 10 touchdowns. Quarterback Tavarius Jackson has a strong arm, and if he can hit Berrian for a long ball, it could spell trouble for the Birds defense, which would then have to not put as many people in the box. The Eagles defense, however, is one of the best in the league. They were in the top 5 of points allowed, passing yards allowed, rushing yards allowed and total yards allowed. If they can stop Adrian Peterson and put the ball in Jacksons hands, hes going to throw an interception. And the Eagles have cornerbacks that can take it to the house. In the past, the Eagles have not been a team that gets lit up by big name players. When Jim Johnson schemes to stop one player, they usually stop him. 

ADVANTAGE: EAGLES

Analysis:

The Eagles needed alot of things to happen for them to get in the Playoffs. Maybe Billy Penn was looking down on us when the Raiders beat the Bucs, and the Cowboys decided to send the practice squad into the game last week. While the Eagles season has been up and down, you can feel it rising up now. They are a team that will not die. So while the game is in Minnesota, I don't expect that to be a factor. They are a veteran team, and the game in Minnesota barely even sold out. Expect alot of Eagles fans there, and they will be lound. The only way the Eagles lose this game is if they come out and play awful. They will not get ratteled by 1 long touchdown run by Peterson, or by a slow start and the crowd getting into it. If the Eagles come out and even play just a B+ game, they should be able to get out with a victory. I expect them to shut down Peterson, or at least contain him. I also expect big days from Jason Avant and DeSean Jackson.

PICK: EAGLES