Green Bay Packers: Winning out starts at the Philadelphia Eagles
By Brad Miller
Aaron Rodgers has made a name for himself predicting how the Green Bay Packers will perform against the viewpoint of the public.
His soothsaying began when telling everyone to R-E-L-A-X after the Packers started the 2014 season 1-2. The Packers went on to finish 12-4 and finish an onside kick away from the Super Bowl.
With the Packers struggling again this year, this time at 4-6, Rodgers is back at it again. During a press conference this week, he told the media the Packers can ‘run the table’ and make a push for the playoffs.
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Maybe he is supposed to say that. Maybe he believes that. Maybe his crystal ball is leading him in that way. Maybe the coaching staff wants him to say it. Maybe he’s trying to keep his teams’ moral up for the final stretch.
Either way, he is right. The Packers can win out. There is no team on their remaining schedule that looks like the makings of a long day: Eagles (5-5), Texans (6-5), Seattle (7-3-1), Chicago (2-9), Minnesota (6-5) and Detroit (7-4).
For now, let’s just start with the Monday night game against the Eagles.
The game in Philadelphia is very winnable. The Eagles are still getting acclimated to a new coaching staff with former Packers QB Doug Pederson while starting and growing a rookie QB in Carson Wentz. The Eagles started the season on fire pushing out to a 3-0 record with wins over the Browns, Bears and Steelers. Since then, they have had their struggles going 2-5 since.
The Eagles are led by a solid defense, headed by Fletcher Cox and Malcolm Jenkins.
Cox is one of those guys who, like the Packers’ Mike Daniels, has a motor that just won’t quit. The man is always in on every play. LB Nigel Bradham has been a pleasant surprise for the team, leading them in tackles with 63.
On the offensive end of the football Philly has some familiar names at the specialty positions. Wentz has put together a decent rookie year with 11 touchdowns and 2,339 yards passing. He threw just one interception in his first five games, but has six in his past five.
Former Chargers running back Ryan Mathews has produced seven touchdowns on 539 all-purpose yards. Mathews has been notorious throughout his NFL career for not being very durable and that has been a concern with his game.
The Eagles also have the multi-purposed Darren Sproles at running back. The often-overlooked 5-foot-6 scat back has contributed 319 rushing yards while collecting 304 yards in the passing game. He has four touchdowns to his name.
The receiver position is being led by Jordan Matthews who has quietly caught 639 yards, as well as tight end Zach Ertz. Ertz is second on the team with 337 yards.
The Packers have some offensive momentum coming off the Washington game from last week. The offense played fairly well. Well enough to win. Yet, the Packers have to play defense too. Just when the offense would get within striking distance, the defense would take a backward step.
Good news for the Packers this week may come in the news that starters linebacker Jake Ryan and cornerback Damarious Randall might return. That should relieve the pressure on a defense that sure could use the help. Maybe Dom Capers can now run the defensive schemes to full effect instead of just throwing together a patch defense to get 11 guys on the field at the same time.
If the Packers truly believe that they can run the table then putting together a complete game against the Eagles is where it will have to start.
On offense, the Packers need Aaron Rodgers to be on the same page with all his receivers, especially WR Jordy Nelson and TE Jared Cook.
On defense, a strong pass rush from veterans Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers and Mike Daniels will get QB Carson Wentz off his game. The DBs need to keep the Eagles WRs in front of them. Capers will need to disguise some coverages to keep Wentz guessing. With the returning players this is more possible.
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Let’s see if the Packers can start their run on Monday night in Philadelphia. Let’s hope that Aaron Rodger’s prognosticating skills continue to hold true.