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I don't usually put any value on matchups. You know, the "which team has the better WRs" thing. That stuff is sometimes soooooo Jimmy The Greek and meaningless because the WRs don't cover each other and face off against one another. They face the opposing DBs. Same thing with the QBs, they try to beat the defenses, not each other. But it can help to do some analysis here. It gives one an idea of which team you trust more with your money because of the value of it's components. I will try to do one of these for each of the Playoff matchups. Today, it's GB vs Philly. Comments and disagreements, as always, are welcomed from all.
Packers at Eagles
QB: Edge to GB -- I know there's going to be some argument over this, but it's no contest. Though Favre sometimes used to panic in big games (If you want proof, go back and watch old matchups with Dallas, Minny, Etc) and throw rockets that couldn't be caught, he has learned to channel his emotion and energy into one of consistent performance. In my opinion, he's the 4th best QB of ALL TIME! He will make mistakes, infact more than most great QBs, even in big games. But that's because he will try to WIN games, and often does, with his ability. That's something you don't see from most "West Coast" quarterbacks. He will make a few plays when things break down, and though he needs more things to go right then some great QBs (running game, etc), his big game performance is getting back to a level it used to be. Mostly because he trusts this group of receivers more and the running game is one he can get behind. He will play well, especially because of the emotion aspect.
McNabb is one you have to watch to appreciate. I have never been one of these losers that automatically say he's great like some of the media have. But he gets things done even though his numbers are not eye popping. He will find a way to make plays with average receivers. When he's not afraid of being type-cast as a black QB that can only run, he makes plays with his feet that can win games. He still falls into the Culpepper thing where he panics and lets the ball slip out of his hand for no reason. When things go badly, he can really fall into a rut. But he's mentally tougher than most guys and in the Playoffs, he quits worrying about what the media thinks and just plays. This guy has always been a winner. He didn't play well against TB last year in the NFC title game, but he was still not 100% at the time. When the Eagles run effectively, watch out. When his confidence level is high, he's better than Culpepper. Better than Garcia. Better than most. I don't think GB will bother him so much that he'll be ineffective. Still, this is a no brainer with Favre playing at such a high level.
Running Game: Even -- Oh, I realize the packers have been running the ball well, especially since Brett's dad's death. But this Eagle running game is a good one. Highly underrated. When it works, McNabb is really good. Normally, I make fun of these coaches that run the ball too much. They wonder why they lose a close game, when they never tried to score, but instead tried to "control the clock" and "keep the defense honest". But since the pack will try to run the ball as well, the eagle offense can be conservative and not lose ground too early. Andy Reed will impress upon his guys (OL) that this is a must. He's going to put the game on their backs and they probably will respond well. There's a bad taste in their mouth after what TB did to them in the Playoffs last year. I think Duce will have a good game, as he realizes it's his ball now, with the injury to Westbrook. Staley wants a shot to prove he is worth the money he asked for before the year started.
The reason I say it's even is because this Packer OL is also on a mission. They have been opening things for "Batman" and I think they can handle the pressure of playing on the road.
WRs: BIG Edge to GB -- This is a no brainer. I have noticed that the WRs for Philly have been trusted to make more and more plays this year. Especially on those slants that McNabb sometimes has to throw up high because you don't always have a throwing lane. But if you've been watching the packer wideouts, they have shown a BIG improvement this year. Ferguson can go deep. Freeman had a big drop against Seattle, but Favre still trusts him on those crossing routes and digs. Driver is a big play guy. This passing attack has improved over the year. Favre did not play well early, and it had nothing to do with the other guys. Even with healthy receivers, he didn't get it done enough. But now he's letting them do their thing, and they've responded. This will be a BIG test of the Philly DBs.
DEFENSE : Slight edge to Philly -- I think the rest is just what the doctor ordered for the eagle defense. They were rarely healthy this year, so their defensive stats suffered. But take a closer look at how many points they gave up. Frisco did punish them in week 16, and that is scary. That was a home game they needed at the time, and they were coming off a so-so performance against Miami. I would rate this even, but I think they respond in this environment. Home with a week's rest is big for this "D". Jim Johnson can throw enough at Favre to give him problems.
I put defense in all caps for a reason. Though most people overrate this "defense wins championships" bullshit, I think it wins this game. Both offenses are confident and can get it done. They faced the opposing defense just 2 months ago, and will not fear what they go against. But the defense that comes up with the "little plays", stopping the run on 2nd and 10 (both coaches love to run on 2nd and long), and cover well enough to force the QB to not throw on time (BIG in the west coast offense) will win the game, IMO. I know GB has a good defense, but Philly comes up with more little plays this week. Their DBs will keep the big plays (by GB) to a minimum, and they won't give up many big runs when there are 8 or even 9 in the box.
OVERALL: I have not yet bet this game. I am leaning towards Green Bay plus the points. But, as many already know, the percentages are with the higher seed in this round. It is rare that the underdog ****** yet doesn't win, yet that's what I'm predicting at this point. Philly, 20-17.
Other matchups are welcomed on the playoff games this weekend. I'll get started on those games tonight if nobody else posts a thread on them. Good luck.
Packers at Eagles
QB: Edge to GB -- I know there's going to be some argument over this, but it's no contest. Though Favre sometimes used to panic in big games (If you want proof, go back and watch old matchups with Dallas, Minny, Etc) and throw rockets that couldn't be caught, he has learned to channel his emotion and energy into one of consistent performance. In my opinion, he's the 4th best QB of ALL TIME! He will make mistakes, infact more than most great QBs, even in big games. But that's because he will try to WIN games, and often does, with his ability. That's something you don't see from most "West Coast" quarterbacks. He will make a few plays when things break down, and though he needs more things to go right then some great QBs (running game, etc), his big game performance is getting back to a level it used to be. Mostly because he trusts this group of receivers more and the running game is one he can get behind. He will play well, especially because of the emotion aspect.
McNabb is one you have to watch to appreciate. I have never been one of these losers that automatically say he's great like some of the media have. But he gets things done even though his numbers are not eye popping. He will find a way to make plays with average receivers. When he's not afraid of being type-cast as a black QB that can only run, he makes plays with his feet that can win games. He still falls into the Culpepper thing where he panics and lets the ball slip out of his hand for no reason. When things go badly, he can really fall into a rut. But he's mentally tougher than most guys and in the Playoffs, he quits worrying about what the media thinks and just plays. This guy has always been a winner. He didn't play well against TB last year in the NFC title game, but he was still not 100% at the time. When the Eagles run effectively, watch out. When his confidence level is high, he's better than Culpepper. Better than Garcia. Better than most. I don't think GB will bother him so much that he'll be ineffective. Still, this is a no brainer with Favre playing at such a high level.
Running Game: Even -- Oh, I realize the packers have been running the ball well, especially since Brett's dad's death. But this Eagle running game is a good one. Highly underrated. When it works, McNabb is really good. Normally, I make fun of these coaches that run the ball too much. They wonder why they lose a close game, when they never tried to score, but instead tried to "control the clock" and "keep the defense honest". But since the pack will try to run the ball as well, the eagle offense can be conservative and not lose ground too early. Andy Reed will impress upon his guys (OL) that this is a must. He's going to put the game on their backs and they probably will respond well. There's a bad taste in their mouth after what TB did to them in the Playoffs last year. I think Duce will have a good game, as he realizes it's his ball now, with the injury to Westbrook. Staley wants a shot to prove he is worth the money he asked for before the year started.
The reason I say it's even is because this Packer OL is also on a mission. They have been opening things for "Batman" and I think they can handle the pressure of playing on the road.
WRs: BIG Edge to GB -- This is a no brainer. I have noticed that the WRs for Philly have been trusted to make more and more plays this year. Especially on those slants that McNabb sometimes has to throw up high because you don't always have a throwing lane. But if you've been watching the packer wideouts, they have shown a BIG improvement this year. Ferguson can go deep. Freeman had a big drop against Seattle, but Favre still trusts him on those crossing routes and digs. Driver is a big play guy. This passing attack has improved over the year. Favre did not play well early, and it had nothing to do with the other guys. Even with healthy receivers, he didn't get it done enough. But now he's letting them do their thing, and they've responded. This will be a BIG test of the Philly DBs.
DEFENSE : Slight edge to Philly -- I think the rest is just what the doctor ordered for the eagle defense. They were rarely healthy this year, so their defensive stats suffered. But take a closer look at how many points they gave up. Frisco did punish them in week 16, and that is scary. That was a home game they needed at the time, and they were coming off a so-so performance against Miami. I would rate this even, but I think they respond in this environment. Home with a week's rest is big for this "D". Jim Johnson can throw enough at Favre to give him problems.
I put defense in all caps for a reason. Though most people overrate this "defense wins championships" bullshit, I think it wins this game. Both offenses are confident and can get it done. They faced the opposing defense just 2 months ago, and will not fear what they go against. But the defense that comes up with the "little plays", stopping the run on 2nd and 10 (both coaches love to run on 2nd and long), and cover well enough to force the QB to not throw on time (BIG in the west coast offense) will win the game, IMO. I know GB has a good defense, but Philly comes up with more little plays this week. Their DBs will keep the big plays (by GB) to a minimum, and they won't give up many big runs when there are 8 or even 9 in the box.
OVERALL: I have not yet bet this game. I am leaning towards Green Bay plus the points. But, as many already know, the percentages are with the higher seed in this round. It is rare that the underdog ****** yet doesn't win, yet that's what I'm predicting at this point. Philly, 20-17.
Other matchups are welcomed on the playoff games this weekend. I'll get started on those games tonight if nobody else posts a thread on them. Good luck.
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