Minny Getting 10 against the T.O.-less Eagles??

[RJeremy]

Wow,

That number seems very high to me. Philly is not even close to the same team without T.O. They have no passing game, and no deep threat. Minny looks pretty damn good getting 10 pts. here. They might win this one outright.

[casheasy]

That's not a bad bet, RJ

Vikings are actually better than people think and even more mentally tough. Tice may be a meathead but his team does get behind him enough to be a "good" team. But in this case, I may lay off the Vikings. Here's why....

Sure, T.O. is out, but Randy clearly is hobbled by that ankle. I realize he usually heals quickly, but he won't be 100%, and he really has been bothered by that back since the hamstring injury healed. That said, the vikes can clearly put points on the board with anybody, now that their MVP, Culpepper, has improved to the point where he makes fewer dumb plays and more big plays. He uses "Wiggle" and Nate Burleson enough to drive defenses crazy.

But this is a game where the Iggles will almost definitely win. McNabb will get the ball to Westbrook and Mitchell, and Jimmie Johnson will give the Vikings offense fits with his blitzes. You saw the last two weeks how the Vikings just can't block very well this year against a good pass rush. The Pack couldn't capitalize, but the iggles will. So they'll win the game, but now the problem is by how much. Depends on if the Vikings melt down in the second half, like they have very often the past 7 weeks. It seems as if every opponent has a better coaching staff that makes adjustments better than Minny does. I know this is an overblown statement usually in the NFL, but with this team it really applies. They just can't score in the second half like they do in the first.

I'll decide later who I want to bet, but I am really looking at Philly Phlakes right now. Good thread though, RJeremy. Good luck this week.

[weisspalow]

Everyone keeps saying no TO no TO. This is the best Eagles team yet in the playoffs and thats because they finally have Westbrook part of their playoff team. Plus Moss is hobbled and asking Vikes to play another perfect game in cold outdoor conditions is asking much.

[mark30]

The Vikings have no shot to beat the Eagles. The Eagles have 3 pro bowlers in the secondary that can shut the passing game. The run defense the second half of the year only allowed 90 yards a game.
Plus even without T.O. the vikings still wont be able to stop the Eagles offense. McNabb and Westbrook will have a field day.
Eagles 34-17

[10DimeBry]

Eagles soar in this game then choke next week in the title game as usual.

[wass21]

philly wins this game and ******. tanke it to the bank.

[wass21]

i say philly wins by at least 2 touchdowns.

[bgold7]

Thanks for a great season

RJ, wanted to thank you for the time you put in here. I do not post too much but I feel I can add something to add to your quality thread. I agree Minny looked very good yesterday against a weak GB team. Especially watching DC stand in the pocket for what appeared to be forever to find open recievers. Most NFL QB's would have had a great day with that time. Rest assured he will not have that time vs the Eagles, Jimmy Johnson will pressure the hell out of him. Hollis Thomas is back as well as Braassmanis. Their D line is healthy and rested. Offensively they should have enough weapons without TO who is mending very well right now and has a legit shot to be on the field if they make it to the super bowl. Look for Westbrook to line up occasionally at the Wide out spot in third and long situations. Also, this will be the THIRD week in a row that Minny is on the road, a great situational capping stat, Washington (last week of season) and Green Bay this week. Should be fun and good luck whichever side you are on, your definatly one of the best here!!
Thanks again

[philadelphiaFan]

looking for a sportsbook anyone no of any good ones to join

[BigTicket]

I thought the same thing RJ when I saw the amount of points the vikings were getting. I believe the vikings do have a chance to win this game. I don't think the eagles have the best team they have had since getting in the playoffs the past few years. Look at them down the stretch, they lost their luster. But all these points almost screams trap to me, because so many people will want to take the vikes, especially with the philly layoff and the way they have looked without TO. I think this is a tough game to call, but I really feel the vikes will play the eagles close. The vikes lost the game themselves that they played in philly earlier in the year. Playoffs are a new season, and it's possible that the vikings are a much better team right now than a few weeks ago. Just as you can't say the vikings 6-0 start makes them a good team, you can't claim with 100% certainty that the eagles are a great team because of their run through most of the season. I realize I am a vikings fan and am biased, and always will be!!

just my $.02

[eaglesfan]

The eagles are a better team then they were last year ......westbrook is healthy and the defense is alot better specially with addition of kearse........also mcnabb isnt playing with cracked ribs like he did vs carolina

[twr108]

I agree RJ. The Eagles are as weak as they were last year when Favre, Donatell, and Sherman choked in the Divisional Playoff Round. 4th and 26 should have been a useless play and drive. If the Packers; 1) Before the end of the first half go for it from the one yard line without running the stupid counter play--game all but over at the half. 2) Go for it from the Eagle 45 on 4th and inches, the Packers were blowing the Eagles off the ball and would have easily got the first down--ballgame over. Had to blow off some steam after yesterday's debacle in Lambeau.

EASY COVER for the VIKES

[maverick2112]

This is by far the best Eagles team in the last 4 yrs..........Heres why

In 2001 the lost a tough game on the road to the Rams......the were to young
In 2002 they lost the divisional final to a TB team that just got hot at the right time and McNabb was kind of hurting
In 2003 they limped into the playoffs and made it to the chapionship game but in reality they were just to banged up......no westbrook, defense was iffy, secondary was banged up and with no running game their passing game could really be defensed.

Now on to 2004.......yeah no TO but with Westbrook healthy, McNabb healthy. and a recieving group of Pinkston,Mitchell and a good TE in Chad Lewis...the offense will be fine..........Now the reason they will win the NFC.............Defense.......with the addition of Jevon Kearse and return of Jeremiah Trotter the Eagles have a defense with the ability to rush the passer and let the best secondary in football cover the recievers............In some ways the loss of Owens will rally this team at least enough to win the NFC...........the are tired of getting to the championship and falling short...........This is their year to make it to the super bowl..........get on this bus now......You know I hear everyone talking about Manning, Brady, etc but McNabb may be the best of the bunch and I still give the eagles a good shot to win the whole enchilada even if they dont have TO.............

[eagles5]

it's funny how the press and people keep talking about no-TO and all the sudden every NFC teams can beat the Eagles. Eagles themselves are better talent-wise & healthier than they have ever been. McNabb has his best year, Westbrook is healthy & defense is better with Trotter back & finally there is a pass rusher in their defense. I'm not saying they can't be beat but i'm saying as a team, they are in a better shape than the previous teams they have in the playoffs. In my opinion, the Eagles always struggle against teams with good-enough offense but have a strong defense (Tampa, Carolina, Pittsburg..see pattern here?) but I'm sorry, but Vikings's D just can't stop anybody and bad D can't turn into a good D in just one game. Not the way Farve played; not with their running back who kept fumbling the ball or receivers who weren't the same page with their QB. Vegas knew people will use that game to make a betting decision and that's exactly where they want you to be.

[CHICHImomo]

re

Eagles primary reciever on Sunday is Todd Pinkston.

Eagles love to play man coverage on defense and send extra people on the blitz, that will open things up on the outside for Moss to go 1 on 1 with Lito Shephard who is undersized versus a bigger and faster Moss. Not too sure if blitzing a mobile and big physical QB like Culpepper is the answer either...

If Moss is healthy and Minnesota Defense doesn't have a complete breakdown I can see Minnesota pulling off an upset, regardless I think the game will be played close. The points seem like the best option here.