Game Preview – MIN at PHI
Posted: January 21st, 2018 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 527 Comments »
Win the week.
That’s been Doug Pederson’s message all year and it stays the same this week. This is the NFC championship game, but the Eagles need to handle their business the way they’ve done all year. I wrote about that for PE.com.
The Eagles are at their best when they are loose and aggressive. They need to have fun and play with emotion. You can’t do that if you’re uptight and focused on trophies. Just go out and play football. Beat the Vikings and win the week.
Seeing this made me feel good.
https://twitter.com/JClarkNBCS/status/954744108815454208
That’s the Eagles team I want to see on the field.
Now let’s talk about the game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Big V vs Everson Griffen – Griffen had 13 sacks this year and is an explosive pass rusher. He is especially dangerous for Big V because he can win with speed and power. If Vaitai sets too hard to the outside, Griffen can attack him directly and drive him back toward Nick Foles. We’ve seen Vaitai struggle with power rushes in multiple games this year. If Vaitai tries to set strong so he can anchor well, Griffen can fly around the edge.
The Eagles must have a good plan for Griffen. They need to use TEs, RBs and even WRs to chip block him. They need to run screen passes and draws to his side, using his aggressive style against him. And running at him to wear him down would be wise as well.
Eagles CBs vs Thielen and Diggs – This is the most dangerous pair of WRs the Eagles have faced. Sanu and Jones from last week were good, but the Eagles matched up well with them (bigger, more physical guys). Thielen and Diggs are outstanding route runners. They can get open with crisp routes and good athleticism. Darby and Mills are aggressive CBs. They like to take chances. If they guess wrong, Thielen and Diggs could burn them.
Those guys will be dangerous after the catch as well. Think about how the Giants caught passes in space and then turned those into huge plays. The Eagles must tackle well and keep things in front of them.
Vikings blitz vs Eagles protection – Minnesota isn’t afraid to rush extra players. They have outstanding cover corners so they can take chances and still feel good about the back end of the defense. Foles must read the blitzes accurately before and after the snap. He needs to make quick decisions. You don’t want him holding the ball and backpedaling. RBs must read the blitz and know whether to block or go out for a pass. The O-line must do their part as well. Foles isn’t a QB who can create a lot on his own. He needs good protection.
Nelson vs Newman – The Vikings have really good outside corners so it makes sense to attack their slot guy with Agholor. Terence Newman is a smart veteran, but Agholor has an advantage with speed and quickness. Agholor is dangerous after the catch and this would be an ideal game for him to break off a big gain.
Brandon Graham vs Rashod Hill – Hill has good length and has played well at times. He is a tall OT who can be too upright at times. Graham, only 6-1, can be effective by staying under his pads. Graham can also use power moves and drive him back toward Keenum.
STRATEGY
Minnesota loves to use picks and rub routes. Those are especially effective on 3rd and short or medium. If they can run the ball effectively, that will put them in good 3rd down situations and help their passing game. The Eagles have dealt with picks all year long, but they can be troublesome.
The Eagles must keep Case Keenum in the pocket. That means rushing the passer under control. Collapse the pocket and make him throw in traffic. He’s still good there, but Keenum is most dangerous when extending plays. The Eagles have faced guys like Alex Smith, Cam Newton, Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson so this won’t be new to them. Keenum also might remind you of Kirk Cousins.
The Eagles must stick with the run. Foles isn’t going to carry the offense. Even if the run is only marginally effective, it helps to keep trying it. That will give play-action passes and RPOs a better chance to be effective. Plus, you don’t want the Vikings rushing the passer play after play. You want the Eagles pounding on their front seven.
NON-STARS TO WATCH
Corey Clement – If the Eagles want to throw to the RB as a way to negate blitzes, Clement is the best receiver. He’s also a good pass protector. He could play more than usual.
Torrey Smith – The Eagles opened up last week by throwing deep to Smith, who was open. It won’t shock me if they throw deep to him again this week. At the very least, it gets the defense’s attention. Weather won’t be much of a factor today so the deep ball has a much better chance to work this week.
Tom Johnson – The least known of the Vikings DL, but Johnson is a good player. The Eagles OL must do a good job on all the Vikings DL. Focus too much on Linval Joseph and Johnson can beat you.
THE PICK
The Eagles don’t need to be perfect this week to win, but they can’t be as sloppy as they were last week. Maybe some of that was rust. Regardless, the team needs to play a cleaner game this time out. Home-field advantage does make a difference. There is no question that the Eagles are better at home and the Vikings aren’t as good on the road.
I think the Eagles defense can keep the Vikings under control. They’ll need to do that because I just don’t see Foles winning a shootout. I do feel encouraged by the way he played in the 2nd half last week. Foles got into a good rhythm and moved the ball effectively. I know most of that was short throws, but no QB has played well in the last few games at The Linc. The cold and the wind shut down Derek Carr, Dak Prescott and Matt Ryan as well as Foles.
I trust Doug Pederson, Frank Reich and John DeFilippo to be able to carve out just enough offense to win this game. The Eagles have found a way to move the ball and score against teams all year. Carson Wentz was the key to a lot of that, but don’t ignore the play-calling, blocking, running and pass-catching done by the players who will be on the field today.
The Eagles have only lost two real games this year, at KC and at Seattle. Both were road games against tough teams. Both losses involved lots of Eagles mistakes. When this team plays good, clean football, they win.
Eagles 19
Vikings 13
_
Eagles 30
———–
Vikings 13
Eagles 20
Vikings 13
ok I didn’t see the article didn’t realize I was Price is Right’ing to Tommy so I will switch to my typical 10+ point win.
Eagles 24
Vikings 13
Big V is gonna be a big key to this game
Watch the RT starting against Graham today and tell me if u would rather have him or Big V.
Big V is ok, not good but ok
serviceable, being nice
Agree that Graham is a bigger mismatch than Griffen.
Fletch Cox’s time to establish his greatness
Tommy —
Great work . . . in a season of great work.
______________
E – A – G – L – E – S … Eagles !!!!
How much do we win by?
Should we worry about another bye week lull/ is that a real issue with this team
Think Brady dyes his hair?
He has his wife do it for him ..
Was feeling a 19-17 win all week, but now I’m thinking a more comfortable 23-13.
At risk of making myself look even more stupid really quick, I actually think the Jags are going to win, and Brady’s hand won’t be the major reason why.
Now your coming around.
I like Jenkins but he’s no Dawk
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/18/malcolm-jenkins-philadelphia-eagles-2018-nfl-playoffs-jim-schwartz
Few can compare w Dawk as all time Eagle greats. .. but Dawk detractors say he never elevated if not just disappeared in playoff games … Jenkins has that chance now to put the Team on his back and make the plays that make the difference
No Dawk destroyed Crumpler in the play offs, never took a play off
Thats almost blasphemy! lol
Yeah but Crumpler caught it, so net effect wasn’t a plus for us
..
The example of his devastation that i use was when he crushed Daunte Culpepper at the goal line, made him fumble and pretty much started the end of his career .. ive never been able to find footage of that hit
Despite the HFA and the Viking’s struggles on the road, Case Keenum and their O has a major advantage over our O with Foles, at least given what we’ve seen so far this year. Keenum is actually the #1 rated QB by DVOA this year, and simply put, they’ve been very good despite his lack of pedigree. Special teams is a wash, and our defenses are a wash. The D is certainly capable of choking them out, but if I had to bet a lot of money on this game, I’d have to give the edge to the Vikings.
That being said, I am hoping our D-line can get up in his grill, and hopefully the back 7 have been practicing their tip drills.
Who has the much better Oline? Who has better coaches. This is gonna be a brawl
Go Jags!
Jalen Ramsey better perform this game after all the shit he talked lol.
Rookie mistake that will follow him. . just like the Saints rookie DB
Man I know dion Lewis is elusive but when you have that many guys behind you you gotta go up and try to tackle him before he gets the cheap 5 yards.
Dion is going to kill them today. Can’t pass outside. They are going to really lean on him.
I doubt it, the Jags have a ton of speed, especially Jack at LB.
Jack is pretty much a RB playing LB
I hope I’m wrong.
Why didn’t Dion Lewis make our team again ??
Chip kelly
Who ?
http://newarena.com/nfl/re-drafting-the-incredibly-impressive-2017-nfl-draft/8/?amxt=fbdt_avnt2
2017 redraft has us taking RB
Killin’ time
GROSS
I don’t know. No idea until Jones plays regularly next year and if he is a No 1 CB.
Eagles only have one dynamic player maker on offense with some speed in the open field (Agholor).
Imagine Pederson would have had a lot of fun drawing up plays for McCaffrey would be a perfect fit for Foles right now especially today.
Likely would have seen his share of matchups vs Vikings LBs which would have been a mismatch the Eagles could have readily exploited.
Hooker >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> McCaffery
Very different comparison though.
No not really. Hooker is the center fielder that we need on D and McCaffery is barely a gadget player. Talent is talent.
Still rather have Jones if he lives up to the billing as being the best CB/next best after Lattimore in this draft.
This pass rush (and leads this year) help to cover up for the secondary all season long and I’m still one of the few guys who still thinks Mills is a poor fit as an outside CB due to his speed and acceleration.
Why are you talking about Jones and our CBs?
Because of what Eagles did vs what occurred.
Understand this new mock draft has the Eagles taking McCaffrey instead of Hooker which doesn’t make much sense.
I liked McCaffrey but thought he was a poor fit in the first round where the Eagles were at because he was never going to be a guy who could/would be a regular every down RB rushing the ball.
Struck me more as a late round 1st round but more of a 2nd round pick instead.
Id rather have Clement than McCaffrey straight up
No.
McCaffery is not even top 32 worthy.
holy shit Brady is slowwwwwww
I don’t understand how Telvin Smith is all pro. I haven’t watched him all year but he was getting smoked last week and now this week he doesn’t look much better.
Telvin Smith on a WR = no no
See, come up and tackle him man don’t let Lewis just run at you and get free yards.
Not a bad start for the Jags. Took the Pats bet shot with a 4th down conversion, still held them to 3.
They played that screen really really well. So many teams get juked out of their minds by those misdirection plays. Jags D is legit, the Pats are going to have their struggles on offense today.
Unsurprising start. Now the real matchup begins. This game is only interesting if the Jags can do anything on offense.
Get emm
In Bortles we trust?
That’s the question, does he turn into a pumpkin today? Same with Keenum, Foles…
not watching, so….Brady’s hand hurt? I assume not.
#Fakenews
He has like a cut, it’s not stopping him but it is there. It just won’t hinder him.
One of the arguments that came up was that good weather in Philadelphia is a bad thing because it helps Keenum.
I’m going to take the opposite point of view and question whether the good weather will help Foles even more.
Remember, here’s a guy that threw the ball well against the Giants and then struggled against the Raiders and Cowboys before relying on a short passing game to beat the Falcons. In every game, but the Giants game, Foles had to play in less than ideal conditions for passing. Maybe I’m grasping at straws, but is it possible that with the good weather predicted, Pederson will go all out, instead of limiting the game plan?
Patrick Chung got blown the fuck up there lol.
https://sports.theonion.com/is-case-keenums-relationship-with-god-distracting-him-f-1822278095#_ga=2.219958490.276711380.1516565875-976518937.1516565874
Eagles have to exploit Keenum’s relationship and constant focus on God.
Best was a Facebook comment about ‘well Keenum better hope that Jesus can help block the Eagles DL’ and someone else posted that ‘Well he is an All-Pro Cox blocker historically’
The Jags didn’t look impotent there on offense, but… they didn’t put any points up. Jags can’t afford to go too long without scoring.
Think they could of scored if the throw to Yeldon wasn’t behind him.
I still think that the patriots are a better matchup for us. Who are you guys rooting for?
my god no just stop it. Jags 100%. Don’t prefer the 5 time winning SB team.
They lost twice to a team built similar to ours.
That Jags D is loaded with talent, I think either matchup would be tough for us.
Getting there AND beating the Pats. ..hah that would be all time of All TIME
yes with our backup QB it would be awesome. But we have a better chance against Jags.
Only if Foles throws for 7 TDs again
huh? that was the Raiders.
I want it to happen again soon. Maybe today actually.
I personally think if the Jags win it will be tough to match their energy similar to when the Seahawks smashed the Broncos.
The patriots have shown they are beatable in the SB. They have lost twice and needed a miracle comeback/stupidity by the falcons to win last year. They have never had a Blow out win in the super bowl either.
QB is the most important position on the field.
Bortles is not good.
Brady is arguably the GOAT.
I really don’t think the Jags’ defense, which is good but not great (it’s given up 40 points twice in the last month), makes up for that disparity.
I think you are all scared of ghosts of patriots past. This patriots team is not that good. This Jaguars teams seems to be getting better and better.
I agree they’re not that good. But Bortles put up 10 points against a mediocre Bills defense. I have confidence that a good defense like ours would murder him.
The rest of the Patriots aren’t great but Tom Brady is still formidable.
All you talk about is how it’s a team game and the fact that we can win with Foles. The patriots team isn’t very good. I’m know Brady is the GOAT, but our team is better than theirs. I don’t know that our team or QB is better than what the Jags put in the field.
The other 52 count even if QB counts the most it isn’t everything.
Never ever the Patriots. I don’t care if it’s to save all of humanity.
I’m with Goblin here.
Let nothing but pain and misery befall that franchise.
While I don’t quite agree with you, I think there’s at least a decent case the Jaguars are a tougher matchup.
I cannot under any circumstances root for the Patriots however.
Looks like the Jags will at least tie it here. The Pats don’t seem to have their usual liveliness.
Pats heat up in 2nd half usually
Move those chains
Yes!!!
There’s the Patrick Chung we all know and love!
Pats D was terribull on that drive. The great Chung!
Hey now.. Belichick said he’s one of the best players in the entire NFL, didn’t he?
I would much rather have Foles against that defense than the jags
but you have to play against the other team’s O too.
I like our defense against the patriots. They cannot consistently block our front 4. They can’t run the ball on us. Brady would get his, but we’d control the clock with our run game and minimize his opportunities.
Hah.
Oh my
Pats D had so many breakdowns that drive, so uncharacteristic. Also the Jags were able to run up the middle even with the Pats expecting it. Gonna be a long day for that D if they can’t stop the run.
The Pats’ D is not good.
Brady thumb looked like it affected that almost pick.
Maybe spending like 85% of your cap space on your defense isn’t that bad of an idea once in awhile.
Didn’t Giants do that ’16?
Yes but the Giants suck and they deserve it.
http://www.genti.stream/nfl-network/
Cunningham football life
If Gipson had realized no one would touch that pass he would have had the easy interception.
Another wide open Jag…
lol, Death Rowe 5 yards off the receiver then missed the tackle.
Grandpa hips on full display on that play
Corey Grant looking like Corey Clement out there
Man, this Patriots defense is atrocious. If they get torched by Blake Bortles in this game, Belichick’s reputation as a genius who can turn chicken poop into chicken salad has to take a hit, no?
It’ll all fall on the DC’s head. There’s always a fall guy for the legends.
The DC just got hired to be the new head coach of the Lions. Inexplicably, as far as I can tell.
Why does Romo pronounce it Jag-WIRES?
That’s how I always pronounced it haha.
There’s no push when Fournette tries to bang inside
Jags OL is obliterating them.
lol. Patriots.
It drives me nuts when people say Jag-wires. Tony Romo finding new ways to annoy me even as a broadcaster.
That’s how everyone I know says it. Guess we’re not highbrow enough lol?
Do they possibly have CTE too?
I reckon if I knew what CTE wuz I might’n be able to answer that.
It’s like a center/TE new position
Smash mouth football at its finest
This game is going quick…going how I called it
RobNE
What now? I’m confused.
Only game wrong so far is when I picked the Saints last week
Ok I remember. But it’s the second qtr.
Never seen brady look so scared before. Living in NE i watched almost all the games…
it’s cool
Lol forgot the handle switch from Howie Littlefinger…
Jags vs Eagles SB
This is great but until Jags have a lead in the 4th I’ll barely pay attention. I’m going to take a break and go do some cardio.
Ramsey and Jack look terrifying.
Gronk got away with his usual OPI on that.
No holding call???
Remember that time the genius Bill Belichick traded Chandler Jones for a 2nd round pick? Boy could the Pats use a pass-rushing All Pro OLB.
Belichick is so arrogant…
Rightfully so. It is willingness to repeatedly cheat and then play ‘Sgt. Shultz’- I know nothing/only knew limited details’ when he gets caught that has always aggravated me.
Meh..he’s never proved it without Tom Brady and they should’ve won more Lombardis. He also cheated.
Best NFL coach ever even if he doesn’t win another SB.
He didn’t just have a 3 or 4-year run where his team dominated and just getting to as many Super Bowls as he has has been ridiculous.
Not to undersell what he did as the Giants’ D coordinator too. They beat a historically great Bills’ offense in the Super Bowl largely because of his scheming.
Brady was a better coach than him.
How many Patriots coach of the week honors did he get?
He also traded Jamie Collins for a second rounder. You might even say they could use two of them.
Jags D is scary good man.
Not as good as the Eagles though;-)
I kinda want them to lose now LOL
Wow, did Brady look scared on that third down. Felt ghost pressure like 3 times.
Damn people were saying Fowler is going to bust but that man is looking like Von Miller out there.
Jax going to win SB, just like i predicted in the offseason….. ……
BTW, did the Vikings have a rude German awakening last night?
Sorry for a crummy picture but German Eagle and I got to meet! Fly eagles fly! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ea48a8e9082079852e5ff5c857a301798a43905e034ff732777598cd00a2d6c3.jpg
Let’s not dance on their grave yet. Very early. I’ve seen this. Maybe this time is different but I won’t believe until it’s over.
Watching the empire crumble in real time is enjoyable
You guys are killing me
At least I’ve been saying it since before last week
Finally Brady gets to face not one but two great defenses if he even makes it out today
The Steelers were in a very similar situation last week and Roethlisberger brought them back to make it a game.
The Patriots aren’t dead until the clock hits 0:00.
Bottles is no Matty Ice;-)
Yes he will know better and Marrone better too
You have the Belicheat slayer in Tom Coughlin watching over them as well.
True
Loving this game so far
Jags defense is playing well so far but the Pats’ offensive game calling has been perplexing to say the least.
holy shit that throw and catch
Bortles has been replaced by a pod person.
He just committed a delay of game penalty after a timeout and then took a 10 yard sack… let’s not get too excited.
Still had an A- first half so far. Missed one throw all half.
Lots of wide open players and going against a horrid defense but I gotta give him some credit.
Agreed, he’s been way better than I expected he’d be, but he just did a couple classic Blake Bortles things.. I’m not going to assume he’s a different guy just yet.
He only needs to be a different guy for another week.
Wow I thought Bortles stunk so what does that say about the Patriots D?
He’s stepping up though for sure !
just got here. how does brady look?
Honestly, a bit scared. Jags are playing physical and are giving out some pain to him and his receivers.
Its been fun to watch.
Bortles has been the better QB today
The Patriots suck and the Jags are making life very difficult for Brady.
Eagles fans are letting their hate of the patriots cloud the fact that the Jaguars are a much tougher matchup in the SB.
Nope. They are the 2008 Rays. Bring’em on.
I think you can make a case that the Jags are a slightly tougher matchup.
To say that a team quarterbacked by Blake Bortles is a “much tougher” matchup than a team with possibly the best QB/coach duo in NFL history is going way too far.
I think for us it is much tougher.
Against the Jags I think we’d really struggle offensively. We already have to manufacture offense with Foles. Their strength agains our weakness is a greater advantage than our strength vs their weakness. Plus we won’t have HFA like we do against the Vikings.
Against the patriots we can run the ball, control the clock, and still be productive offensively. We would pressure Brady similarly to the way the Jags are doing today. I think we could make him have to work for everything he gets and limit his opportunities with a ball control offense.
Anything can happen in the Super Bowl, but this patriots team does not scare me one bit. I’m confident we would beat them.
They do seem similar to the Vikings — even better defense though. Offense may not be as good but they have a better runner.
Eagles would struggle to score for sure, but so might they. But we are going to be in that type of game today, probably.
HFA will hopefully ply a major role today and is the reason for my optimism. Put us on a nuetral field and I think we lose to the Vikings. I think the Jaguars are playing their best football of the season right now and are better than the Vikings.
Hard to disagree with either of those points.
k, this is a Qb driven league.
It’s funny how our narratives change. When people say we can’t win with Nick Foles, “it’s a team game”. When it comes to the wanting the patriots, an inferior team “it’s a QB driven league.”
I trust our defense to take away another team’s strength. I don’t trust our offense to overcome a very good defense. If we had Wentz I’d be saying bring in the Jags all day.
BTW I wanted the saints for the same reasons.
I don’t think the narrative has actually changed.
Pretty much everyone agrees that it will be harder to win a SB with Foles than it would’ve been with Wentz. Not impossible, but we’re swimming upstream trying to do so. Why? It’s a QB-driven league.
That’s a good case for the Pats being a slightly easier matchup, but not a much easier matchup.
As good as our defense is, Brady could easily shred it. I will almost always take the matchup against the inferior QB.
why didnt they run the clock down before 2 mins
Here comes a TD
He was tackled in bounds. Refs helping Patriots.
That was so stupid by Boye, he had perfect coverage, why shove him?
something something script by Goodell
Awful
the wr was the one who shoved
I didn’t see that, but I didn’t really see a replay either.
Told you. Everyone can stop saying it’s over now.
what an ass hittin him in te helmet
business decision
Patriots are going to score a TD here, and this game will be 31-14 New England by the end of the 3rd quarter.
Yep
Enough time for JAX to do something.
Like commit a stupid turnover? Sure.
That was a crazy stupid penalty by Boye. If that was someone on the Eagles I’d be so pissed off.
Why no unnecessary roughness penalty for taking White to the ground when he’d obviously broken the plane?
Yeah that was weird. I don’t understand it.
That is arguable though I’ve never seen it called on goal line plays like that since defenses are going all out to stop players. It was at the end of a play where the initial contact was natural, but yeah, that throwing to the ground bit should have been unnecessary.
He was already like four yards deep in the end zone. There’s no way you can make a case he was trying to stop him from scoring.
The initial contact happened right over the goal line, and it was a continuation of that. But I agree the throwing to the ground part was impossible to defend.
Jags having a 14-3 lead will make their loss feel even worse
Marrone. Most talkative coach on sideline winner.
It’s so refreshing to hear a coach admit that a call against their team was a good call.
Why wouldn’t you try to go for 3? DID YOU NOT SEE THE SUPERBOWL LAST YEAR
Kind of a wimp move really, kneeling there. Doesn’t say good things about the confidence they have in Bortles lol.
Bortles wasn’t even playing bad too, he made some great sideline throws ffs.
I can understand not throwing it in first, but see if Fournette can get a chunk.
Shorten the game. Jags have the ball coming out. Pats just scored, so don’t give them any opportunity to build momentum on that. Take your lead, regroup on defense to cut out the penalties.
I would agree if they weren’t moving the ball well but they were moving the ball well. If anything they stopped their own momentum.
I long, grinding drives, not chunk plays.
Those chunk plays were coming off of throws to the sideline. They had their timeouts too.
Or they could have gotten momentum. That’s something you do with 15-20 seconds left
So they don’t even try to run a play to get in position to score with 55 seconds left?
I understand that your QB is Bortles and you don’t want to give them the ball back, but a team that can’t take advantage of those kinds of opportunities is going to have trouble knocking off the champs.
Gutless
If Gronkowski is allowed to go back into this game the NFL’s concussion protocol is a complete joke and nobody should ever take the league’s claims to care about head injuries seriously again.
Agreed. Was going to post something similar. He got rocked and thought he was playing water polo on Mars. No way he should be allowed to return, except the rules don’t apply to New England.
Jags’ O Line deserves more credit than Bortles does I think.. they are letting him stand back there until somebody gets wide open over and over.
Chung getting trucked teehee
Former Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio is a leading candidate to become Pat Shurmur’s defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, league sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22169003/former-oakland-raiders-coach-jack-del-rio-leading-candidate-become-new-york-giants-defensive-coordinator
2 hours!
Starting to get nervous lol. I’m glad the Pats game is on to take my mind off of things.
Go Jags!
half the time i see an outrageously bad play in an nfl game, it’s a rollout
Says volumes about how the Jags see Bortles too. He’s made like 4 big throws already this game and they still give him a 1 read rollout on 3rd and 4.
And it’s almost picked
The concept itself makes sense if you have trouble protecting your QB in the pocket. The problem is that more than half the time there are only one or two receivers out on the route on that side of the field. You can at least run three levels and stretch the defense out that way if you’re going to cut the field in half.
That’s a strength of Keenum.
Rolling out into Brandon Graham?
These Dr. Pepper ads with the Prince wannabe really annoy me.
Almost as bad as the Dilly Dilly commercials.
Nothing’s that bad, but they’re close.
i feel like a tool, but i like the budweiser commercials. feel free to slap me if i repeat the motto, thouh
It’s all in good fun. Bud lite is what they would serve in “the good place”
Dilly Dilly I can take. The mini prince dude is goofy.
Vios must have spent a billion $ recently .. at least
It’s because they’re diet soda commercial. Diet soda is the worst and apparently so are the commercials
Philly fans are so hyped, they are beating each other up already.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/01/21/brawl-breaks-out-among-tailgating-eagles-fans-hours-before-kickoff/
Embarrassing.
You know that any incidents in Philly go straight to the national headlines. Guys have been drinking and are fighting over grill spots or something.
They do, and the national media is always eager to jump on this story.. which is why the morons among the Eagles’ fan base shouldn’t help them.
Surprised there aren’t a lot more …drunks in a parking lot, lots of testosterone, and all with hot chicks around..
I bet Brady doesn’t use neosporin because it’s not organic
Ramsey with a beast play.
If the Pats score a TD here the Jags are in trouble.
You can’t dance with the champ. Gotta knock him out if you get a chance.
jeez, brady is filthy. he dropped that bomb in cook’s breadbasket, even though double covered
Fuck Brady.
This is why claiming that his team would be an easier matchup than one with a team quarterbacked by Blake “my coaching staff only trusts me to throw a one read rollout on 3rd and short in the opposing team’s territory” Bortles strikes me as lunacy.
yep. elite qb = cheat code that can wipe out the natural talent of a team full of athletes.
Yeah, we saw that with Wentz this season. How many plays which the opposing team had defended perfectly did he nevertheless turn into big gains based on a great individual effort? I honestly lost count.
Oh no the Jags are crumbling
I can’t believe that there are still people who count out the Patriots in the first half. You’d think people would’ve learned their lesson by now.
Why aren’t they talking about Cam Robinson being out? That’s a huge loss for the Jags. Of course pressure is going to ramp up when your starting LT goes out.
Doug would’ve gone for it.
Belichick is coaching a remarkably conservative game here.
Maybe thinking Bortles is due for a Bortles.
Not a bad strategy. Pin him deep and wait for him to implode.
good defense, no Gronk
bad call imo
It makes sense on the theory that the only way Bortles can hurt you is if you give him field position.
Unfortunately his defense sucks. Seriously, if this was any team other than the Patriots, Patricia would be on the hot seat rather than being a hot HC candidate.
Keep it close to look for a 4Q rally from Brady..?
Jags better score soon or the Pats are going to snake this game out. Cannot let the Pats hang around.
Go Eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good take, Steve.
Robinson back -> Jags moving the ball.
Get Bortles back into rhythm, Fournette is not getting hot.
Rowe got steamrolled lol.
Anyone miss Eric Rowe?
Didn’t think so.
Dave does.
Don’t see how it’s possible to think Rowe is good and Mills is bad.
People want to see what they want to see.
Maybe the same ability physically but he may liked Skittles and his badass gamey approach
I’ve loved that trade since the get go.
No idea what he is or isn’t doing .. but I never was sure, but guess we finally know
bortles is pretty fast
What was the spread on this game?
Jags +9. Looking like they’ll cover the spread even if they lose.
instead of relying on brady to convert 3rd and 4th, belichik put it in the hands of a questionable defense.
Gotta give the Jags credit – I thought they chickened out at the end of the first half and the Patriots would make them pay. But they’ve taken a punch and kept going. With Gronk out the Patriots have their work cut out for them against this defense.
Jags with 2 score lead to start 4th quarter. DE-FENSE! DE-FENSE!
I want to see if the Jags choke and start playing too conservatively.
Jags score the FG but it will be a nail biter until the final second. Grin officially out with concussion
Jags get the fumble! ohhhhh
Against a lesser defense that might go for a touchdown, but Jack tracked it down and not only made the tackle but forced a fumble. Great play.
That’s a fumble. Defender is down at the spot. I don’t see enough to say Lewis regained control.
Fumble stands, right?
Has to. Lewis never came close to reestablishing control.
Any other team, I would have been sure.
Does it bother anyone Church took Gronk out? Good strategy or lame?
Lame but effective
i’ve seen worse hit – luck of the draw really
I don’t think it was a deliberate cheap shot.
Yep, clean hard hit.
I thought he went for his head.
He hit him in the shoulders first but Gronk is so tall that they banged helmets in the process.
got ya. That makes me feel better about it.
How would you feel if that was Ertz?
Well that obviously would have been a cheap shot, but since we’re far more neutral in this case, it was a hard hit on a fast play. Did not look at all intentionally dirty. he’ll still get fined though.
It’s a physical game. Bang bang plays happen in the secondary. He was trying to stop Gronkowski from making the catch. Don’t think it was a dirty play, wouldn’t have felt differently if it happened against the Eagles.
Maybe I saw it wrong. I thought he went for his head.
it does me. he hit a tall guy in the helmet.
No it was a bang bang play, he did not mean to hurt him. He was trying to stop him from catching the ball.
Wow, Myles Jack holy shit.
makes a good play look terrible.
o.m.g.
Grind the clock!
69 Saw Jack coming and just ignored him
Go for it.
play field position trust the D
Who was the ahole on the media that said this would be New England’s easiest Superbowl trophy ever
i heard several people say that
The NFL commentariat has been remarkably inaccurate in their prognostications this season.
Big stand by the Pats and choke by Jags, they needed points off that turnover
Yea. You don’t play conservative against the Cheatriots.
Jack would have run the fumble back for a TD if the refs didn’t blow it dead by mistake.
Refs bailed them out
It’s been happening to them all season. The worst was the BS call against Safarian-Jenkins on the Jets.
“by mistake”
The refs just stole a TD from Jacksonville with blowing that fumble dead. It was a clear fumble and it didn’t look like anyone touched Jack before he got up and ran.
I think he went to the ground due to contact from Lewis. He did get away with spiking the ball on the field too, can’t do that.
That was before anyone had possession. It looked to me like he was not touched after he gained possession.
Your are definitely right about spiking the ball.
Rolling around with the RB, he was touched
It looked to me like he was not touched after he had possession.
Isn’t it the same as a receiver, touched on the way to the ground is enough, regardless of when possession is established?
Man Cooks is killing Boye on those comebacks.
Cooks has been killing them all game
It’s just Boye really.
Sacksonville!!
I’m back what did I miss
The prelude to the comeback we fear.
dammit
i think we want the jags to win
I don’t know. I like the Jags but I don’t want to play that D.
Yep. The Jags’ defense is ferocious but Brady is never going to be anything other than very hard to beat.
Terrible D, let them convert a 3rd and 18
Dammit again.
Why did I turn this on
You live in NE and you hate yourself. Explains why you’re also an Eagles fan.
Wow how did Jack not break that up.
holy crap.
They’re just attacking Boye over and over. If the Jags lose this he’s the goat.
too fast! too easy guys.
how do they make it look so easy
They execute.
Find a weakness and exploit it over and over. They’re throwing a shitload at Boye because he’s playing so soft.
brady does a lot of work with his eyes looking guys off.
They have a great QB, everybody knows their role, and they have smart, fearless play callers.
They’re a dynasty for a reason.
Jags getting zero pressure and not blitzing, just letting Brady stand there forever and pick out receivers
How are they so tired with the TOP advantage and an immobile QB?
drew brees needs whatever drug brady’s been using. brady’s arm looks really strong!
It must be the ceramic pjs.
(and expensive, secret drugs.)
Blessings from the abyss from the cult of Belichick.
Jags need another long drive, score points and control the clock
i used to play that video game.
Looks fun. The game was great
same. don’t know how they could turn that into a movie.
I was about to make fun of a movie where you watch people play a video game, when both my boys said they wanted to see it.
There was a facebook movie so why not?
Prevent defense vs Brady. Like watching the ending of Of Mice and Men.
I think this is where we see the Seahawks/Falcons style choke job from the Jaguars.
inactives today LB Dannell Ellerbe
CB Sidney Jones
WR Marcus Johnson
DT Elijah Qualls
DE Steven Means
RB Wendell Smallwood
OT Will Beatty
ellerbe is unfortunate…
I know, really unfortunate. Ugh
what about vikings?
Teddy Bridgewater, QB Kyle Sloter, DT Shamar Stephen, RB Mack Brown, OG Danny Isidora, DE Tashawn Bower and C Cornelius Edison.
Not the safety?
Nope 🙁
who read that MMQB article about gene steratore? very interesting.
Cliffnotes?
Went with the refs for typical week. Every game scrutinized and the refs are scored. Only those scored well will ref the playoffs. If poor can lose job. They really perseverate over every call
Did Gronk come back will he be out next week
hes out for game
Big first down
did you see that crazy wedgebuster flying out like a drag racer?
Patricia’s thinking “I’m glad I got the Lions job before I ruined my head coaching prospects by losing an AFC Championship Game to Blake Bortles when I have Tom Brady on my team”,
no flag????
dunno about wide open…
Forget the tie pats will just score a td
Yep. Have seen this movie way too many times to think the ending will be different.
allright jags, time to D up.
C’mon Jaguars!!! Beat the Cheetahs!!!
zeebras?
Guys in Patriots Pajamas, have some pride!
They bought Patriots pajamas, pride is a long distant stranger.
If Boye doesn’t start playing this is over. He’s playing so soft it almost looks like a zone even if they’re in man coverage. I don’t know why he’s scared of getting beat deep, the one time they tested Cooks on him deep he had perfect coverage.
He got beat a few times. Brady was barely off target on some of those throws to Cooks.
Boye wasn’t in coverage on those. They got Cooks on a linebacker a couple times.
Too many times. Amendola too
Jags shudve run that punt
bortles really needed to get that first. have to assume pats go up by 4 on this drive.
Or the Jags get another take away
If you’re scared, get a dog. except for you Micheal Vick.
def PI.
Legit call tho, Ramsey horse-collared him while the ball was in the air.
Pats get an insane amount of PI calls
Wow that’s terrible. If Ramsey looks for the ball sooner it’s an interception. Awful awful awful.
That was definitely a bad penalty…
They swapped Ramsey onto Cooks because Boye was getting wrecked and then immediately commits a terrible penalty.
Zeke Elliot never got called for DPI in a championship game. Just sayin’…
Sounds like one of those “Blake Bortles facts”.
what a stop.
Coulda been an interception if Ramsey hadn’t panicked.
conservative…. gonna lose that way
Jesus, the Jags just won’t stop running strait at this front, run a toss play or something jesus.
Play-action-pass here or stick with the run?
Jags just broke the NFL record for drives beginning at their own 10yd in a Conf. Championship game.
This is why you want to play jags
You will always be in the game against the Jaguars, because they don’t trust their QB to go for the throat.
Bad throw. He had him if he put it out on the sideline.
I still would rather have the Pats, but I think we can stop Fournette much like the pats have done this 2nd half
muuuuch rather have the jags.
Trust me you’re not alone
Just st stop.
Stop saying we could slow down Fournette?
You are going to get your wish if we make the SB, and I still think you’re crazy for wanting to play the Pats.
rowe sighting
used up 30 seconds. good job,….
They somehow failed to get the one benefit of conservative play calling, time off the clock. Atrocious.
It’s over
they might score too fast tho.
Cmon, Bortles is not going to get a game winning drive.
I’m know right. Hahaha.
hold them to fg, then lead drive for walkoff FG?
Horrible!
They’re giving it away…
jags trying to make this a team loss?
Ball move when he hit the ground. That’s questionable.
Perfect coverage … siiiiiiick catch
Jack is down…bad! He put no weight on it.
Another reason to play the jags
need the other view ass holes.
Wow that ball kind of looked like it hit the ground. Can’t overturn it though I think.
FYI- that was the same reason Jack was ruled down. Contact on the way to the ground, even though prior to possession.
They actually never ruled addressed whether he would have been ruled down. The refs initially ruled the runner was down and there was no fumble and blew the play dead. Since they blew the play dead, they can overturn the non-fumble call, but cannot give back any fumble return yards (even if it was clear the defender was not down).
Man it’s not even our game and I’m feeling bad for the Jags
Why?
feel bad they have to keep rolling with bortles.
Because he’s and his coach are scared?
maybe because he knows how this feels.
Dareus on ground.
Love that play call
Nothing worst than an underdog that’s scared to win.
Bortles face lol, he just realized shit, I’m gonna have to try and win this game.
if jags win, the defense will be beat up.
I mean they won’t win but I agree
Darius isn’t moving.
all this without gronk
at least in our game we have to backup qbs
Pats taking all the clock
plenty of time with TOs
For Bortles?!?!
Blake MF Bortles.
just saying, i dont think time is the issue.
of course.
Fricking danny a
What a catch.
And the game is on the shoulders of Blake Bortles.
what human sacrifices have NE made to deserve this?
They still haven’t found MH370.
Yoooo you moron push him out. Dude just stands there with his foot right near his hands. Jesus.
People who thought the Jags had this game won were crazy.
I can’t fathom wanting to play the Patriots rather than the Jaguars in the Super Bowl.
Jack rubbing Achilles, looks like a tear.
Bad news for Jags fans…
his season only has 3 min left anyway
Next year.
beautiful body control
Here it is, 2:48 and Blake Bortles comes onto the field…. lol. This ends in disaster for the Jags.
Pick six is +140 over strip sack.
Those who had your money on strip sack, you win!
Bortles scrambles for a 87 yard TD, still loses because there’s 2 minutes left on the clock. That would be some shit lol.
allright Blake, this is 70 million on the line here.
How come Blake hasn’t run at all in this game?
I was thinking that he same thing.
lol at them playing “in your head”
Man this Patriots defense is SOOOOOOO bad.
…that Nick Foles will pick them apart.
If DeDe doesn’t fall…he coulda broken it for a score..he’s fast.
thought he had him
Stop underthrowing dude
lol, you can’t take a sack there man throw it away.
Of course
2 more plays
What a disaster
How do you get sacked there, heave it to the sidelines or something, terrible.
Bortles.
Blake.
He didn’t wat h the SB last year?
You get sacked there because you’re Blake Bortles, and you’re bad at football.
don’t throw stones from glass houses
Foles is a backup, not a guy who was the #3 pick in the draft and supposed franchise QB. Different expectations.
He dropped his head down, big mistake.
Maybe the Jags will actually get a penalty call to get bailed out.
LOL
bortles sad face look
Run a screen here. Pats are going to be coming.
My dislike of NE is reaching Dallas levels.
I hate them, but you have to respect them.
I hope we dont need to rely on Saint Nick to win in the Superbowl in the last 2 minutes.
Get upfield.
Dilly Dilly
Blake Wake.
Underthrown again
He needed to keep leading Westbrook towards the sideline there, but give Gilmore some credit he recovered well.
That was a hell of an effort by Gilmore.
Like I said, underthrown. Game set Match.
they’ll win here.
Jags’ll give it a go next year with Eli or Cousins.
F-in NE.
Great defense my ass. You don’t give up a first down run on 3rd and 8 if you want that title.
Jack out. Did Dareus come back too?
Doesn’t matter, it’s still totally inexcusable. They were in I formation, the run was obviously what was coming.
True but Jack’s a big loss for them.
Man that was terrible.
Hold on the edge.
Jags covered.
Not to look too far ahead, but we could beat this Pats team.
If we had Wentz I think we’d be favored.
gronk will play in sb
we have nick foles
We could, but it won’t be easy.
That is enough.
See, this Minnesota game is a trap game!
Hope is eternal. I know all about it.
It wouldn’t have been easy against Jax either. Both are tough matchups.
I don’t disagree with that, but I think the Patriots are tougher merely because of the QB disparity, despite being an inferior team at every other position with the exception of TE and WR.
If you get the Jags down by 10 points, they’re toast because their QB is Bortles. The Patriots are never out of it because their QB is Brady.
sure, we could–nah, I just can’t see it. I mean, any given Sunday, but…
The jags were maybe a delay of game from beating the pats. Chances would be low, but not impossible.
some pretty clear holding on that play. but bortles wasn’t getting it done anyway
So add Jacksonville to the list of teams that’s choked against the Patriots in the playoffs.
Ok fuck the Patriots, we’re on to Minnesota.
New post: http://igglesblitz.com/2018/01/gameday-kill-keenums/#disqus_thread
What have we learned today? if you want to beat an elite QB, you don’t want a close game. if you’re up, you need to keep the boot on that neck.
100%. Teams psych themselves out. Don’t be afraid to lose or you will.
Well, here we go, boys! Eagles hosting the NFC Championship!