Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Game Preview – MIN at PHI

Posted October 7th, 2018 | Comments Off on Game Preview – MIN at PHI

Vikings at Eagles. Contenders or pretenders? Today will give us a clue about both teams.

We’d love this game to fit in a storyline.

One of the valid points Chip Kelly made in his tenure came after an OT win over the Cowboys in 2015. Reporters wanted to know if that game could be a launching pad for the Eagles. Kelly explained that football doesn’t work like that. You win or lose each week based on what you do that day. Sure enough, the Eagles lost the next three games.

One of the real strengths of Doug Pederson has been the ability to get his team to truly focus on one week at a time. Win today and that gets you to 3-2. It doesn’t mean anything beyond that. Focus on what is directly in front of you…what you control.

If the Eagles have that kind of focus today, they should win this game. If…

This certainly won’t be an easy game. The Vikings might be 1-2-1, but they have talent. And some inside info.

Players and coaches move around the league every year so we probably make too much of this, but it certainly doesn’t hurt the Vikings to have this information. The Eagles know Flip talked to them so they will plan accordingly.

I wrote my preview for PE.com.

The Eagles need to win the LOS in this game.

That is two spots where the Eagles have a distinct advantage…LDE and DT. Graham and Cox need to win those matchups. They need to make plays.

MIN has a distinct advantage with their WRs against the Eagles secondary. If the guys up front win often enough, the Eagles can negate that advantage. This isn’t just Jalen Mills against Stefon Diggs. It is Mills/Graham/Cox against Diggs. That helps quite a bit, but only if Cox and Graham win their battles.

The rushers need to be disciplined. Cousins ran for 48 yards in two games vs the Eagles last year. He’s not the most elusive or fastest, but he can make plays with his legs.

Isn’t it time for Nigel Bradham to have a big game? He’s been quiet this year.

I don’t know what to expect from Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense. The Vikings defense is vulnerable, but the Eagles have been erratic. This would be a fantastic time to have a breakthrough game. It would be great to see the Eagles score 28 or 30 points.

Go win this game.

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Vikings Talk

Posted October 6th, 2018 | 3 Comments »

The Eagles are ready to host the Vikings for the third year in a row. There are some trends from those games.

Minnesota scored first

In 2016, they led 3-0. Last January they jumped out to a 7-0 lead

Eagles Strike Back

The Eagles quickly took control of those games and led for three-plus quarters. They were up 18-3 by the middle of the third quarter in 2016 and led 24-7 at halftime last year.

Big Time Red Zone D

There were Red Zone takeaways by the Eagles in each game. Rodney McLeod and Corey Graham had interceptions. Derek Barnett had a strip-sack. Getting stops is good, but coming up with takeaways is great.

DL Made Big Plays

The Eagles came up with strip-sacks in each game. Getting to the QB is good. Coming up with the ball is even better. The Eagles D-line played well in both games. Jim Schwartz also mixed in the blitz effectively.

Big Targets, Good Results

Big WRs delivered Red Zone TDs in each game for the Eagles. Dorial Green-Beckham (hard to believe, I know) and Alshon Jeffery used their size effectively.

*****

I’m sure the Vikings are sick of playing in Philly. The Eagles are incredibly tough at The Linc under Doug Pederson. I’d love to think playing at home makes Sunday an automatic W for the Eagles, but there are no guarantees in the NFL.

Sunday is going to be a major challenge, with the Vikings feeling really desperate. The Eagles aren’t exactly in the catbird’s seat themselves, sitting at 2-2.

Both teams will need new guys to help out on Sunday.

The Vikings have four DEs. Two of them are out on Sunday. Danielle Hunter and Stephen Weatherly will have to play a lot of snaps. I’m sure Mike Zimmer will have some other players help out at DE. LB Anthony Barr was a good pass rusher in college. Rookie DT Jalyn Holmes played some DE in college. Sunday will be his first NFL game.

CB Trae Waynes is out so rookie CB Mike Hughes will need to come up big.

Eagles rookie DE Josh Sweat will be active for his second game, but should actually play on Sunday with Derek Barnett out. Dave Spadaro wrote a piece on Sweat being ready to help out. I certainly hope he is, but I wasn’t overly impressed this summer.

Sweat is saying all the right things.

Now he’s got to take what he’s done on the practice field to gameday.

“Even when I’m on scout team, I’m supposed to be giving a look as (a member of) the other team, but within the framework, I’m working my technique that I’m taught and a lot of times I have the freedom to do it. I get to go against Pro Bowlers every day. Some people don’t look at it that way. I’m looking at it as the game, honestly.”

Sweat says he is a totally different player than the one the Eagles drafted, citing his technique, his explosiveness, and his knowledge of the game. All of that will come in handy on Sunday against a veteran Minnesota offensive line and a powerful offense.

“It’s what I’m here for,” Sweat said. “I’m ready if they call my number.”

Last week Avonte Maddox made his NFL debut at safety. He could see even more work there this week. That’s tough against anyone, but especially against one of the best WR duos in the league. The Eagles love Maddox so that’s the reason they’re willing to get him on the field in a new position. He’s got the skill set to play there. He’s also got the right mindset. Maddox is tough and ultra-competitive. Challenge him and it will bring out the best in him.

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