Good point. Ajayi has a tendancy to fumble too. Ball security, in pretty much all circumstances, will be critical.Based on the extended forecast it's likely to be a sloppy track. Rain all day Friday and Saturday morning, and showers likely up until game time.
At first blush I think this works in the Eagles' favor, as it favors the ground-and-pound approach and neutralizes the speed advantage of the Falcons' back seven. Also it might put a kibosh on Pederson's desire to get cute with the type of "short passes are just as good as runs" game plan that his mentor loved so much in the playoffs.
Counterpoint, I don't love the prospect of a wet ball in the hands of an offense that's already fumbled 25 times this season (including Foles' 6 in four starts ... ugh).
In general the "team with fewer turnovers wins 85% (or whatever) of the time" stat is overblown, but I really think it's going to hold true on Saturday.
First time a 6 seed is favored over a 1 seed ever. The disrespect is real and I’m sure this is going to provide some extra motivation for the Eagles.
Outside of the Dallas game where we rested starters we have been undefeated at home. The defense has been amazing at home and I expect the crowd to be even more into the game. If we can get to Ryan a few times early and set the tone with the running game we should come out on top. We can’t have any ofbte stupid mistakes the Rams made the week before.
Ya I don't really think it's a 'disrespect' thing, but I do agree that they will call it that in the locker room. Facts are facts, we aren't as good without Wentz. I think the spread is where it should be. With Wentze we'd likely be favoured by 6 points.The difference between Wentz and Foles is probably at least 7 points in the spread.
I love your optimism. I hope you are channeling your inner KarnackI believe that Doug is a really, really good offensive play-caller. He's learned from Andy, who was great in his own right. He's also learned from watching Andy how NOT to manage in game adjustments. We always have all our timeouts at the end of a game, he's stopped abandoning the run after a few carries like Andy always used to do (still does). My contention is that he has some really good plays that they've been holding back on. I posted this in the eagles thread, but the last two weeks of the regular season were about as blah an offense as could be. I'm reminded of the game that Elliot went out and they attempted 2-point conversions every time they scored. Wentz was sorta #####ing about tipping their hand on the 2pt conversion plays that they wanted to hold off on in to the playoffs. I believe that Doug is going to come out with a lot of 2-back sets and offensive plays that haven't been put on film yet.
Foles is what he is: a good-not-great QB that can get some wins if he manages the game and isn't asked to do too much. We've averaged about 29 carries a game this year. If we can get closer to 40 carries: Ajayi about 20, Blount 10 and Clement 10, we'll stifle the ATL offense and keep the ball out of their hands. I've got full faith in Doug to make good adjustments and continue to run into the third and fourth quarter. Home field advantage is real in Philly again. Expect the defensive front to hold the run game in check and pressure Matty enough to take Julio's deep game out of the equation.
Adjusting my initial score prediction from the Birds thread: Eagles win: 31-17
Looks like nothing. Expected to practice tomorrow. Personal matter todaySaw something that Matt Ryan didn't practice today? Left the facility, schaub took the first team reps. Anyone know wats up?
9 points.IHEARTFF said:The difference between Wentz and Foles is probably at least 7 points in the spread.
I smell a eagles def or special teams tdI think it'll end be hard to score over 21 with how Atlanta's D looks. Our D gotta play lights out. Sloppy field maybe a nice 17-14 wining score in a defensive struggle. Boring but I'll take it!
Score 4 TD's and kick 2 FG's.How do the Eagles put up 34?
I think eagles offense gets 3 tds and a couple fgs. Def or special teams also scores. Eagles are gonna kick that ###.I get it that you have home field advantage, but the offense has been nothing short of putrid that post few games. Oakland and Dallas don't have the D of the Atlanta.
Well, throw the Dallas game out. Half our starters didn't play (and Dallas first team played the whole game). I'll give you they didn't look very good against Oakland-frankly the whole team was spotty on Christmas Day.I get it that you have home field advantage, but the offense has been nothing short of putrid that post few games. Oakland and Dallas don't have the D of the Atlanta.
Well, it was the Giants who are 31st against the pass on the season and 30th against receiving. Atlanta is 11 and 12.Well, throw the Dallas game out. Half our starters didn't play (and Dallas first team played the whole game). I'll give you they didn't look very good against Oakland-frankly the whole team was spotty on Christmas Day.
How about the week before when Foles threw for 240 and 4tds? Dropped 34 points that week.
there is more to the offense then just Foles. Ajayi, with Jay Cutler at QB, ran for 130+ yards on this same Falcons team earlier this season. sure, thing are different, but Eagles can score on this teamWell, it was the Giants who are 31st against the pass on the season and 30th against receiving. Atlanta is 11 and 12.
I have no dog in this fight. I hate the Falcons. I just don't see how you think it can happen with Foles. But what do I know. As a Saints fan, Vikings fans think they're going to shut down our whole offense. It didn't happen in wk 1, and the offense is much better at this point.
Would be very surprised if the Eagles put up 24 on Atlanta. Atlanta has maybe the most underrated defense in the league right now. They are on an absolute mission to carry this team back to the SB, and they didn't let the Rams do ANYTHING (sure you can argue that the rams did it to themselves, but there's just as valid of an argument that their struggles were because of the defense).I predict Philly puts up 24 points. One TD coming directly from D/ST or on a short field.
Two scenarios i see playing out for ATL:
16 points. D-line pressure on Ryan all day, he takes a beating and never gets on track. Run D holds Freeman to <3 ypc. A lot of 3 and outs and settling for FGs.
34 points. ATL takes advantage of the aggressive PHI D, and goes sideline to sideline. A lot of slant and go’s and bubble screens and a lot of runs to the outside. We’ve seen PHI struggle with this before- lack of discipline, poor tackling. When PHI tries to counter, Julio/Sanu school Darby with some double moves for the long TD.
Prediction: 24-16, Eagles. Cox and Jernigan absolutely destroy Garland and force 3 TOs, all from internal pressure.
I ate a cheesesteak before bed last night. And dreamed of violence. It's playoff football. Wake up Atlanta. Time to die.Ugh, I can't sleep.
Agreed. But that happens next week.I predict Atlanta gets out to a big lead and then chokes
Different teams. How does Matt Ryan fair in cold weather?Have the falcs ever played any cold weather playoff games in the past? I recall Vick pulling out a win in GB years back but that's it. Forecast: 30 degrees at kickoff, 27 degrees in the 4th.
L at Dal, 1978, 38 deg, 27 deg WC
L at GB, 1995, 30 deg.
W at GB, 2002, 38 deg, stupid Vick game.Vick doesn't count.
L at Phi, 2002, 29 deg.
L, at Phi, 2004, 17 deg.
Different teams. How does Matt Ryan fair in cold weather?
Average temperature in Boston in November is above 50. Don't play in January there too often. I agree weather is a dumb reason, and one of Philly's worse losses ever was at home vs. TB in the cold. But saying Matt Ryan has experience playing in Boston in October and November means nothing. Wind will probably matter more than temperature. Makes short passes and screens more important. Falcons won't be able to run on Philly but Eagles LB are mediocre and Falcons RB are good.When he throws for 375 and 4 TDs, you’re going to put the loss on him? The guy played at BC and grew up in Philly. If we lose today, it’s not because he’s cold.