Photo Courtesy: SB Nation
Previous to the start of the 2013-2014 NFL season, fans probably had this week's matchup circled as a loss, even without knowing exactly what Chip Kelly was bringing to the table. Now, after the Green Bay Packers lost their MVP quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, to an injury during Monday Night Football, the Philadelphia Eagles suddenly seem to have a very good chance to win the matchup. There are a few factors, in fact, currently in the Eagles' favor.
At 4-5 on the season, Philadelphia is 4-1 on the road, but a dismal 0-4 at home. Thankfully, this week's game is at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin, and coming at a really good time. Not only did the Packers lose Rodgers in their last game, but the 10-game winning streak they had at home was snapped by the Chicago Bears. And, in case you hadn't seen, Nick Foles had a performance for the ages against the Oakland Raiders last week, tying the all-time record for most passing touchdowns in a game (7). No one expects the same in this game, but he could roll with the streak and have another solid performance. Aside from the Eagles' quarterback situation, their are six key factors to look for in the Eagles vs. Packers battle.
DeSean Jackson & the Deep Threat - With just over 250 passing yards being allowed per game, the Green Bay Packers defense is a shell of its former self. During their Super Bowl season, the Pack was one of the most feared defenses in the league, allowing so few points a game and letting Rodgers dominate on offense. Now, the offense must work even harder, with opposing offenses being able to score more often. If the Eagles are to have a stellar day, they must take advantage of the deep threat, mainly in the hands of DeSean Jackson. And with Mike McCarthy's run defense in the top five in terms of lowest yards allowed, the throwing game becomes a major importance.
Pressure the Packers O-Line – The Packers come in right at league average when it comes to allowing pressure on their quarterback. At 22 sacks allowed, Green Bay's offensive line has done a formidable job protecting their quarterback and giving him time to throw the ball. Even though Seneca Wallace is getting the start, Philadelphia still must try to break through the line and get more pressure on the starter. The loss of Rodgers probably also means more carries for the Green Bay running backs, so if the Eagles' defensive line can perform better than most have against the Packers, they'll have a nice shot at the victory.
Avoid the Pressure of Lambeau - If you're a fan of football, you've heard of historic Lambeau Field. No explanation is needed for the sheer presence the stadium possesses, and the Packers use it to their advantage. As mentioned earlier, Green Bay had a 10-game winning streak at Lambeau before they were defeated by the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. Still, the streak itself is a testament to the huge home-field advantage The Pack has, and the Eagles can't let that hurt their game. The last time Philly visited Green Bay was in September of 2007. Brett Favre was still their starting QB, and he lead his team to a 16-13 victory. Green Bay is 10-4 against Philadelphia at home since Lambeau opened in 1957.
Will Seneca Wallace Stay Out of Trouble? – Seneca Wallace is not a very good quarterback. There is just no way to sugarcoat that fact. So when the 33 year old makes his first NFL start since 2011, no one expects a Pro-Bowl worthy performance. No one really expects him to do much at all, actually. However, Wallace can do one thing to help his team: Don't do anything wrong. Obviously, the Packers cannot run the ball very play of the game. They can, however, limit Wallace to 20-25 passing plays and run their backs for a majority of the game. It is mightily important, then, for Wallace to avoid trouble. When he is looking to pass the ball, he must avoid interceptions. When he under pressure, he cannot turn the ball over. Avoiding these issues gives his team a better opportunity.
Limit Eddie Lacy – It's no secret that Eddie Lacy is the best running back the Packers have had in years. In his rookie season, Lacy has played in seven games, collecting nearly 600 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His two worst games of the season were Weeks 1 and 2. In Week 1, he was limited to just 14 carriers in his first professional game. Against the Washington Redskins in Week 2, Lacy was forced to leave early with a concussion. Since he returned to the field against the Lions in early October, Lacy has had at least 100 yards of total offense in four of his five games. The Eagles are 14th overall in run defense, allowing about 112 yards per game, priming Lacy to continue his stellar rookie campaign. With an extra 5-10 carries this week, it is of vital importance that Philly limit Lacy as much as possible.
Clay Matthews' Impact Upon Return - Linebacker Clay Matthews will be returning to the Packers' starting lineup against the Eagles. Matthews has been out of action since injuring his thumb against the Lions in early October. It has been reported that Matthews will be wearing a club on his injured hand, which may limit him in terms of ability during the game. However, before his injury, the four-time Pro-Bowler was on pace for 12 sacks and 8 forced fumbles, both would've been career highs. After missing several games, Matthews will surely be hungry to return with major impact. If thClay Matthewse Eagles offensive line can avoid giving him too many opportunities to do so, Nick Foles will have an easier time getting the ball out of the pocket.
