Sunday Night Football Betting – Rodgers, Packers The Choice In Philadelphia
The Green Bay Packers changed the course of the Philadelphia Eagles season when they knocked out quarterback Kevin Kolb in Week 1 and paved the way for Michael Vick to take over the team.
Vick has been an MVP candidate since taking over the job but is a bit banged up as the Eagles get set to host the Packers.
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Wildcard Playoffs Green Bay vs. Philadelphia Betting Matchup
Date/Time: 8:25 PM ET, Sunday, January 9, 2011
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: NBC
Odds: Packers +2.5, Eagles -2.5
Total: 46.5
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The Eagles lost their last two games heading into the playoffs and have lost momentum after a historic comeback win over the New York Giants. Can they get it back or will the Packers pull the small upset and defeat the Eagles for a second time this season?
How Can Green Bay Win?
Play disciplined defense against Michael Vick and do their damage on offense.
The Packers have the top-ranked scoring defense in the NFC and if they can keep Vick in the pocket and use their excellent pass rush to get to him, they are going to be in position to win. The Eagles are a pass-oriented team and the Packers – with Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams – are one of the few teams that have the cornerbacks to match.
On the flip side the Packers, have the best group of wide receivers in the NFL and the Eagles have had problems getting stops against passing teams. The Eagles lead the NFL with 23 interceptions but they have also given up 54 passing plays of 20 yards or longer, which is the most by any of the NFC playoff team not named the Seattle Seahawks. They also gave up 31 passing touchdowns, which is the second-highest total in the NFL.
Aaron Rodgers looks like an MVP right now and he’s just willing his team to wins. The Eagles have a battered Vick and come into the postseason losing back-to-back games to third string quarterbacks. They are ripe for a loss.
How Can Philadelphia Win?
Let it rip with Vick.
There’s no question that Vick is the one player that no defense wants to face in the playoffs. In a one game scenario, he can win the game on his own but the good news is he won’t have to.
The Eagles have a number of big-play weapons including running back LeSean McCoy, wideouts DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, and tight end Brent Celek.
But the Eagles are also a big-play team on defense as they have swung momentum and changed the course of many games with their ability to force turnovers. They have 34 on the season, which was the fourth-most in the NFL.
This is a veteran team that’s been in this position many times under Andy Reid. Even though they’ve lost two straight, they know how to step up for important playoff games.
Outlook
The Vikings may have uncovered a blueprint to beat Vick as they blitzed non-stop – using defensive backs – and it has seemed to work. Vick has completed just 55% of his passes when being blitzed this season and the Packers, who run a 3-4 defense, will be blitzing almost every down.
The Eagles did force 34 turnovers this season but they forced just eight turnovers in the last six games. They have clearly tailed off. Combined with the fact that Vick is banged up, the Packers are in good shape for this game.
This should be an entertaining contest but the Packers have the better defense and have played better down the stretch. One season after opening their playoffs with a road loss, they’ll get a road win and defeat the Eagles for the second time this season.
Pick: Packers +3
