Tag Archives: Eagles

NFL, Tyler Englander

Saturday’s NFL Action to Watch

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Eagles at Redskins (4:30 ET, NFL Network)

Preview:

In the first and only edition of Saturday Football this regular season, there are certainly some interesting story lines leading up to both of the games. In the early matchup at 4:30 eastern time on NFL Network, Chip Kelly’s Philadelphia Eagle’s take on Jay Gruden’s Washington Redskins. The Eagles come into this one on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs go after a tough loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles are trailing the Cowboys in the East by one game as well as the Seahawks and Packers by one game in the wild card standings. The Redskins come into this game with a lot of question marks regarding the futures of both their coach as well as their quarterback, Robert Griffin III. This game is all about pride for the Skins, with former Eagle Desean Jackson going up against the franchise who traded him last off season.

Prediction:

With all the distractions regarding the Redskins as well as the recent struggles, I find it hard to believe that the Skins will have any chance. Also, with the Eagles needing a win and coming off a tough game, I expect them to come out and play one of their best games in a while. I predict the Eagles will win 31-17.

 

Chargers at 49ers (8:25 ET, NFL Network and CBS)

Preview:

The late game features an potentially interesting matchup between the San Diego Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers. Just like the Redskins, the Niners have some distractions regarding their coach, Jim Harbaugh. It has been rumored throughout the season that Harbaugh would be on his way out, but as the season winds down it seems more and more likely that Harbaugh’s firing will become a reality. On the field the Niners have been struggling as well. They scored only seven points last week and with questions regarding the health of their top two running backs, Frank Gore, and Carlos Hyde I find it difficult that their offense will improve against a tough Chargers defense. Speaking of the Chargers, this is a game they need to have to have a chance at making the playoffs. Although this is not an elimination game, if they lose they would be trailing at least three teams heading into their final game against the Chiefs.

Prediction:

The Niners have struggled all season and I don’t see a reason why that would change tonight. The Chargers will come out strong in a game they must have and win by a score of 21-10.

NFL, Zachary D.

Thanksgiving Day Football 2014

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This Thanksgiving we have three very exciting division games. First at 12:30 the Bears (5-6) are facing off against the Lions (7-4). This should be an easy game for the Lions, but the Bears know if they have any shot at catching the Packers or the Lions, they have to win this game. The Packers are 8-3 and the Bears are 5-6, so for them to have a shot at the playoffs, they must win out or win at least 4 of their next 5 games. But for the playoffs to happen, the Packers will have to start losing, which I don’t see happening any time soon. Anyway, for the Bears to win this game, the defense (without Briggs, Tillman, and Conte) will be very weak as the leaders are out due to injury. The most important thing for that defense is to stop Calvin Johnson. He is a deep threat and just a threat in general. In addition to defense, Jay Cutler will have to lead the high potential Bears offense to victory. Having Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall, Matt Forte, and Martellus Bennett on the same team and not winning is crazy. They have the potential to win almost every game of the season. But Jay Cutler has disappointed that team with his awful play this season. If he can get playing like last year, they can easily win even against one of the best defenses in the league. For the Lions, Matt Stafford will have to hit Megatron for some big yardage to win. I’m not as concerned for the 7-4 Lions as they should be able to walk out with a W.

The 4:30 game is a crucial game for both teams, the 8-3 Eagles and the 8-3 Cowboys. Both teams are in the playoff hunt and this game will fuel then winner to a lead in the NFC East. It’s only a battle of those two teams in that division, they closest team is New York who is 5 games back, so the winner will certainly have an advantage. The Eagles will have to get both Matthews and Maclin involved to win. In addition, shady McCoy will have to rush for a decent amount of yardage. The defense will have to deal with a run heavy Dallas offense, but if they get too committed Romo can fry the defense with Dez Bryant.

Last at 8:30 the Seahawks (7-4) are matched up with the San Francisco 49ers (7-4). They are competing for a spot next to the 9-2 Cardinals. If the Seahawks want to win, the defense will need to have an outstanding game. But the offense with Russell Wilson will have to find its groove against the 49ers D. Doug Baldwin will have to actually produce for one more game. And for the rest of the season for that matter. Marshawn will do his thing, and not talk to the media, but he will need to get them down the field continuously, because quite frankly, the Seahawks have little to no passing game. In my mind the fact that they won the Super Bowl amazes me. I know their defense is spectacular and all that, but without offense this game will be tough. The 49ers have a scary defense, but the cannon of an arm in Colin Kaepernick can power the 49ers past the Seahawks defense. Michael Crabtree has been playing great, but Anquan Boldin is looking like the old Anquan, he is putting up numbers as good as anyone in the league right now. So when all is in the books, this game comes down to the offense.