Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Previous 5 Meetings:
2010 – Packers 27-20 Eagles
2007 – Eagles 13-16 Packers
2006 – Packers 9-31 Eagles
2005 – Packers 14-19 Eagles
2004 – Packers 17-47 Eagles

In the regular season Green Bay lead series 24-13 but in the post-season the Eagles are 2-0 against the Pack.

Now this is the sort of game that we think of when the hype gets going for post-season! This great-looking game will close out Wildcard Weekend.

The Green Bay Packers travel back to Philadelphia for a rematch of the week 1 game. All the way back in September the Packers got a costly win with both Ryan Grant and Justin Harrell being lost for the season. That was the start of a long season on injuries and setbacks, with 15 players being put on IR throughout the season and Aaron Rodgers suffering two concussions and missing game time.

But despite those setbacks their 10-6 record could easily be better; those six losses have been very close. 4 of them being by just 3 points (two in overtime) and the other two by 4 points. That’s a total of 20 points which is less – for those of you keeping track of the Seahawks’ bashing – than each of the 9 losses that Seattle suffered on their way to the play-offs. This is a team that could easily be 12-4 and in prime position. As it is, they’re a very dangerous wildcard.

Offensively this is a strong unit and although they’ve stumbled in a couple of games there is always the feeling they can break lose and score at will. Defensively they’ve been great against the run and alright against the pass. Clay Matthews has been a beast and has been rewarded with his second consecutive Pro-Bowl spot. If they can contain Michael Vick as well as LeSean McCoy then things will become very difficult for the Eagles, who have had trouble in pass protection and have conceded a lot of sacks.

Lincoln Financial Field

The Eagles started the season with Kevin Kolb under centre, but he was put out of the first game (Hello Clay Matthews!) and Michael Vick was given his ‘in’. He’s then made the most of it and much has been said and written about his performance this season that has rightfully put him in the MVP discussions. But like with Rodgers, he’s taken his fair (and some would say unfair) share of hits that have caused him to miss game time. But he remains a dangerous threat in the air and on the ground and must be accounted for. DeSean Jackson, when playing, is a serious threat on the pass and in games where the Eagles have been able to get him involved he’s been a game changer.

The defence is a mid-table unit at best and they’ve given up a lot of points. They’ve also conceded over 300 yards on the ground in the last two weeks. It’s hard to think that the D will win them the game but there are some interesting match-ups across the secondary.

This is one of those games that really could go either way and I’m expecting a high-scoring game. But I think the pass-rush of the Packers will be too much for the Eagles to overcome and think they’ll secure a narrow win.

Packers to win by 3-7 points.

Image Credits:
Aaron Rodgers – Neil Staeck
Lincoln Financial Field – Chris Richards

After getting last weeks prediction drastically wrong I’m beginning to think that I’m in the wrong business! Nevertheless, I’ll stick with it and overcome this slump I’ve fallen into. For week 5 I’ll be travelling to Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California and checking out the Philadelphia Eagles at the 49ers.

As part of our regular Wembley Watch articles, Andrew will take a look at the 49ers after the game, but I have to make a call before. So let’s take a look…

The Eagles have certainly had an up and down start to the season. Their new starting quarterback after the release of Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, left the first game with a concussion. In steps the controversial Michael Vick, and fair play to the guy, he did an excellent job. He played well, he made some good plays, and he looked like he was really enjoying himself. Week 4 comes around, and Vick himself gets injured (his own fault some might say). Kolb is now back in the spotlight, and in my opinion he really didn’t look composed enough to lead the team. When Vick is healthy there is no doubt in my mind he should be the starting quarterback, and I think that Andy Reid made a bad mistake in letting Donovan go and putting so much trust in Kolb. You could see Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson‘s frustrations as the match neared an end so there is obviously something wrong, be it communication or trust.. just something.

Not only is their big name quarterback out, but LeSean McCoy left the game with a broken rib and isn’t expected to play this weekend. He will be a big loss as he has started the season strongly and has been a massive influence in the passing game as well as the rushing. Mike Bell will more than likely step in and hope to establish himself as a reliable alternative.

Smith hands off to Gore

The 49ers have had a shocking start to 2010 with a 0-4 record. Despite my love for Alex Smith he isn’t doing much to repel the haters this season. Many are saying he isn’t a franchise quarterback, and his 66.1 season rating is proving this is the case. 3TDs and 7INTs so far with a 61.6 passing accuracy. This definitely needs to improve if he wants to keep his spot. Perhaps the wide receivers aren’t doing much to help his cause? Josh Morgan has 12 receptions and 1TD, Michael Crabtree only has 11 and 0 touchdowns, and Vernon Davis leads the way with 19 receptions and 1TD. They aren’t breaking any kind of reception records, and the yardage isn’t anything to brag about. Frank Gore, the running back, actually had more receptions than Morgan and Crabtree combined, and he leads the reception yardage.

Does this say something about the offensive line seeing as Smith keeps dumping off the ball, or is it just the quarterback panicking? Well the O-line has only allowed 8 sacks in 4 games, but he has been hit a massive 26 times (That’s almost as much as Jay Cutler!) – so to be honest it seems to be a bit of both. If the Eagles can get pressure and rush Smith into a pass but still cover Gore, then they shouldn’t be any threat at all.

Skim read? Eagles to win.

Image Credits
Candlestick Park – Marc Choquette
Frank Gore / Alex Smith – John Martinez Pavliga
DeSean Jackon / Swoop – Chuck Stanley

Donovan McNabb will miss this Sundays game.  Quarter back duties will again be taken by Kevin Kolb, with an impressive back up team of Michael Vick and Jeff Garcia.

Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson will most likely play with his back injury after talking it down. -

“God willing, I will be out there playing. Not a big deal at all.”

New York Jets

Mark Sanchez, the Jets impressive rookie quarter back is suffering from tendinitis in his right knee.  It is not expected to stop him from playing on Sunday.

San Diego Chargers

Seven Chargers missed practice yesterday including LaDainian Tomlinson, outside linebacker Shawne Merriman and right guard Louis Vasquez.  It is not yet known who will play on Sunday, but this will leave holes when they are visited by Miami.

The Eagles have promoted Michael Vick on to the 53 man roster.  This now enables him to practice with the full team.  This now means that he is available to play against Kansas on the 27th.  Wide receiver Hank Baskett was released to make room on the roster.

Kansas City Chiefs

It is still not known if Matt Cassel will be able to play on Sunday when the Chiefs welcome Oakland.  They have however signed a new wide receiver in the shape of Bobby Wade.  Turk McBride has been released to make way for Wade.

Philadelphia Eagles
With the injury to Donovan McNabb, and with Michael Vick not cleared to play yet, the Eagles have signed Jeff Garcia to a one year contract to give backup if required.
If McNabb isn’t good to go, then Kevin Kolb will start. Garcia will be there for depth, rejoining the team he left three years ago.

Gamepass Refunds
Emails have gone out overnight offering refunds for week one’s Gamepass. This is a good, and also necessary gesture, from the NFL and the GamePass provider Neulion.

If you’ve not had the email, you can start the refund process here: http://nflrefund.neulion.com/

Philadelphia Eagles
Donovan McNabb suffered a broken rib during the game against Carolina. It is not yet known how long he will be out for, but Michael Vick must be getting on edge now.

New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees equalled the Saints single game record throwing six touchdown passes and 358 yards.

New York Jets
We didn’t have the Jets down to win in our predictions, but they proved us wrong. Rookie quarter back Mark Sanchez put in a wonderful performance which might make us have a rethink on the Jets season hopes.

Vick , now with the Philadelphia Eagles took to the field and experienced a bad reaction from fans in the pre-season game against the New York Jets on Tuesday.  Pehaps Goodell decided that public humiliation was punishment enough.

I am not going to get too deep into it here, obviously dog fighting is not something that is liked by the general public in the US and here in the UK.  Clearly a prison sentence does not equal forgiveness from the fans in this case and I can’t see them dropping it for a while.  What are your thoughts in Vick being allowed to play?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
News this morning that one Buc who wont be coming to Wembley is offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski.  Jagodzinski was fired yesterday.  The team were  reportedly unhappy with their passing game.  Jagodzinski has now been replaced by promoted quarterbacks coach Greg Olson.

New Head Coach Raheem Morris Said –

“I have a lot of respect for coach Jags, and what he did, and the effort he put into his work, but we’re at the point now where we need to be more precise, we need to be more detailed and we need to have more direction on where we’re going to go”

Wait, Vick is an Eagle?
At an apparent $1.5m for the season, Vick is probably a bargain as long as the Eagles’ PR machine can cope with any backlash that will come. And it will come. The ethical question is one that I thought about last week when I was asked how I’d feel if he signed for the Redskins, and the honest answer was that I don’t know.

Whilst he does have gifts, and can add something to a team, and whilst he’s been found guilty and served his time accordingly and subsequently said the right things whenever asked. Whilst in theory he should be allowed a second chance, I think I’d have struggled to root for him. There’s something about the nature of his crimes that doesn’t sit right to me. No, it’s not PETA-style reaction to cruelty to animals, it’s something more basic than that: The cruelty and deliberation of the whole affair.

But anyway, I can stop worrying as he’s now an Eagle. Well, I might worry twice a season if he turns out on the pitch. Especially as he’s on at the same time as McNabb, which has been suggested by the big guy himself. If one of them starts scrambling, you wouldn’t have a clue what was going to happen next and the defense would have to be 100% alert to prevent a big play against them.

Donovan McNabb is apparently happy with the whole situation and is even claiming some credit for the idea. With his new deal in place, he’s obviously feeling fairly secure in his place and rightly so.

We don’t know how much Vick has lost in his time out from the game. He’ll still be fit, but may be lacking in stamina. He might be half a step behind and will have a new playbook to learn too. We don’t really know where his place is going to be, though it’s thought he’ll compete for the 3rd QB spot. If we do see him play, it’ll be interesting how the the notoriously outspoken Eagles’ fans react to him: In particular, his first appearance and any good plays that he makes.

Wait, Favre is a Viking?
Brett Favre… I really thought we were finished talking about him, and celebrated as much when it was first said he wouldn’t be joining the Vikings’ training camp. Turns out I’d missed the “not yet.” part of that statement.

“If you’re a true Packer fan, you understand.” – Brett Favre, on signing for the Vikings.

No, I’m not sure what this means either. I can think of several interpretations, but none of them seem to ring true at this point. So I’m going to assume that it’s an attempt to not damage his legacy in Green Bay by making a call to be “true Packer fans” and stick with the team ahead of individual players who’ve moved on. Or something.

Favre goes into Minnesota as the starter, and Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels are now officially competing for the backup position. That’s tough on those guys, but something they were presumbably prepared for.

At a reported $12M for the first year, bring him in is a risk. He’s going to be 40 by the time he next plays at Lambeau Field and there were many – me included – who thought he ran truly out of steam last season. Whether he’s got another year in him is a big question. He’s ably assisted though, and will get to hand off to Adrian Peterson and to throw to a receiving core that has been steadily improved over the last few seasons to the point that they look pretty strong now. Of course, last year’s Jets team looked pretty sharp on paper too…

But like or him or hate him (or just be bored with him at this point) there’s no doubting that he’s a news cycle all by himself. And there is the added bonus that a match that is already looked forward to has gained all new significance for this season: November the 1st is when Favre will run out again at Lambeau Field… dressed in purple. That is now a truly must-watch game.