NFC Road

[Tabascocat]

Before the season, I never dreamed of starting a thread like this one. Almost half-way through and we own the best record. Over the next couple of months, teams will slide up and down but I see a real threat in the future from four other teams: Arizona, GB, DET and Philly.

As it stands now, I do not think we are the most complete team in our conference and probably not the best either. One of the above four teams, including Dallas, will have home-field throughout the playoffs. IMO, SEA and SF will be out of the running by week 17 for that.

GB did not worry me for awhile but they are coming together, as well as Detroit. Arizona was my sleeper pick in the pre-season to make some noise and I am surprised the Eagles only have one loss.

Only one team scares me though.....the Eagles. I still see holes in our defense and their two speedy backs could wreak havoc. Their no-huddle, fast-paced offense could be our defenses kryptonite, I don't know.

If we don't control our destiny in the playoffs, there are only two places I would not want to travel to...GB or Seattle again. If the run game is still on point by then, it will make it a lot easier though.

Our defense needs those guys to get back and into playing shape for the final run. Oh, and no more injuries, just stay relatively healthy.

My cynicism in me says it is only a matter of time before the defense comes back to reality but that is becoming less and less as each week passes.

A playoff win this season and I will consider it a job well done considering what the expectations were. Now, I want two because they are proving me wrong and I like it!

I don't expect a Super Bowl appearance but a nice, tough run would be much appreciated and I will give my full respect and support to Garrett in accomplishing that. I still think Linehan, Marinelli and Callahan have more to do with the success than Jason but he is the captain of the ship and I will give credit where credit is due.

A few other coaches who have stepped up their game as well: Leon Lett, Eberflus and Pope. It really is a team coaching effort being installed and implemented. (No shout-outs to any ST coaches)

I am getting used to Jason walking around instead of hiding behind his playcards. Keep it up and keep your nose out of it, just control the coaches and players and that extension will happen. I think he found his role.....jack of all trades but master of none.

I can't believe I am talking playoffs here, we could go 4-5 and still probably squeak in.

There is one major downside to making a run.......which coaches will leave for promotions? That worries me and I hope it doesn't all revert back to Jason calling plays and Monte being re-instated as the DC, heh.

Jerry needs to do all he can to retain these guys for two more years, that should be enough for a ring if all goes well.

Well, sorry for the rambling, but the round-about point of this is........Philly scares me due to match-ups. Do we have what it takes to win the division(assuming they keep winning out of division games like us)? Not afraid of Foles, just their fast pace and RB's.

I will worry about the other three teams when that time comes, just want to win the division and get some kind of home-field advantage. Or, maybe not....we do seem to play well on the road

 

[Zman5]

We played well against Philly last year and that was with DJax on their team. Philly don't worry me.

 

[Beast_from_East]

We are the best team in the NFC conference, hands down.

In the NFL, we are probably second only to Denver.

 

[DiResta]

We played well against Philly last year and that was with DJax on their team. Philly don't worry me.

well they should. I could see splitting with them easily but you never know.
If Dallas has a pass rush by then and no major injuries they could rattle Foles a bit

 

[Zman5]

well they should. I could see splitting with them easily but you never know.
If Dallas has a pass rush by then and no major injuries they could rattle Foles a bit

By the time we play them, DLaw and Brent will be back. That should help us with the pass rush.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Without Desean Jackson they are a 1 dimensional team. Desean created mismatches which they took advantage of last year. They don't have that luxury this year. Our strengths this year is what the Eagles are weak at. Not saying were going to sweep them. But their not as strong as they seem to be.

What I predict is that the next 6-8 games your going to start the see the Eagles start to slide. They play the Cardinals, Texans, Green Bay and Seattle and us twice. WE are now getting to the easy phase or our schedule. Their schedule isn't going to be easy and by the time we play them, they might have a few losses under their belt. If we take care of our business on our end we win. The pressure is on them from now on.

 

[StevenOtero]

Grandpa Kiffin had Philly's offense figured out, Marinelli will destroy it.

*fingers crossed*

 

[TheEnigma]

We are the best team in the NFC conference, hands down.

In the NFL, we are probably second only to Denver.

I'd put the Colts up there as well with the way they've played the past few weeks.

 

[AmericanCowboy]

Detroit and GB scare me.

Philly does not. They aren't as fast as everyone gives them credit for. Mccoy looks like he has lost two steps this year.

Any type of pressure on Foles and its game over.

 

[visionary]

Good post and agree with most of ur points

What scares me is our DL and lack of pressure on opposing QBs, we need Lawrence to come on strong but he is a rookie who missed half the season

 

[Fredd]

I am not happy when I see stats like the Eagles sacked eli 8 times (was that right?) and we got none...that being said, I think the team will be favored in almost all of their games at this point, unless they sustain some type of major ouchie....I have in other threads that by the time we play the eagles, we could have a 2 game lead on them, and then, when we beat them, we will have a 3 games lead with 4 to play...

some of the tougher games on those team's schedules that the OP mentions

GB: @NO, Bears, Philly, Patriots, Lions (those other 3 they play @ home)
Det: @Mia, @AZ, @NE, Bears (X2), @GB...they have one signature win this year, against the packers and call the NO win what you like....not impressed
Note: I don't think much of the Bears, but divisional games like that are tough for GB & Det
AZ: Philly, @Dallas, Det, Seat (X2), @ SF...6 tough games, we will see what they are made of
Philly: @AZ, @Hou, @GB, Dallas (X2), Seattle....they have the toughest lot of 4 teams if you ask me
Dallas: AZ, Eagles (X2), Colts

sleeper teams: Seattle, SF, although, you never know who could go on a run (EX: NO, Car)

I like our chances with the way the schedule is playing out; I don't expect 15-1, but I do expect double-digit wins at this point (predicted 10-6 or 11-5 in pre-season if healthy, I may have been too light on that)

 

[perrykemp]

If we don't control our destiny in the playoffs, there are only two places I would not want to travel to...GB or Seattle again.

Am I nuts to think that the Cowboys power running game is better suited than the Packer's precision passing game at Lambeau in January?

The Packers made their Superbowl run in 2010 playing ALL of their games on the road. In 2011 (vs Giants) and last year (vs 49ers) they lost in the playoffs @ Lambeau.

 

[Risen Star]

I'm not even thinking playoffs right now. That'll come when/if the team gets to 10 wins.

 

[Tabascocat]

Am I nuts to think that the Cowboys power running game is better suited than the Packer's precision passing game at Lambeau in January?

That's why I stated if our running game is still going strong that it would be easier

 

[Fmart322]

I like your post and agree with a lot of it.
The one thing you don't have in the NFL is a salary cap on coaches. Pay them. Even if they fail in the future, so what, you'll get a return on your investment with home town fans. Then repeat as necessary.

 

[TOEaglesRule]

By the time we play them, DLaw and Brent will be back. That should help us with the pass rush.

and Mathis and Kelce will be back for Philly - advantage Eagles.