Five More Keys to Beating the Eagles
...posted by Rich Resch...
6. Wake up, Mathias Kiwanuka
The man who was converted from lineman to linebacker to lineman has only 1.5 sacks in his last 5 games. Justin Tuck is destined to face double teams, so Kiwanuka is going to have to step up and win his one on one match ups. He could be the key to getting pressure on Donovan McNabb, which is my #1 key to the game.
7. Improve Punt Coverage
DeSean Jackson’s punt returns were a huge factor in the Eagles holding off the Vikings. Yes, Vikings punter Chris Kluwe had some atrocious punts, and Jeff Feagles will (hopefully) not put the Giants coverage unit in as bad a situation. But keeping Jackson under wraps will be important nonetheless.
8. Improve Kickoff Coverage
Lousy kickoff coverage has been giving Giants’ opponents short fields to work with all year. As I assume Tom Coughlin will not go with Lawrence Tynes for kickoffs, the coverage team will again have to deal with John Carney’s weak kickoffs that barely reach the 10 yard line. If Carney’s short kickoffs are the difference in this game, I will cry many salty tears.
9. Domenik Hixon on Kick and Punt Returns
Self explanatory.
10. Don’t Be Fooled by Eagles’ Effort Vs. Vikings
The Eagles looked lethargic against the Vikings, basically sleepwalked through the game. Outside of Asante Samuel’s interception returned for a touchdown, and Brian Westbrook’s 71 yard touchdown reception, the Eagles only scored 12 points. If not for DeSean Jackson’s impressive punt returning, it might have been even less. But don’t expect the Eagles to come out with the same intensity this Sunday. Emotions will be high, and the Eagles will be ready to play.
Love your keys rich, but bottom line is you have to change #1 and #2. This game is historically won or lost based on #36’s out put. Hence, all 22 eyes on Westbrook, pressure is important, but with 0 sacks in game one they still beat the Eagles.
The number one key has to be stopping Westbrook. I expect to see a lot of phillips out there with that as his prime duty, maybe even as a shadow/.
Agree with most of them, also with David Jacks comment…
At the end I think it is up to the linebackers to play above themselves. They, as a group and including Pierce, have under performed most of the year, especially the last half.
The D-Line and Secondary will be okay, but the group in the middle need to not miss tackles and blow coverages against screen passes, etc.
Tackle ‘Backers!!
I contemplated switching McNabb and Westbrook, but a couple of factors made me put McNabb first.
1- Westbrook is banged up and has faded a bit lately. Outside of his 71 yard touchdown reception, Westbrook hasn’t looked like himself over the last four weeks.
2- Westbrook is more dangerous in the passing game, so putting pressure on McNabb will also limit Westbrook’s impact as a receiver. Disrupting the QB disrupts the entire offense.
3- The Eagles’ resurgence has been directly correlated with McNabb’s great play. His QB rating has been over 90 in 5 of their last 6. They went 5-1, losing the one game in which he played poorly. “As McNabb goes, so go the Eagles.”
I’m not trying to downplay the importance of stopping Westbrook. You could make them 1A and 1B if you want, but getting to McNabb would be my first priority.
It’s unfair to ask to Hixon to do Punt Returns and Kickoff Returns, and be an effective receiver. Choose 2 of the 3.
You’re right, all 3 may be too much. Bernard Berrian of the Vikings returned punts and was a very effective receiver. I’d definitely put Hixon on kick returns because his ability to change the game is undeniable. Anyone but McQuarters on punt returns (Danny Ware is an interesting idea).