It's finally here: football season. Never thought I'd say this, but not only is it exciting to have the Eagles back, it will actually serve as a nice diversion from all the questions surrounding the Phillies as they head toward the playoffs. So let's get into it already.
We're probably wasting our time here...
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Here's a scary thought: if the Eagles run the football, they have a great chance at winning on Sunday. The soft spot in the Panthers defense appears to be their interior linemen, where their best run stuffer Ma'ake Kemoeatu is lost for the season with an Achilles injury. That leaves Damione Lewis and a collection of players most of us have never heard of to keep blockers off Jon Beason and the rest of the Carolina linebackers.
That's not all. Amid the concerns about the Eagles offensive line, running the ball could really absorb some of the pressure for this group to gel quickly. It's been noted before, but linemen really like to get out there and run block. They can attack the defense rather than sit back and wait for the pass rush. Handing off slightly more than normal could not only expose a weak middle, it may also serve to put this group in more of a comfort zone. And one more thing:
Julius Peppers v. Jason Peters & Shawn Andrews Winston Justice
None of that looks pretty. It's already been discussed ad nauseam, but the Birds could have serious problems matching up with Peppers. Peters wasn't exactly reliable in the preseason, particularly on defensive line stunts, nobody can seem to remember the last time Andrews played at guard, let alone tackle, and everybody remembers the last time Justice faced an elite pass rusher. Update: Andrews out, Justice to start.
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That doesn't mean they can't slow down Peppers, but wherever he lines up creates a one-on-one at the other end of the line. Starter Tyler Brayton is only average, however the Panthers have two dangerous reserves who can make the most of their opportunities on obvious passing downs. Charles Johnson racked up 6.0 sacks in his second season last year, and second round pick Everette Brown from Florida State had a strong preseason, getting to the quarterback 3.0 times. Just two more reasons to keep the ball on the ground. The less the Birds are in third and long, the less Carolina's pass rush specialists take the field.
We're not saying don't throw the ball though...
Ideally they want to keep the pressure off the offensive line, and by extension, McNabb, as much as possible. Having said that, there are match-ups to take advantage of in the passing game as well. The Panthers switched to a Cover-2 defense for this year, meaning DeSean Jackson should see a lot of Chris Gamble with safety help over the top.
Gamble has become one of the better playmaking corners in the NFL, but he has struggled to pick up the new scheme. In their third preseason game against the Ravens, who do not exactly showcase a dynamic passing attack, Gamble allowed several big completions to receivers Derrick Mason and Kelley Washington. The safeties may be solid, but there's nobody special back there either, so there should be some legitimate shots to take Carolina deep.
What about the defense?
They're certainly the X-factor here, specifically against this vaunted power running attack. The Eagles were very successful stopping the run last year, especially down the stretch, and the top two guys responsible are still here, thankfully: Patt and Bunk.
This is easily one of the best running teams in football though. The offensive line is built to maul. DeAngelo Williams has amazing vision, and doesn't need much of a hole before he's suddenly in the secondary. Jonathan Stewart, if he plays, is the bruiser. Both backs will catch the ball out of the backfield; Williams burned the Eagles for 100 yards receiving in their '06 meeting.
This is a huge test for the defense. The interior can only do so much; the linebackers are going to have to make sure tackles and limit big gains, or the secondary might have to over-commit in run support, possibly leaving them vulnerable to Steve Smith downfield. Whether they're up for these challenges could easily be the difference.