‘NFC Championship Game In Philly! – Fly Eagles Fly!’
Pinch me, is what many Philadelphia Eagles fans might be saying!
Why? Carson Wentz helped get the Eagles into position prior to his season ending injury, and Nick Foles, with the help of Coach Doug Pederson, not only solidified the number one seed, but has gotten us to the NFC Championship game!
There were many fans, even the media, who had the Eagles one and done!
We beat a good Atlanta Falcons team who was much better on defense heading into the last six weeks of the season and with their win in the Wild Card round against the Las Angeles Rams, who only scored 13 points against the Falcons!
Now the Eagles play the Vikings Sunday night, January 21 at 6:40 pm!
The true challenge is the Minnesota Vikings, who have a stellar defense, and rank in the top of several different defensive categories. They rank number 1 in the NFL in total yards (275.9) and points allowed (15.8).
Let’s not forget about Philadelphia, the league’s top rushing defense (79.2 yards per game) that also ranks fourth in points (18.4) and yards allowed per game (306.5). The matchup pits strength against strength, which was the case the last time these two teams played.
Just like the Eagles were 2 point underdogs against the Atlanta Falcons last week, becoming the first number one team against a sixth seed in a divisional round since 1970, now are 3.5 point underdogs against the Minnesota Vikings! This makes the Eagles just the seventh home underdog in a championship game since the start of the 1998 season (according to data archived by Pro Football Reference).
Who let the dogs out! Chris Long and Lane Johnson both discussed that if they won, that they would wear dog masks to represent the underdogs. You have to love this team after the adversity of losing four or more key players during the season, that they are still having fun, while sticking to business!
Here is Lane Johnson with his dog mask during an interview after the Falcons game.
Keys To The Game
The Eagles defense will need to stop the run, which will force Case Keenum to beat them, who has made some mistakes down the road, especially in their walk-off touchdown win against the New Orleans Saints last week.
Nick “St. Nick” Foles will need to manage the game again, just as he did against the Falcons, and have no turn-overs! Many have been on Foles saying that he is not good. Hey, I wasn’t 100% on the Foles bandwagon back in 2013, when he had 27 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. I had my reasons. But one can say that Foles is one of the better back-up quarterbacks, who can get the job done. When he has a good offensive line, good play calling, and receivers who can get open and catch the ball, this offense can get the job done.
The key with Foles will be those 8 yard slant throws, some down the field throws that will stretch the field, and a running game that will keep the Vikings defense honest. I will also say that they need to sprinkle in some more screen plays as they did against the Falcons as well.
MyPhillyAlive’s prediction is:
Philadelphia Eagles 24 – Minnesota Vikings 23
Philadelphia Sports Bars
For those not going to the game, there are many great sports bars in Philadelphia! Such sports bars as O’Neal’s Pub, Yards Brewery, Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse, Chickie’s & Pete’s, Founding Father’s Sports Bar, Misconduct Tavern (2 locations), Field House, XFinity Live, Fox & Hound and many others! For our list, click here.
Fly Eagles Fly!
Location
Lincoln Financial Field
1 Lincoln Financial Field Way
Date
January 21, 2018
Time
6:40 pm
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