Eagles Get Ready for Falcons

The Eagles face basically another must win game tomorrow when they visit Atlanta to play the 6-5 Falcons, who also must win this game. The Eagles enter this game 1 back back of the Dallas Cowboys, and 1 game ahead of the New York Giants in the NFC East, who play each other this weekend. This will also be Michael Vick's first visit back to play against Atlanta since all of his drama.

Certain players will need to step up their games for both teams, as both teams are facing injuries to key players. For the Falcons, local boy Matt Ryan is out with a turf toe, and the Falcons will send out backup QB Chris Redman. All-pro running back Michael Turner is questionable. For the Eagles, obviously Brian Westbrook will be out, but the Birds will also be without playmaker DeSean Jackson. The Eagles' receivers will need to step up their game without Jackson in the lineup. Not only is Jackson the #1 wide receiver on the team, he has made a lot of big plays in just about every game. The Eagles only healthy wide receivers on the roster this game are Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Reggie Brown, and the just called up from the practice squad rookie Jordan Norwood. Maclin and Avant will both need to have big games.

The Eagles offense will need to score points to win this game. The Falcons defense is not very good against either the run or the pass, and thus McNabb, and the young guys like Shady McCoy, and Jeremy Maclin will need to take advantage of a poor Falcons defense. On defense, the Eagles will try to confuse Chris Redman, and probably throw a confusing blitz package his way. With or without Michael Turner, the Falcons can run the ball effectively, so the Eagles will need to take their run game away. The Falcons will most likely be trying to run the ball a lot without Ryan.

This game will go a long way in the NFC for the playoff push for both teams, and with the Giants playing the Cowboys, the Eagles have a great opportunity to either catch up to the Cowboys in the standings, or move another game ahead of the Giants.

Eagles Come Off Bye to Play Falcons

The Eagles come out of their bye with a 3-3 record, and a home game against the Atlanta Falcons, who are 4-2, and also off a bye. The Eagles are very successful under Andy Reid coming off a bye, having a 10-0 record in games after the bye.

This game is also set to feature the return of Brian Westbrook to the lineup, and the first appearance of Kevin Curtis in the lineup. This should help the offense a lot, especially if the Eagles can establish a rushing attack, and then use play action to burn the Falcons. With Curtis, and DeSean Jackson, the Eagles will feature two very quick receivers, who can go deep, and also go short over the middle. Moving the ball hasn't been the Eagles problem this season, the problem has been putting the ball in the end zone when deep in the opponents territory. We sound like a broken record when we say it, but L.J. Smith and the other tight ends will need to come up with some big catches for the Eagles to improve in the red zone.

On defense, the Eagles will have to contend with Michael Turner, who is one of the NFL's leading rushers, and according to the Eagles defensive players, one of the hardest players to tackle. The Eagles will need to swarm to the ball with multiple defenders, and wrap up Turner if they want to have success. You have to key in on stopping Turner, since the Falcons have a rookie QB. Matt Ryan has played well this season, but you still would rather put the ball in his hands than Turner's. With the Eagles pressure defense, they should be able to devise a scheme to confuse the rookie QB.

The Eagles need to win this game with so many NFC teams in front of them right now, including everyone in the NFC East, and their opponent today. A win today will get the Eagles back over .500, which they need to do, with some big NFC East games upcoming.