5 THINGS TO WATCH
1. TAKING A SLAY RIDE: It's possible the Eagles will match veteran corner Darius Slay on Davante Adams, making sure Adams has to work for everything he gets. However, Slay got taken to the cleaners by Seattle's DK Metcalf (10 catches, 177 yards) last week, and the Eagles might figure it's better to keep their corners in place. Adams moves all over the field and it's easier to cover him with safety help no matter who the corner is. Adams and Slay, who formerly played for the Detroit Lions, have met just three times the last three years because Adams was inactive for the teams' other three games. Adams' totals were 9-73, 9140-1 TD and 7-53. The Eagles have given up the third-fewest passing TDs in the league and are tied with the Packers for third-fewest passes of 20 or more yards allowed.
2. SACK DANCE: A year ago after 11 games, the Packers had 28 sacks. This year, they have 24. If you asked most people who have watched the Packers, you would have thought it was even fewer. They have had three-sack performances in three of their last six games and should have a golden chance to build on that total this week. The Eagles will have their 11th different starting combination on the offensive line in 12 games this week. They are without injured stalwarts Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson and are starting 38-year-old left tackle Jason Peters, who is hobbled by a bad toe, at right guard. The Eagles have allowed the most sacks in the NFL (46), and the Packers need to take advantage.
3. ON THE RUN: Statistically, the Eagles are very efficient running the ball. They rank third in the NFL in per-carry
TOM SILVERSTEIN
With star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (neck) playing, the Eagles have a chance. But the way the Packers are playing up front with coach Matt LaFleur using play-action to slow down the rush, it's not a very big one. If the Packers don't have four or five sacks against Carson Wentz, then they aren't trying.
Packers 27, Eagles 13 average (5.0). The problem is, they have the fourth-fewest attempts (255) in the NFL. Considering they gashed the Packers for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries in a 34-27 victory last season at Lambeau Field, you have to wonder if they'll finally give it to lead back Miles Sanders more than 10 times, which is what he's averaging per game for the season. Last year, he had 11 carries for 72 yards. “He's a good player,” safety Adrian Amos said. “Fast, good vision, explosive. He's good out of the backfield as well, catching the ball out of the backfield.”
4. ST. BROWN MAKING A MOVE: After battling a knee injury he suffered midway through training camp, receiver Equanimeous St. Brown finally seems healthy. And while his contribution the last two weeks hasn't been enormous, he has been impressive on the three catches he has made, gaining 24, 23 and 15 yards. Coach Matt LaFleur even tried him on an end around, which would have netted more than 7 yards if St. Brown would have attacked it better. Nevertheless, the 6-5, 214pound second-year pro seems to finally have his feet under him. It will be worth keeping an eye on him this week if he draws a pair of undersized corners in 5-9 Avonte Maddox and 5-8 Nickell Robey-Coleman. “His confidence is just at an all-time high since I've been around him,” receivers coach Jason Vrable said.
5. MARCH FOOTBALL: You know how the Packers like to say they're seasoned in playing December football? Well, for the second straight season, it's going to feel like an early spring day three weeks before the holidays. Last year, it was 37 degrees at kickoff when the Packers played at home against Washington. And guess what? That's what the predicted high is Sunday. With very little wind. It's hardly that seasonal advantage the Packers say they like. They do know a little bit more about Lambeau's slick surface, which takes some opponents by surprise. But Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz won't have to throw a frozen ball Sunday.
PACKERS EAGLES
Tom Silverstein
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