***SWAMP DIVISIONAL ROUND - NFC GM 1 - ATL @ PHI***
***ATLANTA FALCONS @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES***
Divisional weekend in the NFL, some say it is the best weekend of the season and they might be right. Four playoff games that involve the top seeded teams in the league. However, for this first game - things get a little strange due to the number 1 seeded Philadelphia Eagles being without their MVP caliber QB, Carson Wentz. It is truly unfortunate that Wentz went down a few weeks ago with a torn ACL, because that kid is the truth and may have taken them to the promised land this season. The Eagles have been forced to turn to their backup, who is a familiar face in veteran QB Nick Foles. Years ago, Foles was in a similar situation where he stepped in for starting QB Michael Vick and surprised the world as he had a tremendous amount of success as he solidified himself as the starter. Foles then followed the money over to St. Louis where he failed as their guy, then bounced over to KC as the backup, before returning back to Philadelphia. History has repeated itself and due to the Wentz injury mentioned above, Foles was thrusted into action on the road during a week 14 battle with another playoff team in the Los Angeles Rams. Foles was able to hold down the fort despite the Rams smelling blood, and got the job done as the Eagles won 43-35. The Birds then traveled to Metlife Stadium to take on their lowly division rival the New York Giants who gave them all they could handle early on. Foles successfully battled back in that game to edge out another close victory. Next, on Christmas night, St. Nick delivered for the Eagles as they hosted another team with nothing to play for in the Oakland Raiders and although it was very ugly, Philly won the game. The last week of the season the Eagles lost to the Cowboys 6-0 but with nothing to play for, rested starters and Foles only played to start the game before coming out, and again what we saw wasn't pretty. Needless to say, the Eagles psyche and morale I believe was at a season low to finish the season, as they most likely know deep down that their Super Bowl aspirations are no more with Foles at the helm. However, with a nice bye week to rethink things and now victims of the disrespect by Vegas linesmakers dubbing them the first ever number 1 seed to be a home underdog in the playoffs, I think they are feeling rejuvenated and will play well today. Will it be enough to upset the Falcons who are on a redemption mission themselves after the most epic collapse in Super Bowl history just a season ago? I don't think it is.
After a strenuous season with many ups and downs while dealing with the usual Super Bowl hangover, the Falcons are hitting stride at the right time. Did they take full advantage of an inexperienced and young Rams Head Coach and team in their first playoff game last week? Absolutely. That doesn't negate the fact that they handled their business and dominated the team that was put in front of them, a very solid team in all aspects of the game might I add. Despite having many young players, this Atlanta defense really impressed me last season and since then they have improved greatly. They have really come into their own once again as the season wound down, just as they did last year. They also added some pieces where they needed help like DT Dontari Poe to help bolster up the run defense in the middle of the line. LB Deion Jones has become a premier playmaker for that LB core and fellow LB Vic Beasely has also started to live up to the hype he was drafted with. Last season they were without their shutdown CB Desmond Trufant and he is playing lights out at the moment. Up again Nick Foles today, I expect the Eagles to rely heavily on their RBs Jay Ajayi and LeGarette Blount to help get him comfortable. Both of these RBs have had success versus this Atlanta defense. Blount with the Pats last season, and Ajayi while still on Miami earlier this season. This isn't the same defense though as then, and these boys will be ready to stop the run and make Foles beat them. I do believe Foles will play well and that the Eagles will have success at times as they run on pure emotion and thrive off this electric crowd because make no mistake, unlike last week's game in LA, this is a true homefield advantage.
On the other sides of things Atlanta QB Matt Ryan is one of the best there is on 3rd down. Playing in his old stomping grounds as a Philly kid, I expect him to be locked in today and play well, and he will need to up against a hostile and physical Philly defense. Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz will surely have a great scheme in place today to give Ryan fits. I expect him to call the game with nothing to lose and knowing that his team will need a couple defensive sparks to gain momentum if they are going to win. That being said I expect the Eagles to be blitzing Ryan all game, but again Matty Ice is one of the coolest cucumbers there is under fire. The Falcons have some stud RBs of their own as we know and I think they will play smart here, and take what the defense gives them. I expect them also to run the rock in these cold and slick conditions and take their shots downfield against mismatches when those situations arise. The Philly front seven can be deadly and I'm sure they will have their moments with guys like DT Fletcher Cox leading the pack and I expect the ballhawking Safety Malcolm Jenkins to make himself known throughout as well. All in all I think this one is extremely close throughout and I have to admit I had a hard time calling it. Both teams have a stellar kicking game and I can see it being FGs back and forth with the Falcons pulling away late in the second half after a valiant effort by the Eagles. In the end, I see Atlanta advancing so that is the way I will side and I am not going to overthink it! FALCONS-2
