Now that I've had time to really look into the Eagles here is how I think they should be attacked.
The Eagles are a very good and deep team. But I think we have talked WAY too much about that depth. In the end it is the top players that have brought the Eagles to where they are and they have some good ones.
Patriots offense vs Eagles defense.
The key players here are DT/DE Cox, DE Graham, LB Kendricks, CB Peterson and SS Jenkins. They have a lot of other good players but if you want to bear this defense these are the guys you need to talk about first. The most important to talk about by far IMO are Cox and Graham
Everything the Eagles do well on defense really starts on the DL. They have a very good and deep rotation with guys like Jernigan, Long and Curry who they play a lot but in the end it is Cox and Fletcher who create most of the issues on the DL and are on the field nearly every play. Graham is one of the best run stopping DEs in the NFL and a big reason why there run D is so stout. To run against this front is usually a waste of time.
The key is to pass, pass pass with the occasional run just to keep your play action effective. Some people have said "but they have such a deep rotation that running 90 plays on offense won't work." BS! I don't care if we don't tire out Jernigan, Long and Curry or Barnett. They are good players but they are unlikely to be the reason the Patriots lose. We need to focus on tiring out Graham and Cox. If it gets to the 4th and they are gassed suddenly this fearsome front becomes fairly average or perhaps even below. Everything they do well on the front really starts with these players and we should do everything we can to either get them off the field to catch their breath and make them a step slower.
Kendricks is the key to their LBs. Interestingly enough even being their best LB he isn't on the feild as much as you think. He averages about 60% of the snaps a game even though he is the most athletic of the bunch. Probably cause he is a fairly small LB at 235 and don't want him in for certain downs. It is in fact Bradham who is on the field all the time but he is a tackler and not really a player maker. A solid guy but not one who kills you. When Kendrick is on the field I look to either get the play away from his speed or see if you can get him on a slot WR (we will lose that match). If possible get a screen pass and let Allen push him over. He has a lot of speed and makes a lot of players but he is a guy you can play around and have to try to. If you let him play his game he is hard to beat and if he is off the field that i a sign to go full hurry up and keep him off. Penalize them for not having him in there all the time.
When it comes to the DBs their top CBs are Mills and Darby. Mills is having a good playoffs after a bit of a down year and Darby has been fairly solid. The star of this group has been Peterson who does well in his role. He perhaps is the most talent of the bunch and most likely to make the big play (we saw that pick 6 against the Vikings)
In man Peterson to me has been the most consistently dangerous of the bunch but he is just as good in zone and isn't afraid to take smart risk. For my money I say attack Mills with Cooks. All 3 CB though their skill sets are different are all about the same size and weight. I think it be interesting to see who matches up with who the best.
Jenkins has been one of the best SS in the league for years but not so much this year or really last year as much either. He really is starting to look older. I think he is a guy who you can look to attack who has lost a step but if the play is in front of him he can make things happen. You get him running backwards or chasing and he is unlikely to make the player. Their FS is the key weak spot to attack. They are not a great coverage tandem imo but are better against the run.
I say play fast and aggressive. Spread the ball out and see how they deal with Gronk and Cooks. This is a team you need to challenge deep and in man on occasion if the safeties mess up but generally keep it short most of the time. I think comeback routes will be very effective here. As a video i saw can say better than I rub routes are a big weakness. These guys want to play in zone and going in a straight line. Dump offs to RBs particularly away from Kendrick or when he isn't on the field will be hard for them to deal with. Jenkins is still very good with those but you can get some good yards there but they do sniff it out fairly too.
Andrews has had a great playoffs and season really. This will be his hardest test yet. Graham to me is the single biggest issue particularly if he lines up against Flemming.
Mills is having a good playoff run so test him and see how he is playing that day. If Jenkins is one on one with Gronk toss it up. Just like you would anyone else. This 30 year old Jenkins can't handle Gronk and even at 25 it be hard.
