Bad News Everyone - [Lombardi opinion on matchup vs Eagles]

[Pats1989]

Rotating the D-line would negate the Pats tiring them out. It's going to be a tough game unless Foles melts under the pressure of the SB. I don't think he will. Look what Bortles did for 3-quarters in Gillette. I worry about the Pats D going up against this kind of offense. Not fast enough to deal with the dump offs on the edges to the running backs. I would run those same plays that Jax did then when the safeties creep up go down field. Fole CAN make those throws where Bortles didn't even try. Maybe the Pats offense can keep up. Expect a high scoring game.

Agreed on all counts. The emphasis needs to be foot on the gas from the start. If you win the toss, take the ball first. Go down & score. Put pressure on Philly. No more SB slow starts.

The Patriots are favored because of one guy: Tom Brady. But make no mistake, their D is more than capable of shutting down receivers that cannot get seperation. They'll double team Gronk. This D is better than the Jags.

Also, people keep referencing the 2014 Seahawks as the best team the Patriots have faced in the last decade plus. Agreed. Except, there's one issue: there's no Edelman and you got a concussed (likely) Gronk this time around. There's no Revis, Hightower, or even a Browner on D.

Someone mentioned Butler earlier. Is there any doubt this is his last game in a Patriots uniform? He's proven to not be a # 1 corner. Thanks for the pick, but it's time to move on.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

They actually lost 6-0 to the Cowboys, they beat the Raiders 19-10 only because the Raiders fumbled on the lateral after the time expired and the Eagles D scored a meaningless TD.

Before the Vikings game, the Eagles had 3 straight games in a row where they didn't scored a single offensive TD. I'll write this one more time: The Eagles had 3 straight games where they didn't score a single TD.

This team, and especially this offense, are getting severely overrated because of one game.

I hear you, but also going to consider that maybe Foles need time to shake his cobwebs off and get into his old routine with his OL and his teammates on the field (who were all used to Wentz by then; + I don't think the Miami RB was on the team when Foles first had the reigns, right?).

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

I spoke with Eagles fans and they said every starter was pulled from the Dallas game once they sewn up the 1 seed.

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

I hear you, but also going to consider that maybe Foles need time to shake his cobwebs off and get into his old routine with his OL and his teammates on the field (who were all used to Wentz by then; + I don't think the Miami RB was on the team when Foles first had the reigns, right?).

He was Ajayi was there but I do agree had to shake the rust and get acclimated to the game

 

[patsfanincleveland]

While I agree with most of your assessment, I still believe the Eagles should be favored. Tom Brady might be the goat, but Phillys D cancels that out. You compare the rest of the teams: Philly has a huge advantage on D. Furthermore, they don't make mistakes and tend not to get tired out. All of this works against the Patriots. I'll get blasted for this, but oh well. It's my professional opinion: If Philly gets up by two scores, there won't be a comeback. This team absolutely cannot afford another slow start. The foot needs to be on the gas from the start.

Where exactly is the source of this "huge advantage" on defense?

Maybe that's why you will get blasted.

Having not watched all of the Eagles game this year might be the problem because the games I did watch indicated this stems from mediots saying it was so.

 

[Kargetina]

Where exactly is the source of this "huge advantage" on defense?

Maybe that's why you will get blasted.

Having not watched all of the Eagles game this year might be the problem because the games I did watch indicated this stems from mediots saying it was so.

It's Pats1989, the biggest coward on this board, a guy with the mental fortitude of a banana.

We could play the 0-16 Lions and he would be pooping in his pants and making posts about our bad defense.

 

[sb1]

Do you mind explaining the Eagles over Seattle pick?

Not by much but yes. I'd take SEA's secondary over theirs but I think PHIs offense was not just better, it was elite. SEA's offense was nowhere near elite. SEA had nobody like T.O. Westbrook was very underrated. On defense the Freak was a beast. IMO the 2004 Patriots would have had their way with the 2014 Seahawks and they only beat those Eagles by 3.

Probably one of the best Eagles teams Philly has ever had.

 

[Nehalem]

It's Pats1989, the biggest coward on this board, a guy with the mental fortitude of a banana.

We could play the 0-16 Lions and he would be pooping in his pants and making posts about our bad defense.

Probably spends to much time listening to BB talk about our opponents

 

[sb1]

I agree with the take that the outcome of this game might swing on Gronk's presence and his health. With Gronk we can win a shootout. I don't think the horizontal game will be there just like it wasn't vs Jax. They can beat that by Gronk making catches over the middle.

Without him it will be tough.

 

[RIpats88]

That monster eagles dline had 38 sacks all season, 4 less than the patriots supposed weak dline. They sacked case keenum once

Just saying.

 

[Charlotte Pats Fan]

While I agree with most of your assessment, I still believe the Eagles should be favored. Tom Brady might be the goat, but Phillys D cancels that out. You compare the rest of the teams: Philly has a huge advantage on D. Furthermore, they don't make mistakes and tend not to get tired out. All of this works against the Patriots. I'll get blasted for this, but oh well. It's my professional opinion: If Philly gets up by two scores, there won't be a comeback. This team absolutely cannot afford another slow start. The foot needs to be on the gas from the start.

What? Professional opinion!!!!! Please tell us you don't get paid to post this chicken little crap every week.

 

[Pats1989]

It's Pats1989, the biggest coward on this board, a guy with the mental fortitude of a banana.

We could play the 0-16 Lions and he would be pooping in his pants and making posts about our bad defense.

Again, Brady is the goat, and that's why most will pick the Patriots. Otherwise, what x's and o's reasoning can people give for the Patriots being better? Gronk isn't light years ahead of the Philly TE (not this season) to make up for the huge advantage Philly has on D. It's simply laughable how much more talented they are. Add to the fact, Gronk may not play.

Foles is a # 1 QB on most nfl rosters. He's not a Bortles type where the team will play it safe. Pederson is definitely better than Marrone & Mularkey. Their fans will make it a home game.

So, yeah your damm straight I'm worried. Plus, the team has come out flat in three straight playoff games. Obviously, I've been a pessimist for over a year. I apologized for that. But I'm calling a spade a spade here: Philly is the better overall team.

When I say Pederson is better than the other two, I mean in this way: he doesn't have the type of QB in which you need to take a knee with 55 seconds left in the half. He won't play conservative on a ten point lead.

 

[Ivan]

Agreed on all counts. The emphasis needs to be foot on the gas from the start. If you win the toss, take the ball first. Go down & score. Put pressure on Philly. No more SB slow starts.

The Patriots are favored because of one guy: Tom Brady. But make no mistake, their D is more than capable of shutting down receivers that cannot get seperation. They'll double team Gronk. This D is better than the Jags.

Also, people keep referencing the 2014 Seahawks as the best team the Patriots have faced in the last decade plus. Agreed. Except, there's one issue: there's no Edelman and you got a concussed (likely) Gronk this time around. There's no Revis, Hightower, or even a Browner on D.

Someone mentioned Butler earlier. Is there any doubt this is his last game in a Patriots uniform? He's proven to not be a # 1 corner. Thanks for the pick, but it's time to move on.

Greatly appreciate the negativity.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Again, Brady is the goat, and that's why most will pick the Patriots. Otherwise, what x's and o's reasoning can people give for the Patriots being better? Gronk isn't light years ahead of the Philly TE (not this season) to make up for the huge advantage Philly has on D. It's simply laughable how much more talented they are. Add to the fact, Gronk may not play.

Foles is a # 1 QB on most nfl rosters. He's not a Bortles type where the team will play it safe. Pederson is definitely better than Marrone & Mularkey. Their fans will make it a home game.

So, yeah your damm straight I'm worried. Plus, the team has come out flat in three straight playoff games. Obviously, I've been a pessimist for over a year. I apologized for that. But I'm calling a spade a spade here: Philly is the better overall team.

When I say Pederson is better than the other two, I mean in this way: he doesn't have the type of QB in which you need to take a knee with 55 seconds left in the half. He won't play conservative on a ten point lead.

You need to change your forum name to DarkCloud1989.... jk ... you worry way too much man.
2 of the NFL's best teams this year ... both belong and it's a fight to the finish as it should be.

 

[Ivan]

Again, Brady is the goat, and that's why most will pick the Patriots. Otherwise, what x's and o's reasoning can people give for the Patriots being better? Gronk isn't light years ahead of the Philly TE (not this season) to make up for the huge advantage Philly has on D. It's simply laughable how much more talented they are. Add to the fact, Gronk may not play.

Foles is a # 1 QB on most nfl rosters. He's not a Bortles type where the team will play it safe. Pederson is definitely better than Marrone & Mularkey. Their fans will make it a home game.

So, yeah your damm straight I'm worried. Plus, the team has come out flat in three straight playoff games. Obviously, I've been a pessimist for over a year. I apologized for that. But I'm calling a spade a spade here: Philly is the better overall team.

When I say Pederson is better than the other two, I mean in this way: he doesn't have the type of QB in which you need to take a knee with 55 seconds left in the half. He won't play conservative on a ten point lead.

Spare us the “ I’m just calling a spade a spade “ horsesh!t,” The Patriots are the better team, with the better coach, and the better QB by eight million miles. Foles QB rating prior to Sunday was 34, he sucks, that’s why he almost retired. And as far as defenses go the Patriots were a top scoring defense and Philly is as well. Phil’s strength is up front and the Patriots is their secondary. The idea that the Eagles are a better team is flat out laughable, and the Patriots will prove that on February 4th.

 

[Tony2046]

While I agree with most of your assessment, I still believe the Eagles should be favored. Tom Brady might be the goat, but Phillys D cancels that out. You compare the rest of the teams: Philly has a huge advantage on D. Furthermore, they don't make mistakes and tend not to get tired out. All of this works against the Patriots. I'll get blasted for this, but oh well. It's my professional opinion: If Philly gets up by two scores, there won't be a comeback. This team absolutely cannot afford another slow start. The foot needs to be on the gas from the start.

Wowza. Have you even watched one Philly game?? My God man.

"Brady might be the goat" ??? He is the GOAT.

"But Philly's D cancels that out" ?? WHAT!!!

hahahahahaha

 

[Ivan]

Wowza. Have you even watched one Philly game?? My God man.

"Brady might be the goat" ??? He is the GOAT.

"But Philly's D cancels that out" ?? WHAT!!!

hahahahahaha

They could be playing the Giants and these guys would be going” OMG, NOT THE GIANTS, WE’RE DOOMED!!!”

 

[SlowGettingUp]

And then of course there is this that should quell all the statistical naysayers:

Teams that have worn white have won 12 of the last 13 Super Bowls

 

[Modest]

Can anyone tell me what kind of defense Philly runs? Cover 2/ etc? And how Brady has performed against said defenses in the past? For instance there was an EXCELLENT article before the Jags game that showed how strong they were against 11 personnel but faired a lot worse vs teams that ran other groupings like the 49ers. Usually these articles pop up within a week of the matchup but I'd love if someone who watches a few Eagles games could let me know early.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Eagles were 15th in sacks this year ... we were 7th.

All I care about is pass rush - it's the only thing that neutralizes Brady and the Eagles are not the Panthers.