Patriots-Eagles Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) – The CBSBoston sports team makes their predictions for the New England Patriots tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Andy Gresh, 98.5 The Sports Hub
This is a very dangerous game because Philadelphia has a lot of weapons. Luckily we don't know ultimately what Vince Young is going to give them. Some might say this is a trap game, but I don't think so.
Gresh & Zo Whiteboard: Multi Looks From Eagles Offense
I think the Patriots are very aware of how good Philadelphia is, and being on the road makes them focus more. Pressure Vince Young in the pocket, force him to throw but don't let him beat you deep. I know, easier said than done, especially with this secondary.
Still, I see a Patriots win, 31-27.
Scott Zolak, 98.5 The Sports Hub
The biggest game was the Sunday night matchup; by beating the Giants, Philadelphia all of a sudden it takes the trap game element out of it. Belichick's got a week of telling this team 'hey we got beat by a physical Giants team who in turn got beat by Philadelphia with their backup quarterback.'
Read: Pats-Eagles Matchups
Even though it is Vince Young, I think Vick is a more dynamic player. Young can make plays, but I think he is hesitant to run at times because he's so worried about staying in the pocket. You saw what the Jets defense can do to this offense when it's not ready to play. Take a shot at Asante Samuel because he will take chances, and if anybody knows this corner more so than anybody it's Bill Belichick.
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
This could be one of the most talented teams the Patriots have faced all year. They are stacked on both sides of the ball and they have a home run hitter in DeSean Jackson on special teams.
Read: Levan Reid's Patriots Blog
The Pats will have to have a fast start in this one and this could actually be the last true test they have on the schedule. I was tempted to take the Eagles because Philadelphia has their backs up against the wall. But I think the Pats know, this is their last test.
The offensive line needs a good showing and this Eagles defense can test them. I would not be surprised if the Pats lost this game, but I am picking them to win.
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
The Patriots face arguably the most talented team they've seen all season long in the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Offensively, I think they caught a break with the Nnamdi Asomugha injury/scare in practice on Thursday. Tom Brady will have to be a lot sharper in this one than he was against the Chiefs last weekend. If Brady is on from the get-go then the Patriots should be able to prevail in what could be an awesome football game. The Eagles have become much tougher to run against and they have 10 different players with at least one sack so protection will be key. Defensive Tackle Cullen Jenkins and Defensive End Jason Babin are beasts, so look for them be chasing Brady all day long.
Defensively, the Pats will have their hands full with the NFL's leading rusher LeSean McCoy. The Pats haven't faced this tough a back since maybe Fred Jackson of Buffalo and Darren McFadden/Michael Bush of Oakland. Add in, a strong WR corps led by Jeremy Maclin(if healthy) and DeSean Jackson and it could be a tough day for the steadily improving Patriots defense. And, either Michael Vick or Vince Young at QB will be tough.
The Eagles should have a much better than 4-6 record and unfortunately for the Patriots, Philly is now fighting for its playoff life on a weekly basis.
For the first time all season I am picking against the Pats: Philly 31-20
Walt Perkins, WBZ NewsRadio 1030
The Patriots go up against another NFC East team on Sunday. They'll face the Eagles in Philadelphia and be looking to improve upon their 7-3 record. The Eagles take a 4-6 record into the contest.
The comments during the week from Foxboro laud the Eagles on both sides of the football. Nothing new there, as bulletin board ammo coming from New England is akin to Bayes Theorem flowing from the lips of Ndamukong Suh.
The Eagles have their share of talented players. But as we have seen throughout our lives, a collection of talented individuals does not a team make.
The Patriots may have caught a break on Thanksgiving when Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha went down in practice with an apparent left knee injury. Asomugha had to be taken from the field on a cart. Naturally, the Eagles have offered no information as to the extent of the injury although a teammate said it was not as bad as it looked, whatever that means (I'm not a doctor but I play one on the football field).
Of course, we are talking about the Patriots offense. The Philly cornerbacks may be a mute point given Tom Brady's favorite targets, besides Wes Welker who plays in the slot, are his talented tight ends. I don't think we will see Asante Samuel covering Rob Gronkowski or Aaron Hernandez.
Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis is healthier than he has been in a month (toe) and should produce anywhere from 80-100 yards on the ground, getting the tough 2 or 3 yards when he is asked to.
Patriots 36, Eagles 17
Tune in to the Patriots-Eagles matchup Sunday afternoon at 4:15pm on 98.5 The Sports Hub and WBZ-TV. Pregame coverage begins on WBZ at 11:30am Sunday morning with Patriots Gameday, followed by 98.5′s coverage beginning at 1pm. Tune in after the game for all the postgame reaction and analysis on 98.5, and over on MY TV38 on Patriots Fifth Quarter
