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Week 11 Preview: Eagles at Packers
Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) at Green Bay Packers (6-3)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
*Keys to the game: The jury is still out on QB Mark Sanchez, but the Eagles’ offense is certainly capitalizing on more drives since he took over for injured Nick Foles. Ranked last in red-zone efficiency two weeks ago, Philadelphia has scored touchdowns on all seven of its trips inside the 20-yard line with Sanchez behind center. Green Bay’s defense is getting healthier, but still allowed an average of 142.6 rushing yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry. Philadelphia’s ability to maintain balance, extend drives and steadily gas the defense with its tempo in frigid conditions is the key to the Eagles keeping pace in a likely shootout.
The Packers have scored 166 points in winning their first four home games this season, and QB Aaron Rodgers has thrown 25 TDs against just three INTs on the season. “Rodgers is playing as well as you’ve ever seen him play. His receivers are catching everything,” Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis noted. Philadelphia is coming off arguably its best defensive effort of the season Monday night vs. Carolina, and the key for the Eagles is to add significantly to their 32 sacks on the season. They are also second only to Cleveland in opponent completion percentage (57.2), but Davis views Rodgers as a true litmus test as to where his defense is.
*Matchup to watch – Eagles OLB Connor Barwin vs. Packers OL: Barwin leads the NFL with 10.5, one shy of his career high and leading the NFC. He racked up 3.5 last week, and needs another dominating performance. He’ll line up all over the defense and place pressure on various spots along the Packers’ line.
*Player spotlight – Packers LB Clay Matthews: Matthews moved inside in base packages last week and had his most productive game of the season, including a career-high 11 tackles and a sack. He’s expected to play a similar role against the Eagles, sliding back outside on third down or in nickel packages.
*Fast facts: Eagles RB LeSean McCoy has been held under 25 rushing yards three times this season. It happened just twice over the previous four seasons combined. … Rodgers has not thrown an interception at Lambeau Field in 286 attempts, dating back to December of 2012. … The Packers will replica uniforms from 1929, when Green Bay won the first of its 13 NFL titles. The uniform includes a navy blue top with a player’s jersey number imprinted in a big yellow circle imprinted on the front.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Packers have a plus-95 scoring margin in the first half of their past three home games. Rodgers is playing at an extremely high level, especially at Lambeau, and the constant pressure to keep pace ultimately will lead to a handful of costly mistakes from Sanchez.
*Our pick: Packers 34-26
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