Falcons - Eagles: Holding the Rock and Left Tackle?
The Best Defense is a Good Offense?
If Wentz was not collateral damage, and was playing the Philly Cheese Steaks would be 6 or 7 point favs, and I would still take the Dirty Birds +7. Why? The old axiom defense wins championships. At a minimum, for a defense to be great, it must be accompanied by a proficient offense that holds the rock, and does not turn the ball over.
The new Foles birds cannot falter on offense, as in decreased time of possession. Why? The defense is rated #1 against the run and #17 vs the pass. Why? Wentz held the rock, kept his defense rested, and scored, putting his team ahead.
When a team gets behind by enough points, they tend to stop running and attempt to throw the ball more. So that #1 D rating against the rush also has a caveat, the fewest attempts to do so because opponents were too busy trying to catch up via the pass viz. the run D has not been tested so much.
What happens if an opponent gets ahead and continues to hold the rock on them? Refer to the boxscore of each of their close games and losses this year.
Right now, Hotlanta are playing at championship level on both sides of the ball, with a even keel, as in run and pass balance. There might be two defenses in the NFL (Shags and Vikes) capable of stopping their offense and tiring out their defense.
Bottom line, being the #1 team in time of possession, the Falcon offense keeps the other teams defense on the field, the longest. Foles must respond like Wentz, by holding the rock, and scoring, otherwise, it could be a long ugly day for the Eagle defense.
Getting Blindsided?
One other important item, they say its a team game, but sometimes a key position player makes all the difference. Look at the Pokes, it wasn't Elliot's suspension, that's a bunch of uneducated MSM BS.
Without offensive left tackle Tyron Smith, the Pokes struggled to run or pass. Without middle linebacker Lee, their defensive QB, the Poke defense became porous.
In a similar boat, last year while All-Pro Eagle offensive right tackle Lane Johnson was suspended for 10 games, 2nd string lineman Vaitai filled in and the Eagles struggled.
This year, since the Eagles All-Pro offensive left tackle Jason Peters, who provided blindside blocking for a right handed QB, and left edge run blocking, went down in Week 7, his sub Vaitai, struggled in allowing his QB to be pressured 5 times a game or more.
To make matters worse, with all the stress, Vaitai suffered a knee injury three games back. Saturday, Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn with 9.5 sacks will be waiting to test out Mr. V as a human turn style. Hopefully, the extra week of rest will help Vaitai's cause.
To neutralize Clayborn, the Eagles will have to avoid the East West stretch, and run North South directly at him. The Falcons are well aware of the above and given Foles lack of arm, will selectively send their LB's and safeties, where they have tremendous team speed, in to stuff the box, and run.
FYI, while the public is all over the Falcons, Patriots, Steeler's and Saints, smart money or sharps are large on the Jaguars and Vikings. Should be must see football TV, enjoy.
If Wentz was not collateral damage, and was playing the Philly Cheese Steaks would be 6 or 7 point favs, and I would still take the Dirty Birds +7. Why? The old axiom defense wins championships. At a minimum, for a defense to be great, it must be accompanied by a proficient offense that holds the rock, and does not turn the ball over.
The new Foles birds cannot falter on offense, as in decreased time of possession. Why? The defense is rated #1 against the run and #17 vs the pass. Why? Wentz held the rock, kept his defense rested, and scored, putting his team ahead.
When a team gets behind by enough points, they tend to stop running and attempt to throw the ball more. So that #1 D rating against the rush also has a caveat, the fewest attempts to do so because opponents were too busy trying to catch up via the pass viz. the run D has not been tested so much.
What happens if an opponent gets ahead and continues to hold the rock on them? Refer to the boxscore of each of their close games and losses this year.
Right now, Hotlanta are playing at championship level on both sides of the ball, with a even keel, as in run and pass balance. There might be two defenses in the NFL (Shags and Vikes) capable of stopping their offense and tiring out their defense.
Bottom line, being the #1 team in time of possession, the Falcon offense keeps the other teams defense on the field, the longest. Foles must respond like Wentz, by holding the rock, and scoring, otherwise, it could be a long ugly day for the Eagle defense.
Getting Blindsided?
One other important item, they say its a team game, but sometimes a key position player makes all the difference. Look at the Pokes, it wasn't Elliot's suspension, that's a bunch of uneducated MSM BS.
Without offensive left tackle Tyron Smith, the Pokes struggled to run or pass. Without middle linebacker Lee, their defensive QB, the Poke defense became porous.
In a similar boat, last year while All-Pro Eagle offensive right tackle Lane Johnson was suspended for 10 games, 2nd string lineman Vaitai filled in and the Eagles struggled.
This year, since the Eagles All-Pro offensive left tackle Jason Peters, who provided blindside blocking for a right handed QB, and left edge run blocking, went down in Week 7, his sub Vaitai, struggled in allowing his QB to be pressured 5 times a game or more.
To make matters worse, with all the stress, Vaitai suffered a knee injury three games back. Saturday, Falcons defensive end Adrian Clayborn with 9.5 sacks will be waiting to test out Mr. V as a human turn style. Hopefully, the extra week of rest will help Vaitai's cause.
To neutralize Clayborn, the Eagles will have to avoid the East West stretch, and run North South directly at him. The Falcons are well aware of the above and given Foles lack of arm, will selectively send their LB's and safeties, where they have tremendous team speed, in to stuff the box, and run.
FYI, while the public is all over the Falcons, Patriots, Steeler's and Saints, smart money or sharps are large on the Jaguars and Vikings. Should be must see football TV, enjoy.
Comments