We saw it dramatically illustrated by the Packers’ win Thursday night over the Bears—despite key guys being absent due to injury or suspension, you can draw even, fall behind early, but still trust your overall game plan to overcome in the end.
Maybe it’s more about overall team work ethic than available talent?
Look, I’m not asking for a complete-game shutout or a no-hitter to be thrown by the Eagles against the Vikings in our house on Sunday— just asking for a smart game plan that compensates for the pieces of the pie lost due to injury and suspension. The will to win against all odds is playing into the evaluation of this squad as well.
Alex Smith at PE.com defines the challenge better than I can:
“The Eagles’ offense is looking for a way to get back on track. After posting 34 points against a physical Steelers defense, the Eagles have struggled to move the ball in each of the last two games (despite scoring 43 combined points in the two losses). The challenge of turning things around becomes even more difficult when the Minnesota Vikings defense is standing in the way.”
“Minnesota boasts some of the best defensive statistics in the league, ranking first in scoring defense (12.6), second in total defense (287.6) and second in interceptions (nine). The unit has flourished under the leadership of head coach Mike Zimmer, who for years was one of the game’s top defensive coordinators before heading to Minnesota.”
“When you go up against a Coach Zimmer defense, it’s always the biggest challenge of the year,” said Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich. “They are so well-coached, very disciplined, tough, fast. Good challenge for us this week – great schemes, very well-coached and good personnel. We have our work cut out for us.”
“The Vikings’ defense is solid on every level, from the defensive line to the secondary, but there aren’t really any superstar players. While safety Harrison Smith, defensive end Everson Griffen and linebacker Anthony Barr are all very strong players, the Vikings’ success comes from the entire unit playing as a team, rather than relying on game-changing individual performances.”
“Everything you look for in a defense, they pretty much have it,” said tight end Zach Ertz. “Great safety play, extremely talented corners and their front seven is extremely talented, so we’re going to have to bring our best on Sunday.”
One of the reasons why Minnesota has had so much success on defense has been its ability to get to the quarterback. The Vikings have 19 sacks on the season (tied for third in the NFL), and they present a challenge for even the most veteran of quarterbacks. Carson Wentz hasn’t backed down from any challenge thrown his way five games into his rookie season. He’s helped bring the Eagles back in the last two games, and he’s eager to test his skills against one of the best defenses the NFL has to offer.
“They’re fast. They fly around and they play with a lot of confidence. You can tell they’re coached really well,” Wentz said. “They have some really good schemes. They don’t do a ton. They like to mix it up on third downs, but they just do what they do and do it well.
“They’re well known for their double-A (gap) pressures and they like to do different things with it. That obviously poses problems for offenses, but you just have to go in there with a plan. We’re creating a really good plan and we’ll be ready for it.”
Okay… We know what the Eagles offense is facing in terms of strategic obstacles— now let’s look at the overall health report—
Center Jason Kelce returned to practice Thursday after being sidelined Wednesday due to plantar fasciitis.
“Feeling good. Went out there today, foot felt great. Didn’t notice it,” Kelce said.
The Eagles will need all the help that they can get up front. Among defensive lines in the NFL, the Vikings’ unit ranks first with 17 sacks.
The only Eagle who did not participate in Thursday’s practice was defensive tackle Bennie Logan, who has a groin strain.
Cornerback Ron Brooks (calf) was limited. Every one else, including cornerback Leodis McKelvin who is eyeing a return to action from a hamstring injury, was a full participant.
Coming off the bye week, the Vikings only had two players miss practice for a second straight day – defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (knee) and tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee/ankle). Four players were limited including wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who missed the Week 5 win over Houston due to a groin injury.
So I reckon the physical health score between the two teams is a wash.
Watching closely how the Packers got wide receiver Ty Montgomery successfully involved as a running back in their injury-decimated offensive backfield on Thursday, I am optimistic that Doug Pederson took notice with regard to his opportunity to get wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham more involved in the Eagles offense against Minnesota.
DGB was on the field for 81 percent of the snaps Sunday against the Washington Redskins, which is by far the most he has been featured this season. Based on offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s comments Thursday, it sounds like it was more than just a one-week blip.
“DGB is playing very well. I think he looks fast, he looks strong. We see it every time he gets the ball in his hands, he’s hard to tackle,” said Reich. “He’s a big man who can run fast. He’s gaining more and more confidence. He’s another guy that when you sit down, you say, ‘How do we continue to get him the ball more and more?’ Without a doubt, he’s a big-play guy.”
Kinda like the same “Eureka” moment the Packers had with Ty Montgomery on Thursday night, I think…
The Eagles acquired Green-Beckham from the Tennessee Titans in mid-August for reserve offensive lineman Dennis Kelly. The former second-round pick was given a limited role early as he absorbed Doug Pederson’s playbook. Now that he’s more familiar with the system, the Eagles coaching staff is starting to feed him more.
“Yeah, I don’t feel like there’s any limitations anymore,” said Reich. “I really don’t feel like there’s any limitations. So I think he’s full speed.”
The Eagles could certainly use a boost at the receiver position. Outside of Jordan Matthews (22 catches, 344 yards, 2 TDs), they don’t have a single player with over 200 receiving yards through five games. Nelson Agholor (16 catches, 181 yards) and Josh Huff (8 catches, 24 yards) have both been rather quiet.
Green-Beckham has 11 catches for 131 yards on the season. He finished with one catch for 23 yards on four targets against Washington, but had a 38-yard catch-and-run negated by a penalty.
At the very least, the 6-foot-5, 237-pound former second-round pick out of Missouri has the ability to provide a spark.
He caught 32 balls for 549 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie. The Titans apparently grew frustrated with his inconsistency. While it’s to be determined how it plays out for him in Philly, the coaching staff seems pleased with his progress to this point.
“Absolutely,” said Reich, when asked if Green-Beckham is doing what he is asked to do on his routes. “If I’m grading him out on his route technique and assignments, as far as being 100 percent on his assignments and as far as the route technique that he’s using, he’s playing very well.”
Go get ’em, Ty….I mean, Dorial!!!
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