Eagles vs. Jaguars: What The Eagles Need To Do To Win

If I had told you three months ago that in Week 3 of the NFL Season, the Eagles would be rolling into Jacksonville with Michael Vick as their starter after nearly dropping a game to the Lions, you’d have been justified if you’d laughed in my face. But that once-dreaded scenario has now taken on a much rosier shade. The Eagles are bringing a ton of momentum into Jacksonville after scoring 52 points in the last two games with Vick under center. But is this team for real? Or will opposing teams eventually adjust to the Eagles new advantage and bring the franchise back down to earth? Either way, tomorrow’s matchup against the Jaguars is an important game. Here’s how the Eagles can ensure a win.

• Vick needs to continue his good play. This could be a tall order for #7. I’m betting the Jaguars will focus on disrupting the Eagles very easily disrupted offensive line so that they can prevent Vick from getting comfortable. Fortunately, at least thus far in 2010, Vick has done some of his best work while facing a collapsing pocket. He’ll need to continue to keep plays alive with his mobility and make plays with his feet. He’s also facing another poor pass defense this week (the Jags are ranked 29^th in the NFL), so he’ll need to be looking for big play opportunities down the field.
• The offensive line needs to protect Vick. At least make an effort. The Eagles are dead last in the NFL in sacks allowed. They’ve given up 12 sacks in just two games. Let’s put it this way: they’re on pace to give up 96 sacks. I think I’m going to let that one speak for itself.
• Don’t let Maurice Jones-Drew into the secondary. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one who watched Lions rookie Jahvid Best treat the Philadelphia defensive backs like his own personal stomping ground last week. Guess what? The Eagles are facing another talented playmaker out of the backfield this week, and just because MJD hasn’t broken out this year doesn’t mean that he won’t. It’s obvious that tackling isn’t the secondary’s strong point, so the Eagles need to play tough along the line of scrimmage so that they contain the undersized Jacksonville running back and prevent him from getting room to run.
• Pressure the opposing QB. David Garrard used to be one of the most accurate passers in the NFL. But those days are long gone and the Jaguars quarterback is coming off of a 38-13 loss to San Diego in which he was pulled late in the game after throwing 4 INT’s. The Eagles need to utilize a creative pass rush to find ways of getting guys like Juqua Parker (who already has three sacks on the year) into the backfield. Keeping the pressure on Garrard will give the defensive backs the opportunity to cash in on his mistakes. This secondary may not be the most accomplished tacklers, but they rarely miss a chance at snagging a turnover (they’re tied for the league lead with 4 INT’s on the year).

It’s looking increasingly likely that head coach Andy Reid is on the hot seat in Philadelphia. He needs to win now. How else do you explain his benching of Kevin Kolb after he’s expressly stated that Kolb was the starter?

Lucky for him, this is a winnable game. At least, I think it’s as winnable as the Eagles want to make it. Last week, it seemed that the team was perfectly content to let the Lions back in to the competition. That can’t happen this week.

Because if it does, Andy Reid’s seat is going to get even hotter.