Keys to the Game as Eagles Face Packers

The Eagles open their season today against the Packers as three-point underdogs, facing one of the preseason favorites to make a run at an NFC Championship and a trip to the Super Bowl. If Philadelphia is going to come away with a season opening win, the Birds will need to execute at a high level and keep the following keys at the forefront of their game plan.

1. Protect Kevin Kolb – The Eagles offensive line is one of the big question marks headed into the season. Are Todd Herremans and Jamaal Jackson truly at 100 percent? Is Nick Cole the answer at right guard? The Birds were susceptible to blitzes in the preseason, so expect Green Bay to try to blitz early and often, until the Eagles prove they can stop it.

2. Pressure Aaron Rodgers – The inverse of the first key. The Packers gave up a league-worst 51 sacks last year, and although their line was better in the preseason, it’s still their biggest offensive weakness. The Eagles can’t allow Rodgers to sit back and carve up their defense, so they’ll have to get pressure. If they can do so with the front four, that’s a huge plus.

3. Cover Jermichael Finley – The Eagles struggled mightily against the tight end last season, and Finley is a young up and comer who could give strong side linebacker Akeem Jordan trouble. If Philadelphia can take away Finley, the cornerbacks still have a tough matchup against Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, but should be able to hold their own.

4. Target the Green Bay Secondary – Cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby open the season on the physically unable to perform list, leaving the defensive backfield vulnerable against an Eagles team that has always relied on the pass under Andy Reid. Look for the Eagles to use a lot of three and four wide sets to utilize their depth at the wide receiver position and test the Packers lack of depth at cornerback.

5. Special Teams – In an extremely tough matchup, the Eagles could get a huge boost from special teams. Assuming DeSean Jackson and Ellis Hobbs are the return men, they’re capable of making explosive plays that can provide a big boost to the Birds.