If Spadaro is right the Eagles will win this game outright...for me it's too close to call but the Birds know they need to win to keep pace for home field. I may put a homer pick small on the moneyline and hope they can slow down Ricky but I wouldn't make it HUGE
Keep in mind the teams that have beaten them have been better defensive then offensive as is the case tonight (TB, Dallas and NE are all far better defensive teams). Birds have the intangibles though and they expect 20,000 Eagle fans at this game.
Good luck tonight!
sb
A Showcase Night For A Prime-Time Group
December 15, 2003
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- There are so many Eagles fans in these parts that by the time the bright lights go on tonight, the players will think they're in balmy Philadelphia. The atmosphere here is incredible. Brian Dawkins jerseys outflank Ricky Williams jerseys 5 to 1.
Let's hope it's that way on the field.
Stopping Williams is priority No. 1 for the Eagles tonight. But there are others in this extremely important game. The Eagles need to keep pace with the Rams. The Dolphins are desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
So here is my List Of Must Do's For the Eagles to beat Miami this evening at Pro Player Stadium, they have to...
1. Gang up on Ricky Williams
He's going to get a ton of carries. Williams is so tough because he's got incredible lower body strength. The Eagles need to gang tackle him, box him in, take away his first step. Sam Rayburn will play a lot because he's got so much strength, and the Eagles will need their defensive tackles to get the first hit and get some help from their friends.
It's important not to allow Williams to get to the edges. It's important he's not allowed to get a head of steam.
The numbers the Eagles should shoot for: 27 carries, 80 yards. If the Eagles hold Williams to those numbers, they win.
2. Complete 60 percent of their passes
I think the Eagles will throw the ball a little bit. I think they can create some matchups where Brian Westbrook is in space, or where they can get the short passing game going.
The completion percentage goal, then, is 60 percent. If Donovan McNabb does that, he's moving the chains, gaining first downs, playing ball-control offense.
The Eagles can't afford early three-and-out possessions. They need to come out early with some fire and keep Miami's offense off the field.
I don't want anything flashy, just a lot of high-percentage passes and chunks of yardage.
3. Score in the first quarter and get a lead
The Eagles have outscored their opponents 61-29 in the first quarter of games. That's outstanding. If they do that tonight, they could beat the Dolphins handily, because Miami just doesn't play from behind very well.
If the Eagles get a lead, they force Jay Fiedler to make plays and I don't care what anyone says, he's just not close to 100 percent. He won't be mobile tonight. Under pressure, he'll make mistakes. Under pressure, Fiedler plays right into the Eagles' hands.
And if the Dolphins are playing from behind, they can't afford to go on many 13-play, 75-yard drives. If the Eagles can get a lead early, they dominate.
4. Win the turnover battle
I know that it goes without saying, but the team that turns the ball over the least wins this game. You saw last week against Dallas how much difference a turnover makes. Same deal tonight.
Williams can put the ball on the ground. Fiedler certainly can. Make it happen.
5. Get McNabb out of the pocket
Miami's defense is all about speed, and the Dolphins are also very structured and very disciplined. If McNabb runs early, it blows the Dolphins' scheme out of the water.
So I wouldn't be surprised to see the Eagles design a run or two early for McNabb. Get the Dolphins back on their heels. Force their defensive backs to commit to McNabb's scrambling. Then beat them for big plays down the field.
The bottom line here is that I think the Eagles are a better team. They have more dimensions to the offense and the defense is in the same ballpark as Miami. The Eagles special teams are playing very well.
There are some factors to consider: Nate Wayne will test out his ankle before the game but is questionable to play. The crowd is decidely split and the Eagles rowdies need to get into the action early and often. Both teams need the game.
I just like the Eagles here. Miami has Ricky Williams, a terrific receiver in Chris Chambers and a fine tight end in Randy McMichael plus a great defense.
The Eagles have the superior T-E-A-M. In the end, that wins.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Dolphins 14
Keep in mind the teams that have beaten them have been better defensive then offensive as is the case tonight (TB, Dallas and NE are all far better defensive teams). Birds have the intangibles though and they expect 20,000 Eagle fans at this game.
Good luck tonight!
sb
A Showcase Night For A Prime-Time Group
December 15, 2003
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- There are so many Eagles fans in these parts that by the time the bright lights go on tonight, the players will think they're in balmy Philadelphia. The atmosphere here is incredible. Brian Dawkins jerseys outflank Ricky Williams jerseys 5 to 1.
Let's hope it's that way on the field.
Stopping Williams is priority No. 1 for the Eagles tonight. But there are others in this extremely important game. The Eagles need to keep pace with the Rams. The Dolphins are desperate for a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
So here is my List Of Must Do's For the Eagles to beat Miami this evening at Pro Player Stadium, they have to...
1. Gang up on Ricky Williams
He's going to get a ton of carries. Williams is so tough because he's got incredible lower body strength. The Eagles need to gang tackle him, box him in, take away his first step. Sam Rayburn will play a lot because he's got so much strength, and the Eagles will need their defensive tackles to get the first hit and get some help from their friends.
It's important not to allow Williams to get to the edges. It's important he's not allowed to get a head of steam.
The numbers the Eagles should shoot for: 27 carries, 80 yards. If the Eagles hold Williams to those numbers, they win.
2. Complete 60 percent of their passes
I think the Eagles will throw the ball a little bit. I think they can create some matchups where Brian Westbrook is in space, or where they can get the short passing game going.
The completion percentage goal, then, is 60 percent. If Donovan McNabb does that, he's moving the chains, gaining first downs, playing ball-control offense.
The Eagles can't afford early three-and-out possessions. They need to come out early with some fire and keep Miami's offense off the field.
I don't want anything flashy, just a lot of high-percentage passes and chunks of yardage.
3. Score in the first quarter and get a lead
The Eagles have outscored their opponents 61-29 in the first quarter of games. That's outstanding. If they do that tonight, they could beat the Dolphins handily, because Miami just doesn't play from behind very well.
If the Eagles get a lead, they force Jay Fiedler to make plays and I don't care what anyone says, he's just not close to 100 percent. He won't be mobile tonight. Under pressure, he'll make mistakes. Under pressure, Fiedler plays right into the Eagles' hands.
And if the Dolphins are playing from behind, they can't afford to go on many 13-play, 75-yard drives. If the Eagles can get a lead early, they dominate.
4. Win the turnover battle
I know that it goes without saying, but the team that turns the ball over the least wins this game. You saw last week against Dallas how much difference a turnover makes. Same deal tonight.
Williams can put the ball on the ground. Fiedler certainly can. Make it happen.
5. Get McNabb out of the pocket
Miami's defense is all about speed, and the Dolphins are also very structured and very disciplined. If McNabb runs early, it blows the Dolphins' scheme out of the water.
So I wouldn't be surprised to see the Eagles design a run or two early for McNabb. Get the Dolphins back on their heels. Force their defensive backs to commit to McNabb's scrambling. Then beat them for big plays down the field.
The bottom line here is that I think the Eagles are a better team. They have more dimensions to the offense and the defense is in the same ballpark as Miami. The Eagles special teams are playing very well.
There are some factors to consider: Nate Wayne will test out his ankle before the game but is questionable to play. The crowd is decidely split and the Eagles rowdies need to get into the action early and often. Both teams need the game.
I just like the Eagles here. Miami has Ricky Williams, a terrific receiver in Chris Chambers and a fine tight end in Randy McMichael plus a great defense.
The Eagles have the superior T-E-A-M. In the end, that wins.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Dolphins 14
