NFL Wildcard Preview: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings

The No. 1 rush defense and No. 2 pass defense are the biggest players in a Wild Card showdown.

Eagles vs. Vikings Overview:
With their own destiny on the line, the Philadelphia Eagles pounded their archrival Dallas Cowboys in a historic 44-6 victory. The win was a vindication for QB Donovan McNabb and Coach Andy Reid, both of whom were on the hot seat. The Minnesota Vikings secured their NFL playoffs tickets thanks to the NFC North Championship, but they got some help from the Houston Texans. Great defense and skilled running backs have taken both of these teams to the postseason. Fans with Philadelphia Eagles playoff tickets want another blowout victory.

Philadelphia Eagles Offense:
Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb has become a specialist at making plays without a good wide out for his entire career and has weathered his fair share of criticism from fans with Philadelphia Eagles playoff tickets over the years. Rookie WR DeSean Jackson appears to be the weapon on the outside that Donovan McNabb has begged for, and the little wide out can burn defenders. RB Brian Westbrook is the key player in the Philadelphia Eagles offense and might be the best pure football player on the face of the earth when healthy.

Philadelphia Eagles Defense:
The No. 3 overall defense in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles punched their NFL playoffs tickets thanks to the famous blitzing schemes of coordinator Jim Johnson. Opposing offenses rarely get a rest from the constant attack of blitzes from every part of the field. DTs Broderick Bunkley and Mike Patterson are the big pieces that allow the rest of the defense to fly around. DE Trent Cole is an unmatched speed rusher and is the official bane of offensive tackles around the NFL. CBs Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown could be the top tandem in football and open up the defense.

Minnesota Vikings Offense:
While Brian Westbrook is a finesse rusher, Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson is a sledgehammer. With blazing speed, the true strength of Adrian Peterson is his willingness to take on defenders and truck DBs. The left side of the Minnesota Vikings offensive line is their strength, and no corps of blockers does better in the trenches. QB Tarvaris Jackson draws comparisons to Donovan McNabb with his running ability and careful management of the game. WR Bernard Berrian is a favorite of fans with Minnesota Vikings playoff tickets as his deep speed stretches defenses.

Minnesota Vikings Defense:
Like their offense, the Minnesota Vikings defense rarely resorts to trickery. Instead they overpower opponents and make themselves at home at or behind the line of scrimmage. The “Williams Wall” of DTs Pat Williams and Kevin Williams (no relation) is 630 pounds of angry defensive linemen in the middle of the field. DE Jared Allen has never pretended to be a nice guy, and his aggression against the QB has resulted in 14.5 sacks and many fumbles. OLB Chad Greenway, CB Antoine Winfield, and FS Madieu Williams are only a few that benefit from the talent up front.

Philadelphia Eagles Keys to Victory:
As good as RB Brian Westbrook is, running him up the middle against the Williams Wall is a futile effort. The toss and screen play to his strengths, however, and Brian Westbrook in open space is always a good thing. The screen will also help protect Donovan McNabb from Jared Allen coming off the edge as he will be forced to change directions often. Getting a hat on OLB Chad Greenway is another priority as he has the speed to chase plays down from behind. Fans with Philadelphia Eagles playoff tickets will see their team move on from the Wild Card round if Donovan McNabb can get in a rhythm with DeSean Jackson early.

Bernard Berrian is the only real outside receiving threat in the Minnesota Vikings arsenal, and he should be doubled often. TE Visanthe Shiancoe is the favorite target of Tarvaris Jackson and he is a big key to opening up the middle of the field so he must be taken away. The Philadelphia Eagles will stack the box and bring the blitz on every play that isn’t third and long. Without Adrian Peterson the Minnesota Vikings will have to turn to the inexperienced Tarvaris Jackson. The young QB may not throw interceptions often, but he doesn’t make many completions under pressure either.   

Minnesota Vikings Keys to Victory:
The Philadelphia Eagles know the run is coming, but the Minnesota Vikings have to get Adrian Peterson a ton of yards anyways. The Minnesota Vikings will control the line of scrimmage with their talented left side, but it will be up to FB Naufahu Tahi to lower the boom on the aggressive DBs of the Philadelphia Eagles. TE Visanthe Shiancoe needs to become a force early so that safeties cannot sit in the box all day. QB Tarvaris Jackson has to expect a wave of blitzers on all downs, but he cannot panic. His ability to escape the pocket for first downs will be invaluable, and fans with Minnesota Vikings playoff tickets know this.

The Minnesota Vikings playoff tickets were won with their defense, and this trend has to continue if their road to the Super Bowl is to go on. Having a great pair of safeties in Madieu Williams and Darren Sharper gives the Minnesota Vikings more flexibility in their coverages and should allow for good containment on Brian Westbrook. The Williams Wall will take care of business in the middle, but Jared Allen and the other DEs have to hold down the edges to spill Brian Westbrook back inside. WR DeSean Jackson is a speedster, but a stiff jam at the line can neutralize the 5-10 rookie.

Eagles vs. Vikings Game Outlook:
The Philadelphia Eagles have been fighting for respect the past few years after the attention to the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants in the NFC East. The Minnesota Vikings were not seen as NFC North Championship material but quickly proved their doubters wrong thanks to classic ball control. Fans with NFL playoffs tickets were expecting to see the Dallas Cowboys in this spot, but after the blowout victory, they are more than happy to see the underdog Philadelphia Eagles.

One match up stands above all the others, and that is Donovan McNabb vs. Tarvaris Jackson. Donovan McNabb may not be a spring chicken, but he has the leadership, experience, and intangibles to put on a great game. If the pressure (not to mention Jim Johnson’s blitzes) falls squarely on Tarvaris Jackson, fans with Minnesota Vikings playoff tickets will see an early exit for their team. With a No. 3 defense and one of the best QBs in recent history under center, fans with NFL playoffs tickets can expect a Philadelphia Eagles victory.