NFL Free Pick: Take the Eagles to pull off the upset vs. Packers in Week 1
By Anthony Rome
In what should be an outstanding matchup in Week 1, the Philadelphia Eagles will host the Green Bay Packers Sunday afternoon. Let’s take a look at the matchup and hand out a free pick.
Oddsmakers from online sports book BroburySports.com have made the Packers 3-point favorites over the Eagles, while the over/under has been set at 47.5 points.
Packers Win If:
They win in the trenches. The Eagles have solid offensive and defensive lines and if the Packers can’t a) protect Aaron Rodgers and b) get to Kevin Kolb to disrupt Andy Reid’s offense, then it’s going to make for a long night in Philadelphia for Green Bay. The Packers obviously have the talent on both sides to come out of this game with a victory, but not if Rodgers is constantly under pressure. He likes to hold onto the ball to the last possible secondary anyway, so if he’s under duress too, turnovers may happen. Defensively for the Pack, the Eagles’ offense runs on timing and rhythm. If the front seven can generate a rush and Kolb feels uncomfortable, then the Packers will have the upper hand.
Eagles Win If:
They run the football effectively. The Packers had the No. 1 defense in the league last year, but it wasn’t too long ago that this team could be gashed up the middle. “Shady” McCoy has a job to do and that’s to keep this offense balanced and make sure Kolb doesn’t have to win this game solely in the passing game. Obviously the young QB has more than enough weapons to get the job done thanks to DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek and Jeremy Maclin, but McCoy is still the key. Defensively, the Eagles can’t allow Donald Driver, Jermichael Finely and Greg Jennings to get loose in their secondary. Pressuring Rodgers is also a must, especially with how many issues Green Bay had with its offensive line last year.
Prediction:
Everyone seems to be high on the Packers this year – and for good reason. They appear to be the most complete team in football (aside from the Colts) heading into the season and they’re legit Super Bowl contenders. But this seems like a trap for bettors. The Eagles are a solid, deep football team and it’s hard for opponents to come into Philadelphia and earn a win. Kolb has looked good this offseason and if he can limit the mistakes, I think the Eagles win this outright. I also see a much lower scoring game than what the consensus thinks.
2010 NFL Week 1 Free Pick: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES +3 & UNDER 47.5