With Thanksgiving and Black Friday, the last few days have been a turkey-induced haze but I'm really looking forward to the Patriots-Eagles game on Sunday.
At 4-6, Philadelphia basically has to win the rest of its games and that begins at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field against the Patriots (7-3). The so called Dream Team-copyright Vince Young-has struggled in the NFC East and even more so when it comes to protecting fourth quarter leads.
With a bunch of college friends from Philly and South Jersey, I know my share of Eagles fans and I have to say as an outsider, they are one of the more interesting teams in the NFL to watch. The city is obsessed with the team and that makes their games exciting. The fans are passionate and extremely knowledgeable.
For the Pats, linebackers Brandon Spikes (knee) and Dane Fletcher (thumb) have already been ruled out. Wide receivers Deion Branch (hip), Taylor Price (hamstring), Matthew Slater (shoulder) and Chad Ochocinco (hamstring) are all questionable. Safeties Patrick Chung (foot) and James Ihedigbo (shoulder) are questionable. Center Dan Connolly (groin), tackles Matt Light (ankle) and Sebastian Vollmer (back) are questionable. Cornerback Devin McCourty (shoulder) is the 11th Patriot that is questionable.
Speaking of VY, he's expected to start his second straight game after Michael Vick (broken ribs) didn't practice this week. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (hamstring, shoulder) is doubtful while cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha (knee) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle) along Vick are all questionable. Offensive lineman King Dunlap (concussion) is out.
With running back LeSean McCoy, arguably the NFL's most complete back, and wide receiver DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia possesses two of the more explosive players in the league. The Patriots defense will be challenged, regardless if Young starts and Maclin doesn't play.
UPDATE 11/26: New England has ruled Chung, McCourty, Connolly and Ochocinco out for tomorrow. James Ihedigbo and Sterling Moore figure to start at safety for the third straight week, Antwaun Molden will make his second consecutive start, Ryan Wendell will be the center while Price, Julian Edelman and Slater figure to see more time at wide receiver with Ochocinco out.
I also saw a report on NESN tonight that Vick has been ruled out and I saw on Twitter that Maclin is out too, no surprises there.
UPDATE 11/27: Wow, reports are filtering out now that Asomugha will play. I'm shocked, it sounded like he got seriously hurt in practice on Thursday. Rodgers-Cromartie is inactive for the Birds while Ryan Mallett is the final Patriot that will be inactive.
Follow @RichSlate
Tweet
No comments:
Post a Comment