Can the Eagles D stop Peyton Manning from inflicting too much damage?
The Philadelphia Eagles are in Denver to face the Broncos, and it is one of the most challenging games on their schedule. Denver’s #1 ranked offense faces Philly’s #2 offense. Both teams can be fast and explosive, but will Chip Kelly even want his team to work quickly, only to hand over the ball to Peyton Manning, who has already had a historic season by notching 12 touchdowns in just three games?
The challenges are many for both the Philadelphia offense and defense. For the D, can they contain Manning? How do they neutralize his many targets, including Wes Welker, Eric Decker and Julius Thomas?
Denver’s defense is the number in the league against the run—will that be enough to neutralize LeSean McCoy, perennially one of the Eagles’ most potent weapons and a back who is having a great start to the year? And will Philadelphia find a way to open up DeSean Jackson to maximize’s the offense’s attack?
The late afternoon matchup will likely be a high scoring affair, particularly as neither team’s defense is very strong against the passing game. Denver is ranked 30th, just behind the #29 Eagles.
Facing any Peyton Manning-led team is a challenge for any team in any year. We’ll see what tricks are in Kelly’s bag to maximize the potential of his offense while keeping up with Manning as, let’s face it, he can’t truly be contained. And then there is the altitude, which Kelly has been fast to downplay all week.
Is a young 1-2 Eagles team up to the challenge of handing the 3-0 Broncos a defeat ? With concerns remaining over Philadelphia’s defense , it’s a lot to ask for. But if the Birds can stop the turnovers and maximize every opportunity they have on offense, they may be able to keep this one close.
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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
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