Look for Eagles to stumble out of the block
Published: September 9th, 2009 | Tags: Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans
Here are some of the Week 1 matchups to watch:
Steelers at Titans
The Titans have one of the best combinations of offensive and defensive lines in the NFL. The Steelers will struggle to run the ball on the Titans defense. The Steelers defense will keep it close, but they will find the Titans’ new speed on offense too much to handle.
Bears at Packers
Aaron Rodgers’ 6 TD passes were the most of any QB in the preseason. Armed with the deepest WR corps in the NFL, the Packers will exploit the Bears’ weakness in the secondary. Meanwhile, the Bears’ inexperience at receiver will be exposed against the likes of Charles Woodson and Al Harris.
Lions at Saints
This will be an early runaway for Drew Brees and the Saints offense, which needs to get off to a fast start. The real question is how much Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams blitzes Lions rookie QB Matthew Stafford. The Answer: early and often.
Vikings at Browns
No matter who Eric Mangini runs out as his starting quarterback, the Vikings defense will feast on the Browns’ struggling offense. Minnesota’s passing game should have a spectacular debut against a weak Cleveland secondary, which lacks the coverage skills to defend against Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, Visanthe Shiancoe and Percy Harvin.
Eagles at Panthers
Don’t be surprised if the Eagles’ wings are clipped before take-off. Distractions could hinder the Eagles early on as they adjust to a new defensive coordinator in Sean McDermott. Look for both Panthers RBs, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, to control the ball and play keep-away from Donovan McNabb, who will be forced to play from behind on the scoreboard.