The Eagles are preparing to host the Green Bay Packers on Monday night in a game that could play a huge role in the Eagles push for a playoff spot. Having lost four in a row, Mike McCarthy’s Packers are in desperation mode, making them as dangerous as ever. But if these five players can have a big game on Monday, then the Eagles have every chance of staying undefeated at home.
Nelson Agholor
It’s been a tough week for the Eagles wide receiver, who is still wondering, like the rest of us, if he’s going to play on Monday Night. Agholor has struggled with drops and a mix of on the field issues, but 10 games into the regular season, it’s clear that the issues stem from the mind.
Preseason standout Paul Turner has been activated this weekend, but even if he plays, there’s no guarantee he will see a major role in the place of Agholor. It will be interesting to see if Doug Pederson gives the second year receiver one last shot to overcome his inner problems against a weakened Packers Defense and if he does, how Agholor will respond. But if he doesn’t, it could spell yet more troubles for the Eagles wideout.
Jalen Mills
The seventh round pick has had a steady season so far, but against a Packers Offense that primarily relies on the arm strength of Aaron Rodgers to make things happen, Mills could be tested in an entirely new way.
With a promise of plenty of deep balls comes a new responsibility for Mills. Although he’s come up big previously against the likes of Julio Jones, Mills often loses the battle at the line of scrimmage, in turn giving his receiver a step..which is all Aaron Rodgers needs.
The Packers receiving corps isn’t exactly the most intimidating in the league, but if injuries persist to haunt the secondary, Mills will be counted on yet again and it will be interesting to see if he can step up when needed, knowing a playoff race could start or end here.
Wendell Smallwood :
With Ryan Mathews confirmed as inactive on Monday Night, it’s next man up for the Eagles backfield, with Darren Sproles battling a broken rib. That man is Wendell Smallwood.
The fifth-round pick rushed 13 times in both of his last two games and has already flashed his explosiveness on numerous occasions this season. It’s likely that Smallwood will see a heavy workload against a Packers Defense that has surrendered just 911 rushing yards this season.
If the Eagles can establish the ground game early on and provide Carson Wentz with a balanced Offense, then they have every chance of controlling the tempo just as they have in recent weeks..and a large aspect of that success will depend on Wendell Smallwood and if he can show the levels of elusiveness he’s flashed fluently this season.
Jordan Hicks
It’s been just over a week since the Packers acquired running back Christine Michael and he could see himself worked into the Green Bay Backfield rotation on Monday night.
An absence of consistency on the ground has hurt the Packers massively this year..and if there’s one man who can ensure that continues to happen, it’s Jordan Hicks.
After a slow start to the season, the second-year linebacker has racked up 45 tackles since the Bye week..with six coming against the Seattle Seahawks.
Hicks has been crucial in pushing through the holes created by the Eagles pass-rush and forcing the running backs outside, or even better, keeping them behind the line of scrimmage.
Simba will need a strong outing once again if they are to keep a desperate Packers team one-dimensional, and provide the Eagles with the best chance of success..allowing the pass-rush to run rampant.
Brandon Graham
It sounds simple, but the Eagles simply have to get to Aaron Rodgers. Like the Seahawks, the Packers have a wounded Offensive line..and the Eagles simply have to take advantage at home.
At CenturyLink field, the Eagles simply couldn’t contain Russell Wilson. The Seahawks QB put on an athleticism clinic, constantly escaping trouble and making things happen with his legs. Aaron Rodgers poses a very similar, albeit slightly more inconsistent threat. The Eagles have to collapse the pocket early and often..and with Brandon Graham having a Pro Bowl season, there may be no better man to do so.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
