Will Philly Choke Again This Year

[JoeRedskin]

I think Philly is susceptable to a choke at the Linc to a team that, offensively, has a strong running game and, defensively, plays disciplined team D with a line that can force McNabb to stay in and throw from the pocket (if they can keep him in the pocket AND pressure him all the better). Other than consistently running the ball all game, this is essentially what the Skins did Sunday night.

Someone earlier said that Philly is winning the tight games - I am not sure this is true b/c I don't think Philly has been in any "tight" games. In the NFC, they won games by an average of 10 points. Have they, in any game other than the Skins', won only through a final scoring drive or when required to make a last stop.

For example -In the Skins game, but for an ill-advised pass the Skins at least goto overtime on their last real drive. Even after this stop, Philly's O couldn't make the one first down required to run down the clock and end the game. After an excellent punt, their D squelched the Skins last gasp. How many games have they had this kind of an ending? Philly's almost blew it at the end against what was 4-8 team that has only scored over 20 points once all season.

Don't get me wrong - Philly is a very very good team. You don't rack up the numbers they do without doing something right. BUT - I don't think they have been particularly challenged either.

If team goes to the Linc that can slow them down, score early, AND keep it close for 3 quarters, Philly may get nervous and start thinking "here we go again". I just don't know if their are any NFC teams that can do that to them.

The only two NFC teams I think possible of stopping Philly may be Carolina and Atlanta. I have not seen Carolina play this year since they have begun winning (the only team that, I think, is built in a manner that specifically matches up against Philly's O). As for Atlanta, I really don't know too much about them and have not seen them play. It appears that they may have team similar to Carolina - Strong running game, solid defense. I do know, however, that Atlanta has been blown out a couple of times by teams with a good passing game and that Philly would likely copy TBay's defense to stop Vick.

Regardless, my hope is that Philly loses at the Linc b/c of a last minute pass that McNabb inaccurately throws in Owens direction who, rather than attempt the spectacular grab, short arms it b/c of the oncoming safety. Ahhhh - I can dream.