Who do we match up against better - MN, ATL, AZ?

[catz]

I know it is speculation and kinda getting the cart before the horse - but we will be playing one of these next week. Which team do you think we match up the best against?

Or stated a different way - which team would be easier for us to beat down in our house!!!! I think MN and add in a touch of revenge.

[bredy087]

weve proven we can beat AZ and ATL. I think if we played Minn. at home it would be a different game, plus your right revenge would be great. AZ could say the same...but I think ATL will beat them.

[JungleCat]

I think we could beat all three but I think we match up the best with Atlanta.

[Davidson Deac II]

On paper, we don't match up well with Minnesota. They run the ball well, and defend the run well. Running the ball is our strength, and we don't defend the run very well, although we did do a good job against Peterson the last time we played them.

That being said, I think we will be ok if we play Minnesota again. In fact, thats the game I prefer. They will not beat us at home I think.

[bredy087]

Wasnt AP a little banged up last time we played them? If he was then Id say next time around he would put up a better fight.

[Davidson Deac II]

He was coming off a hamstring injury.

He had 77 yards on 17 carries against us, so we didn't shut him down, but he didn't kill us either.

If we do play them, we have to a better job protecting Jake. We have given up 20 sacks this year, and 5 of them were against Minnesota.

[bredy087]

The sack from the CB on his blindside that cause the fumble was brutal....cant let that happen again.

[catz]

On paper, we don't match up well with Minnesota. They run the ball well, and defend the run well. Running the ball is our strength, and we don't defend the run very well, although we did do a good job against Peterson the last time we played them.

That being said, I think we will be ok if we play Minnesota again. In fact, thats the game I prefer. They will not beat us at home I think.

how many games did we keep opponent's back UNDER 100 yards?? I think we defend the run better than we defend the pass.

[Davidson Deac II]

how many games did we keep opponent's back UNDER 100 yards?? I think we defend the run better than we defend the pass.

The stats say otherwise I think. We kept the opponents backs under 100 yards because we were usually ahead, especially at home.

Opponents ended up having to pass against us more than they ran. For the year, we had 432 run plays against us versus 557 pass attempts. Yet we were 20th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game, 20th in total yards per game, and 23rd in ypc (4.4 yards per carry allowed).

In pass defense, we had the 6th highest number of passes attempted against us, but we were 16th in yards allowed per game and 13th in percentage of passes completed. We also were among the top 10 defensively in yards per catch.

Overall, our pass defense was the strength of the defense, although it still wasn't that great.

[Wolfcop]

I am most concerned with facing AZ again. We seem to really struggle against passing teams (esp AZ and on the road with NO). We have not really struggled against the run at home. I think we would do just fine against ATL or MINN. I would not mind a rematch with ATL. I would rather play them than PHI, which I know NY would get if they win.

[Fireball77]

I think we match up the best with Atlanta.

I agree....and WORST with Philly... so go Minny!

Nice info DDII. If this D doesn't start staying in their gaps and tackling it will be one and out no matter who the opponent. The best defense in the playoffs usually wins championships. Right now, I don't trust Carolina's D, Kemo or no Kemo. They have been getting run on with or without him.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I agree....and WORST with Philly... so go Minny!

Nice info DDII. If this D doesn't start staying in their gaps and tackling it will be one and out no matter who the opponent. The best defense in the playoffs usually wins championships. Right now, I don't trust Carolina's D, Kemo or no Kemo. They have been getting run on with or without him.

I just don't see Minnesota beating Philly. I think the Eagles will pressure Jackson into several mistakes, even though I'm sure they'll try to keep the ball on the ground for most of the game.

Between Arizona and Atlanta, I think we match up better with Atlanta. That being said, I think I'd rather play a team that hasn't been playing well as of late. They also have to travel across the country.

When all is said and done, I think Philly and Atlanta win, and we'll be seing the latter in our first playoff game.

[beastson]

weve proven we can beat AZ and ATL. I think if we played Minn. at home it would be a different game, plus your right revenge would be great. AZ could say the same...but I think ATL will beat them.

Thats why I hope they win

[2plankingpanther]

Yes the D really needs to step it up!!