The Packers (6-3) take on the Eagles (7-2) at Lambeau in the afternoon game at Lambeau Field. 
This one means a LOT for the seeding of the playoffs for two teams that expect to go. For the Packers, it is a chance, with a Lions possible loss, to come even in the NFC North with the head to head at Lambeau at the end of the season to be (once again) winner take all.
The Eagles come into the game with their second string quarterback Mark Sanchez at the helm after a Nick Foles suffered a collar bone injury to his throwing arm. But to me, the key to this game is not stopping Mark Sanchez…
Darren Sproles returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown and had an 8 yard touchdown run in the Monday game against the Panthers. If the Packers stop Sproles…they could dominate in this one. The Eagles scored in every phase of the game: offense, defense, and special teams. That is even more unlikely than the Packers run of six touchdowns in a little over a half against the Bears. But the Packers made their scores by doing what they do. The Eagles cannot expect to get 9 sacks and score in every facet of the game against the Packers
If the Packers can stuff Sproles…and Clay Matthews at ILB (and over here, and over there) says that they can…the Eagles will have to rely on the arm of Mark Sanchez. If that happens…then it is time to release the hounds!
While both teams are coming off emotional, big-time wins, the Packers need this game more. I think the Packers are primed to make a statement this coming Sunday afternoon. We know that Aaron Rodgers comes to play week in and week out and both Matthews and Peppers are healthy. If Josh Sitton and TJ Lang play anything like they did against the Bears (hopefully, they only get healthier), this is a Green Bay Packer team that could make a statement. The Packers road is anything but easy, and they have to pick up a game, so that they can take the North at Lambeau against the Lions. But “these are the times that try men’s souls…” and the veterans on this Packers team need to continue to step up, while the young players need to continue to perform so that Green Bay can get it done.
GO PACK!!!
Sproles is dangerous on kick/punts but it will be McCoy that they will need to contain out of the backfield. While Sanchez is a backup as you say I am sure we all know he is a QB that is starter caliber. So the secondary needs to play well also. But all in all the Packers defense matches up better to their offense than their defense does to the Packs! So as long as the special teams plays well stopping Sproles there the Pack should win this one in a nail biter, 35-31
I don’t agree that Sanchez is a starting QB for any team. His career completion percentage is 55%, he’s thrown 72 TDs and 71 INts (4 TDs 2 INTs this year), and has 20 fumbles. Sanchez is a turnover machine. Last game was arguably his best ever as a starter and he’ll struggle to duplicate that in GB.
I think Brady has called this one fairly accurately. Philly has a tough D, but if Rodgers has time he can shred their secondary. I see the keys as stopping their run game, special teams, and getting pressure on Sanchez, and protecting Rodgers. If forced to throw in a higher scoring game, Sanchez will make mistakes.
This would have been a tough ask against Foles, but we should dominate against Sanchez. I expect the score to be more around the 38-13 mark. If it’s a close game, it’s because we either tried to force a non-existent run game, Rodgers wasn’t sharp, or our D laid another egg like they did in NO. Go Pack go!
And after this game Sanchez has 74 TDs, 73 INTs, and 22 fumbles. 😉