Zach Berman Previews Eagles vs Titans
Every Friday, Zach Berman from The Athletic joins The Anthony Gargano Show to preview that weekend’s Eagles game. What did Zach Berman have to say about the matchup vs the Titans? Will Jordan Davis be able to go? And what is going through AJ Brown’s head as he prepares to play his former team? Here is some of what Zach Berman had to say…
On if We Will See Jordan Davis on Sunday…
“I’m leaning towards yes. He’s been at practice. I talked to him yesterday, and he is feeling good. Sirianni said yesterday that he is looking good. So my guess is he will be out there… Look at these next three opponents, they all want to run the ball. That is where Jordan Davis helps you the most. He can be in a rotation now with Linval Joseph at that NT spot. They are going to have to be in more odd-man fronts in these next 3-4 games. In order for you to be prepared for that, you don’t want Davis taking too many snaps. You don’t want Joseph taking too many snaps. The versatility and depth they will now have at that NT spot is something they frankly didn’t have earlier in the season.”
On AJ Brown vs His Former Team
“It dumbfounded people that Tennesee would give him up. The Titans did have some big contracts on their books… That said, it was nothing that would have been cost prohibitive. And you knew AJ Brown’s contract was coming up… It surprised me when the Titans traded him. It was such a boon for the Eagles. You are going to see the difference between the Eagle’s passing game and the Titans’ passing game. And AJ Brown is the major reason why…
He has downplayed it given what has happened these past few weeks… But obviously, there was a lot that went on in that situation. He had mixed emotions when the trade went down. He wanted to be a Titan for life. That is what Mike Vrabel wanted… If you look at this track record, he steps up on the big stage. He grew up in Starkville, Mississippi, and he decided to go to Ole Miss. That’s a big deal, that doesn’t happen very often. And his one game back in Starkville, he said that had the perfect game. He’s been chasing that ever since.
I think he is someone who will embrace this type of moment. Whatever the over-under is, take the over.”
On His Thoughts on Sunday’s Matchup…
“It is a good litmus test. If you look at the two things the Eagles don’t do well, you would say run defense and special teams. And those are two things the Titans do really well. It’s kind of strength on weakness there. We’ve talked all year about how the Eagles can play different styles. And this is a game where if you look at the Titans’ pass defense vs their run defense, I don’t think it will look like last week. I think this is a game where they throw the ball. Get AJ and Devonta involved early. And that is how they pressure the Titans.
On defense, I expect more odd-man fronts. They are going to sell out against the run. The Eagles have a big question mark in the secondary with CJ Gardner Johnson out. But if you are Jonathan Gannon, you probably want to see the Titans try to beat you down the field. As opposed to running Derrick Henry over and over again. Cincinnati did a good job bottling up Henry last week. But that is going to be a good test for the Eagles.”
Listen to the full conversation with Zach Berman below…
