NFL Network’s James Palmer Previews Eagle vs 49ers
We are just a few days away from the NFC Championship game. On Sunday the Eagles host the 49ers. And James Palmer from the NFL Network joined The Best Show Ever earlier today to preview the game. What are the matchups the Eagles can exploit? How does he think the game will go? Will this Philly crowd intimidate Brock Purdy? James Palmer discussed that and more. Here is what he had to say.
On if the Philly crowd will intimidate Brock Purdy
“I saw him come in on Thursday night in Seattle. If you want to talk about hostile environments, Seattle is right up there. Him going in there on a Thursday night, and it not phasing him… I know Philly is going to be rowdy. I don’t think that part is going to phase him all that much. But I do think the communication between him and Kyle Shanahan is really important. Kyle is one of the best coaches in terms of the way he communicates in-game through the headset with his QB. He is really good at setting his QB up for success. So if Brock Purdy can’t hear him, that would play a little bit of a part.”
On how Brock Purdy handles the pass rush
“I saw a guy who was almost a little overconfident with some of the stuff he was trying to do in the backfield. Spin away from this guy and try to make a play. I look at this Eagles pass rush. If you think you can spin away from Haason Reddick, 9 times out of 10 somebody like Javon Hargrave is coming from the other side or up the middle and might decapitate him. I think he shouldn’t think about messing around behind the line of scrimmage against this Eagles team.”
On the Eagles’ Defensive Front
“15 sacks better than anybody else in football… That defensive line is so talented and so deep, and that is a big part of why they have success. What did Brandon Graham play last week, 12 snaps? He is 34 and is able to be effective because these guys get to be fresh. They get to rotate in. You talk to offensive linemen around the league. They will tell you the worst thing is when you break the huddle, turn around and there is a new group of guys there… These guys just keep coming at you up front for Philly…
Because they are so deep, because they are so talented, and because of the veterans that are a part of it too. Veterans know how to make big plays in big games. And there are guys on this Eagles team that have played in huge games. That front is a massive advantage. A lot of teams around the league look at what Philly has built up front, and believe that is how you make long postseason runs.”
You can listen to the full conversation with James Palmer below…
