Minnesota at Philadelphia

Minnesota impressed last weekend against the Pack. Going into Lambeau and winning in that fashion is a big feat. Can they do it again this weekend against a Philly squad that's entering the postseason with question marks? No way, Jose. Let's look at how these matchups differ. Last week Culpepper got to pick on a pass defense as bad as his own team's. This week will be something different. Culpepper will be facing a much better defense. When he faces very good defenses, he struggles (see week 17 against Washington). The Eagles, allowing just 16.3 points per game this year, are gonna bring the heat and force him out of his comfort zone. They will sack him and bother him all day long. Minnesota doesn't have the running game to stay in this one. They also don't have the defense to handle the Eagles. Sure, they are without TO but they do have McNabb and Brian Westbrook. Culpepper got to pick on really bad defenses for most of this year including Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Tennessee, Indy, Green Bay, Detroit and Seattle. No wonder he put up the numbers he did (too bad his team couldn't win more than 8 games). Against the only two good defenses he played against (Philadelphia and Washington), his team scored an average of 17 points and lost both SU and ATS. Philly's motivated to advance and is experienced in this kind of game. Philly in a two-star pick in a blow out against a team that shouldn't be playing this weeknd.