Panthers at Eagles

In last week's Green Bay Packer game Philadelphia Eagle's QB Donovan McNabb was sacked 8 times more than potatoes. Yet the Eagles won the game by 3.

Carolilna Panther's Coach John North saw this stat. With guys like DE Mike Rucker (12 sacks) it is likely he will turn loose his D speed merchants and be after McNabb. We should not be surprised to see the Panthers D laying on him heavier than a mortgage.

Bud thinks the QB sack is the most under appreciated football stat. One sack more than the opposition contributes 3+ points to the winning margin. In this NFL Championship game it will certainly be a key.

QB Sacks Philadelphia Eagles 2003 through Week 17

Opp QB Sacked Carolina Panthers 2003 through Week 17

In the QB sack graphic above the Eagle's performance last week shows it was their puniest effort. This season only the easy Arizona Cardinals were weaker setting the year's record at 9. Let's face it, 8 sacks is a lotta' ouch.

There are, of course, more important stats in the game. Yards per pass attempt, for example, our Killer Stat, will be a more likely winning stat for either team. Intercepts will also contribute points to the win.

Before the game is played it is tough to tab the most important winning stat. But Bud's opinion is, the sack and sack pressure will be a game breaker.

The electronic hardware tabs the Eagles at home by 6 1/2. But the Panthers will be very much in this game.

Bud Goode and Bill Sanders

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