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By Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The matchup is officially set, the Eagles will host quarterback Case Keenum, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game with a trip to Super Bowl LII on the line.
After dispatching the Atlanta Falcons 15-10 on Saturday night thanks in part to a dominant defensive performance and a gritty showing from quarterback Nick Foles, the Vikings top-rated defense presents many issues that Doug Pederson and the Eagles' coaching staff are going to have to consider this week heading into Sunday's game.
Here's a look at what the Eagles will need to be concerned about heading into the franchise's first NFC Championship Game since 2009:
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Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
1) Can Nick Foles do it again?
With the exception of a late second quarter field goal drive, and a 74-yard march down the field in the third quarter, Foles never quite seemed in control of the offense or the game on Saturday night.
Yes, Foles played a turnover free game against the Falcons and finished with a passer rating of 100.5 while completing 23 of 30 passes for 246 yards, but will that be enough to win an NFC Championship Game?
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson crafted a scheme that was executed to perfection centered around running the football and routes that Foles was comfortable with against the Falcons. If Saturday is any indication, both Pederson's preparation and the offensive players' execution is going to be paramount if the Eagles are going to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2005.
Tim Jernigan
Michael Perez
2) Can defense sustain anger-fueled dominance from win over Falcons?
The Eagles defense channeled outside criticism and the fact that they were deemed the underdogs against a No. 6 seed into holding Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and the Falcons to just 10 points, all coming off turnovers.
It is becoming abundantly clear that this is a very, very good defense, which was particularly in the second half when defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz turned up the heat with multiple exotic blitz packages. Schwartz's added pressure held Atlanta only had 118 yards of total offense in the second half and the Eagles pitched a shut out after halftime.
Is that level of production sustainable? It's going to have to be.
If the Eagles' dominance was driven by emotion, can they summon it again?
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from Sports - Google News http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2018/01/2018_nfc_championship_game_what_the_eagles_will_be.html
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