Going into this game, Atlanta had 5 offensive starters out and the 27th ranked pass-defense, so it’s little surprise that the Eagles dominated. At 8-4, we now stand tied with the Cowboys atop the NFC East, and all 4 of our final games are going to be huge.
Let’s get right to it…
- I guess the biggest story of this game has to be Vick. He had by far his most impactful game of the year, with 65 total yards and 2 TD’s. I have no idea why Reid didn’t play him the entire 4th quarter – just one good game could make him a very trade-able asset, and he looked good on every snap he played.
- LEONARD WEAVER! I don’t write a ton about the Eagles on the blog (we’re working on it, I swear), but nearly every time I do, I complain about the under-use of Leonard Weaver, and I will continue to complain. I think he should touch the ball 10-15 times a game. Today was just further proof. 5 rushes at a 7.4 yard clip and 2 tremendous catches. 10-15 times a game, Andy.
- What the hell is up with Jason Peters? This has to be the 4th game he’s gotten injured, and the 4th time he’s acted like it was of the season-ending variety. At least Herremens is back so we don’t have to watch King Dunlap end McNabb’s career.
- Speaking of OT’s, I’ve decided that in the draft the Eagles should take an OT and then nothing but defensive players.
- Sean McDermott deserves a lot of credit; he put together a game plan that never let Chris Redman get any sort of rhythm. I love his intensity on the sideline and love how pissed he was that the Eagles gave up that TD at the end that lost the shutout.
- Maclin showed me some explosiveness for the first time all year on his punt return in the 1st quarter and long catch and run later on.
- David Akers, despite the miss today, has had an awesome revival this season. Akers has the 7th highest FG% in NFL history among kickers with 250+ makes.
- Trent Cole simply doesn’t get enough credit for how good he is. Since 2006, Cole has 39 sacks and 187 tackles. The only 2 players that can match both those numbers are DeMarcus Ware and Jared Allen.
- Quintin Demps should be released. After his game-changing, mind-numbingly stupid, roughing-the-passer penalty in the NFC Championship last year, he should never get that type of penalty again. To get 2 in one game just shows how undisciplined he is.
- Some nice half-time adjustments by Reid and the offense. They struggled, per usual, in the red zone in the first half, but their dominant opening touchdown drive pretty much put the game away.
- Would be great to get back DeSean Jackson, Akeem Jordan and Joselio Hanson all back for next week. Hanson is a definite, I would guess Jackson is probable, and I have no idea on Jordan.
Yes, Atlanta was handicapped on offense, but we were without our 2 major weapons too (Jackson and Westbrook) and several defensive players. This game is a perfect example as to why, for all his faults, Andy Reid is a great coach. Our back-ups are always prepared and more often than not, our offensive and defensive game plans are better than our opponents.
Birds have 4 games left and the NFC East playoff picture looks like this (with MIN, ARI and GB still to play this week)…
1. New Orleans (12-0)
2. Minnesota (10-1)
3. Dallas (8-4)
4. Arizona (7-4)
5. Philadelphia (8-4)
6. Green Bay (7-4)
7. Giants (7-5)
8. Atlanta (6-6)
Next week’s game is HUGE. The Giants will either pull even with us or fall 2 games back.
vick injured his hand thats why he didnt get the rest of the snaps in the 4th quarter.
thanks for the eagles posts. i would appreciate a NYG V. PHI preview like thurs or fri. plz thank you.
Next week we really have a chance to get up in the division. Dallas is playing San Diego, whose offense is really on the move right now. In an afterthought, Dallas plays New Orleans the next week. Like you said Pete, we can go up two games on the Giants which would put us in really good position for the playoffs.
Demps is really pissing me off. Both of those penalties are terrible, and he also came in late again close to the end of the game but didn’t make good enough contact to have a flag thrown. I wouldn’t cut him like you said, but I might designate him to special teams for a game. I don’t think we could afford to straight up cut him right now.
Great stat about Trent Cole, that just goes to show how solid of a player he really is.
I didn’t mean release Demps now, I meant after the season. But now that I re-read it, it doesn’t sound that way.
i still don’t know about that either, but we’ll see how the youngins come along
I have no idea why Reid didn’t play him the entire 4th quarter – just one good game could make him a very trade-able asset, and he looked good on every snap he played.>>
How would Vick be tradable? He’s got (to my understanding a 1 year deal with a club option for next year at 5.6 mil. Am I missing something?
I din’t check the over under on the game, but the Falcons I would guess pushed it over with that last TD. Ya gotta love meaningless scores that effect the payouts completely.
Every NFL contract is a “club option” pretty much.
Vick is under contract next year unless we release him.
Dallas also has to play in Washington which is not exactly a cake walk either.
I think this team has taken a big step. They may not be any better than they have been in past years, but they are MUCH LESS RELIANT ON WESTBROOK AND MCNABB.
I though McNabb was sort of off, and only hit a few guys in stride. That would have meant dropped balls and stalled drives in past seasons. But they have weapons who can catch and make things happen even without their QB leading the way. We learned early this year there are enough new playmakers to make up for Westie, but being able to have a good offensive day when McNabb is off is something new.
I’m not a huge Mcnabb basher or apologist. I think he has done great things in Philly. But any doubt that Kolb could have won this won just as easily? McNabb made the right moves and was elusive. But Kolb would have hit more guys in stride.
Looking at the standings, NY is the the only real threat to keep the Eagles from making the playoffs- even if they only win 1-2 games.
If the beat NY I could see them still making the playoffs even if they lose their last 3 games.
If the beat NY I could see them still making the playoffs even if they lose their last 3 games.>>
That point is amazingly valid. Upon first glance, I figured it was crazy, but a check of the standings shows it very true. The Eagles would have tiebreakers over the Giants and Falcons, and the Bears based on head to head, and a win next unday night would make it very, very hard for them to be caught even with 3 straight losses.
Conversely, it would seem nearly impossible to catch a first round bye.