The Philadelphia Eagles won their third consecutive game on Saturday, defeating then division leader Dallas by the final score of 20-7. This upped their record to 7-8 and with a win next week against the Redskins, would close the season at an even .500 record of 8-8, winning their final four games.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the New York Jets fell to the Giants, which eliminated Philly from playoff contention.
Back to this game, for the second consecutive week, Michael Vick was extremely sharp, throwing for 293 yards (9.2 per attempt) and two scores for a rating of 107.9. He held a rating of 107.0 the week before against the Jets. Philly didn't get much of a running game going, but did finish over 100 yards. Vick completed passes to 8 different receivers, with his two standout receivers, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin catching a total of 10 passes for 162 yards and a score.
But, while the offense was fairly efficient, the defense was the main factor for the Eagles' victory, limited the Cowboys to just 238 yards of total offense - 157 through the air (3.9 p/att) and 81 on the ground (3.5 p/c). Dallas was just 6 for 17 on 3rd down (35.3%) and outside of a last-minute-prevent-caused touchdown pass from Stephen McGee to Miles Austin, the Eagles would have delivered a shutout.
Regardless of the outcome in next Sunday's game against the Redskins, this will be seen as a disappointing season for the Eagles. With their key off-season acquisitions, some people predicted the Eagles would reach the Super Bowl, if not win it. There will be some positives going into the off-season, however, especially if Philly can close the season with 4 straight wins. Statistically speaking, the Eagles should have clinched a playoff spot already. They're 10th in pass offense (253.0 ypg), 5th in rush offense (146.7 ypg), 8th in pass defense (210.0 ypg) and 14th in rush defense (111.4 ypg). What killed them were injuries, penalties and turnovers. Michael Vick was banged up off and on throughout the season. Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson fought some injuries as well. The secondary was banged up at times. Also, in most every loss, it appeared as if the Eagles would commit a costly turnover or penalty at key times to send them to the defeat. LeSean McCoy had a phenomenal year. It appeared as if Vick and tight end Brent Celek built some nice chemistry this season which they lacked last year. The offensive line improved at protecting Vick throughout the season's duration. The defense improved by leaps and bounds from early in the year . In their four losses early in the season which put them in a very difficult situation of being 1-4, the Eagles allowed 35 points to Atlanta, 29 to the Giants, 24 to San Francisco and 31 to Buffalo. While Atlanta and New York can put up some points, San Francisco and Buffalo aren't much known for their offensive prowess and the Eagles allowed a combined 119 points to these four teams, an average of 29.8 per game. In their four other losses, Philly allowed the following: 30 points to Chicago, 21 to Arizona, 38 to New England and 31 to Seattle. Of course, the Patriots can score points with the best of them, but Chicago, Arizona and Seattle aren't top-of-the-line offenses. So, in their 8 losses and against fairly average offenses overall, the Eagles allowed a combined 239 points or an average of 29.9 per game. The offense wasn't spectacular in these games, but scored enough to win on many occasions. The Eagles scored a combined 169 points for an average of 21.1. Again, that's by no means great, but the 31 they scored against Atlanta 23 against San Francisco, 24 versus Buffalo and 24 against Chicago should have been enough to have defeated these teams. The polar opposite was true in the Eagles' wins, where they allowed a combined 79 points or an average of 11.3. The most they allowed in these games was 19 to the New York Jets and that game was well in-hand very early, so the defense played things a little looser in the 2nd half which was a bit reason why the Jets scored as much as they did. That's a HUGE difference in their wins and losses. To allow close to 30 points in 8 losses and only 11 in 7 wins, is pretty incredible. The offense was more efficient in these games as well, averaging 27.6 per game. The past three weeks have showcased the Eagles outscoring their three opponents by the score of 91-36 (average of 30.3 - 12.0). While, in the grand scheme of things, this will be seen as a disappointing season for the Eagles, the team, coaches and fans should be excited about how the team has finally come together at season's end and of their chances next year.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the New York Jets fell to the Giants, which eliminated Philly from playoff contention.
Back to this game, for the second consecutive week, Michael Vick was extremely sharp, throwing for 293 yards (9.2 per attempt) and two scores for a rating of 107.9. He held a rating of 107.0 the week before against the Jets. Philly didn't get much of a running game going, but did finish over 100 yards. Vick completed passes to 8 different receivers, with his two standout receivers, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin catching a total of 10 passes for 162 yards and a score.
But, while the offense was fairly efficient, the defense was the main factor for the Eagles' victory, limited the Cowboys to just 238 yards of total offense - 157 through the air (3.9 p/att) and 81 on the ground (3.5 p/c). Dallas was just 6 for 17 on 3rd down (35.3%) and outside of a last-minute-prevent-caused touchdown pass from Stephen McGee to Miles Austin, the Eagles would have delivered a shutout.
Regardless of the outcome in next Sunday's game against the Redskins, this will be seen as a disappointing season for the Eagles. With their key off-season acquisitions, some people predicted the Eagles would reach the Super Bowl, if not win it. There will be some positives going into the off-season, however, especially if Philly can close the season with 4 straight wins. Statistically speaking, the Eagles should have clinched a playoff spot already. They're 10th in pass offense (253.0 ypg), 5th in rush offense (146.7 ypg), 8th in pass defense (210.0 ypg) and 14th in rush defense (111.4 ypg). What killed them were injuries, penalties and turnovers. Michael Vick was banged up off and on throughout the season. Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson fought some injuries as well. The secondary was banged up at times. Also, in most every loss, it appeared as if the Eagles would commit a costly turnover or penalty at key times to send them to the defeat. LeSean McCoy had a phenomenal year. It appeared as if Vick and tight end Brent Celek built some nice chemistry this season which they lacked last year. The offensive line improved at protecting Vick throughout the season's duration. The defense improved by leaps and bounds from early in the year . In their four losses early in the season which put them in a very difficult situation of being 1-4, the Eagles allowed 35 points to Atlanta, 29 to the Giants, 24 to San Francisco and 31 to Buffalo. While Atlanta and New York can put up some points, San Francisco and Buffalo aren't much known for their offensive prowess and the Eagles allowed a combined 119 points to these four teams, an average of 29.8 per game. In their four other losses, Philly allowed the following: 30 points to Chicago, 21 to Arizona, 38 to New England and 31 to Seattle. Of course, the Patriots can score points with the best of them, but Chicago, Arizona and Seattle aren't top-of-the-line offenses. So, in their 8 losses and against fairly average offenses overall, the Eagles allowed a combined 239 points or an average of 29.9 per game. The offense wasn't spectacular in these games, but scored enough to win on many occasions. The Eagles scored a combined 169 points for an average of 21.1. Again, that's by no means great, but the 31 they scored against Atlanta 23 against San Francisco, 24 versus Buffalo and 24 against Chicago should have been enough to have defeated these teams. The polar opposite was true in the Eagles' wins, where they allowed a combined 79 points or an average of 11.3. The most they allowed in these games was 19 to the New York Jets and that game was well in-hand very early, so the defense played things a little looser in the 2nd half which was a bit reason why the Jets scored as much as they did. That's a HUGE difference in their wins and losses. To allow close to 30 points in 8 losses and only 11 in 7 wins, is pretty incredible. The offense was more efficient in these games as well, averaging 27.6 per game. The past three weeks have showcased the Eagles outscoring their three opponents by the score of 91-36 (average of 30.3 - 12.0). While, in the grand scheme of things, this will be seen as a disappointing season for the Eagles, the team, coaches and fans should be excited about how the team has finally come together at season's end and of their chances next year.
Comments
Post a Comment