Yesterday's white-out in Philadelphia appeared to be a perfect depiction of the crazy season to this point - both for the league, in general, as well as the Philadelphia Eagles, whom scored 28 points in the 4th quarter to defeat the Detroit Lions 34-20 yesterday to improve their record to 8-5 and temporarily take over first place in the NFC East.
With blizzard-like conditions throughout the game's duration yesterday, the game seemed to be much more fun for spectators (at home) than players on the field. Players were slipping and sliding around more than a drunken clown in an ice skating rink. There were so many fumbles and missed tackles, scorers reportedly lost track of them midway in the first quarter. The conditions were so bad, only one kick was attempted in the game, and that extra point attempt by Detroit's David Akers was blocked, as he slipped and fell on his backside directly following it.
It appeared as if Philly's offense couldn't get anything going until the 4th quarter. Nick Foles was having trouble gripping the football, as he completed just 11 of 22 pass attempts for 179 yards (8.1 per), 1 touchdown, and 1 interception (his first of the season), for a mediocre quarterback rating of 73.9. The running game wasn't generating much offense either, until the 4th quarter, that is, when it took over the game. LeSean McCoy wound up carrying the ball 29 times for a club record 217 yards (7.5 per) and a pair of touchdowns. Overall, the Eagles ran the ball 46 times for 299 yards (6.5 per) and four scores.
For the most part, Philly's defense played very well. Like Foles, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had trouble gripping the football, as he completed only 10 of 25 pass attempts for 148 yards (5.9 per), no touchdowns, and no interceptions, for a quarterback rating of 60.1. Calvin Johnson caught just 3 passes for 49 yards (16.3 per). The Lions ran the ball 33 times for 80 yards (2.4 per). Not only that, but the Lions fumbled the ball seven times and lost three of them. For the game, the Lions gained only 228 yards from scrimmage (3.9 per play), in comparison to the Eagles' 478 yards of offense.
So how did the Lions lead for three quarters of the game and put up 20 points? Their special teams. Returner Jeremy Ross ran back four kickoffs for 172 yards (43.0 average) and a touchdown. Not only that, but he returned two points for a total of 71 yards (35.5 average) and another score. If it weren't for the Lions' special teams, this game would have been a blow-out.
With the win, the Eagles improved to 8-5 on the season, and are temporarily in first place of the NFC East. If Dallas loses to Chicago tonight, Philly will have a one game lead on the Cowboys in the division. However, if the Cowboys win, they'll be in first place via the head-to-head tie-breaker. Up next on the slate for the Eagles will be a road game against Minnesota. Depending on Adrian Peterson's injury status, this could be a rather easy victory for the Eagles. They'll then face Chicago at home and Dallas on the road to close out the regular season. After tonight's game in Chicago, Dallas will face Green Bay at home (with or without Aaron Rodgers is the big question), head to this nation's capital to take on the reeling Washington Redskins, before squaring off with the Eagles in a game which could very well decide both of their playoff fates. If Dallas wins tonight, Philly will still be one game back of both Carolina and San Francisco for a Wild Card spot.
http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=331208021
With blizzard-like conditions throughout the game's duration yesterday, the game seemed to be much more fun for spectators (at home) than players on the field. Players were slipping and sliding around more than a drunken clown in an ice skating rink. There were so many fumbles and missed tackles, scorers reportedly lost track of them midway in the first quarter. The conditions were so bad, only one kick was attempted in the game, and that extra point attempt by Detroit's David Akers was blocked, as he slipped and fell on his backside directly following it.
It appeared as if Philly's offense couldn't get anything going until the 4th quarter. Nick Foles was having trouble gripping the football, as he completed just 11 of 22 pass attempts for 179 yards (8.1 per), 1 touchdown, and 1 interception (his first of the season), for a mediocre quarterback rating of 73.9. The running game wasn't generating much offense either, until the 4th quarter, that is, when it took over the game. LeSean McCoy wound up carrying the ball 29 times for a club record 217 yards (7.5 per) and a pair of touchdowns. Overall, the Eagles ran the ball 46 times for 299 yards (6.5 per) and four scores.
For the most part, Philly's defense played very well. Like Foles, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had trouble gripping the football, as he completed only 10 of 25 pass attempts for 148 yards (5.9 per), no touchdowns, and no interceptions, for a quarterback rating of 60.1. Calvin Johnson caught just 3 passes for 49 yards (16.3 per). The Lions ran the ball 33 times for 80 yards (2.4 per). Not only that, but the Lions fumbled the ball seven times and lost three of them. For the game, the Lions gained only 228 yards from scrimmage (3.9 per play), in comparison to the Eagles' 478 yards of offense.
So how did the Lions lead for three quarters of the game and put up 20 points? Their special teams. Returner Jeremy Ross ran back four kickoffs for 172 yards (43.0 average) and a touchdown. Not only that, but he returned two points for a total of 71 yards (35.5 average) and another score. If it weren't for the Lions' special teams, this game would have been a blow-out.
With the win, the Eagles improved to 8-5 on the season, and are temporarily in first place of the NFC East. If Dallas loses to Chicago tonight, Philly will have a one game lead on the Cowboys in the division. However, if the Cowboys win, they'll be in first place via the head-to-head tie-breaker. Up next on the slate for the Eagles will be a road game against Minnesota. Depending on Adrian Peterson's injury status, this could be a rather easy victory for the Eagles. They'll then face Chicago at home and Dallas on the road to close out the regular season. After tonight's game in Chicago, Dallas will face Green Bay at home (with or without Aaron Rodgers is the big question), head to this nation's capital to take on the reeling Washington Redskins, before squaring off with the Eagles in a game which could very well decide both of their playoff fates. If Dallas wins tonight, Philly will still be one game back of both Carolina and San Francisco for a Wild Card spot.
http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=331208021
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