Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Unsurprising Eagles

Think back to August. The Eagles were predicted to finish last in the NFC East. While we knew that there was no way the Redskins were a better team, we understood that the Eagles had flaws: they still don’t (or can’t) run the ball; still not enough talent at receiver; still can’t stop the run. On top of that, you know one of these days the defensive playmakers are going to lose a step, we seem to come up short in big games, and there was always the possibility of a McNabb or Westbrook injury.

Then suddenly, the Eagles were 4-1, and all you heard on ESPN was how the offense was clicking, and that they could be undefeated if not for that one overtime loss! Yeah, they could have been undefeated – if they didn’t blow a 17 point 4th quarter lead.

Then they were 4-3, and the talking heads were less excited, but still amazed that if not for that OT loss and two last second field goals, the Eagles were undefeated. Right – if they didn’t snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against the Giants, forget to play the first half against the Bucs and the Saints and then not quite finish the comebacks because they can’t run the ball to hold a lead or kill the clock, they were undefeated.

It could have been a great year because McNabb is that good and the receivers were good enough, but only if everything went right. But the Eagles got burned because if you can’t sustain a drive and rely on the big play, you can’t play from behind and you can’t hold a lead. That isn’t a recipe for success, and nothing about that has changed since August. Don’t be shocked that they were struggling.

But if we make the playoffs without McNabb, then I’ll be surprised.

1 comment:

Pete said...

I will not be surprised if we make the playoffs without McNabb since the NFC is absolutely horrendous, I will be surprised,however, if we win a game in the playoffs. The Eagles really are a recipe for disaster. They are a big play offense, currently lacking a big arm quarterback. Their defense can't stop the run, which gets magnified when they are on the field for 45 minutes a game. I've seen them sustain 5 and 9 minute drives this season to finish games. Only when they can do that consistently will they be able to win again in this league.