Most Important Stat - Week 11
Week 10’s Most Important Stat for the Philadelphia Eagles is…takeaways.
The Chicago Bears come into tonight’s game in 20th place for total offense (points per game). Moreover, they are ranked 2nd in the league in interceptions (yes, that’s bad).
Look for Jay “ill-advised” Cutler to feed a hungry Eagles defense, who is ranked 3rd in the league in interceptions. Sean McDermott and his “D” kept the Birds in it last week while Andy Reid deserted the goal line running game and Donovan couldn’t find the end zone with his arm.
The Eagles defense should have another good showing here as they are really finding their stride. Sheldon Brown is active and expected to start. Trent Cole’s motor is greased up and he’s ready to put some pressure on Jay.
The referees should be fairly quiet tonight as these are two of the least penalized teams in the league. However, that stat doesn’t account for untimely penalties. Keep an eye on Moise Fokou, the rookie SAM linebacker, who is a bit undisciplined at times (no more personal fouls!).
TONIGHT’S PREDICTION: This one should be a dog fight (no pun intended, no. 7). Maybe not high-scoring, but close throughout. Look for turnovers and special teams to be the difference.
Eagles 27, Bears 13
Bird Seed - Week 10
I could usually give a rip about AFC games, but last night’s was certainly the exception—what a battle. If Donovan McNabb could mount just one comback like Peyton did last night in his entire career, the city of Philadelphia would replace the Rocky statue at the Museum with one of his likeness. Oh well.
Everybody is all over Bill Belichick today for his late game call to go for it on 4th and 1 on their own 28 yard line. They say that he showed a complete lack of faith in his defense. I say he couldn’t have shown more. Let’s see…give Peyton 70+ yards or 28 yards to earn a touchdown with 2 minutes to go?…don’t you think he took that into account?!
Bill Belichick showed an enormous amount of faith in his defense AND his offense—they both failed him. At least Bill is consistent with his decisions—unlike Andy Reid. Here’s a coach who attempts a 4th and 1 from inside his own territory one week and kicks a field goal from the ONE yard line the next! What kind of confidence is that in your offense or defense?! Red Zone woes…I smell my next Most Important Stat post brewing… Good ole’ Donovan overthrew Brent Celek in the corner for a touchdown, had an interception dropped, and almost overthrew the wide open Jeremy Maclin for that late touchdown. Someone stop the madness!!!
My player of the week: Jason Avant
Congrats to Jason for his career game! 8 receptions and 156 yards. Jason has quietly excelled in the West Coast offense and his fearlessness to go across the middle has reaped him big rewards. Jason is the game’s best slot receiver and he remains completely underrated. Cheers Jason!
Most Important Stat - Week 10
Week 10’s Most Important Stat for the Philadelphia Eagles is not really a stat…errant passes (Donovan, I’m looking at you)
It’s time to prove your worth as a Quarterback to a team full of explosive weapons. I understand that McNabb has the best touchdown to interception ratio of any quarterback in NFL history at this point in his career, and his dumping the ball off in bad situations is somewhat to credit. However, when wide open receivers are reaching behind them over the middle on 3rd and short…you HAVE to understand that this is why we don’t move the ball down the field and sustain drives.
Quite frankly, I don’t care how many NFC Championships he’s been at the helm for. I try not to remember those games he couldn’t win. in fact, all I really remember is his throwing up in the huddle of the final drive of the Super Bowl that he couldn’t win.
I don’t care how you do it, Don—just win. Kevin Kolb is foaming at the mouth to show you how it’s done. I almost wish you were on the cover of Madden again this year. Ouch.
TONIGHT’S PREDICTION: Passing versus passing. Each team has big play swagger. Who makes the fewest mistakes??
Eagles 28, Chargers 27
Banner in Wonderland
The Philadelphia Eagles front office has been applauded for their salary cap management, fruitful drafts, and having a Super Bowl window that seemingly never closes thanks to that same young, explosive talent. Unfortunately for Joe Banner and the rest of the Eagles brass, that window has never been big enough for Andy and the gang to fit—let’s call it the Alice in Wonderland effect.
The dynamic duo of Andy and Donovan seem to be living in this fantasy world where no matter what they do wrong all will be forgiven—their jobs never at stake.
Some may argue that the Eagles are one of the best teams of the decade, having been to 5 of the last 8 NFC Championship games. I would argue that Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb have been leaning on big plays and their defense for way too long. If you remember back to the end of last season, Joe Banner said his definition of insa
nity is “doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.” Not much has changed, eh?
I’ve put a lot of faith in Andy and Donovan over the years—I’m all out. We have a boy genius defensive coordinator who is honoring Jim Johnson with every sack , a young and capable quarterback sitting on the bench, and explosive depth at nearly every skill position.
Shorten your leash or remove it, Mr. Banner. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks—you said it yourself.
