Squeezing it Out (Eagles Nov 29 Game)

 

This was a big win and a typical Washington vs Philadelphia Division nut cruncher.

In the end the Eagles triumph 27 to 24. And in comeback fashion. Although the game was a bit of a see saw contest. The game started like a roller coaster ride though.

 

“Crazy” Andy Reid tried his once every year or so start the game with an on-sides kick and the Eagles failed to convert. This resulted in a first and 10 at the Eagles 19 for the Redskins. I would argue you don’t do this in games where the opponent is considered lesser. However some would say the opposite. Meaning you feel you can overcome a deficit against an inferior opponent. But the Redskins are not that bad folks.

 

Anywho the Redskins took a lightning quick 7 to 0 lead. The Eagles answered with a nice drive. However it ended in only a field goal. The Eagles defense then held Washington after a short drive.

 

The Eagles went back to work and had another ball control drive that this time ended in a 35 yard TD pass to DeSean Jackson. This was his 11the TD of 35 yards or more in 11 games. The most since the AFL/NFL merger! It was a 10 to 7 first quarter lead for the Eagles.

 

The Redskins were not going to fold. They started a drive in the first quarter and it carried into the 2nd quarter and ended with a go ahead TD. The drive took 6:04 and covered 80 yards. 

 

Now withWashington winning 14 to 10, both defenses clamped down somewhat. But the Eagles eek-ed out a field goal off of Asante Samuel INT’s. Yes 2 INT’sled to both FG drives. The half ended with the Eagles up 16 to 14.

 

Washington came out strong ion the 3rd and the Eagles appeared as flat as ever. The defense looked steps behind as the Redskins marched down the field and scored a go ahead TD and a 21 to 16 lead. Both teams clamped down again but then Washington extended their lead in the 4th quarter with a FG to make it 24 to 16.

 

Did the Eagles have an answer? Could they come back for a second straight week?

 

Well buried on their own 10 they mustered up their best drive of the day for my money. 10 plays and 90 yards later and they had a TD. The drive had 2 monster plays from McNabb and Jason Avant. 2 catches for 66 yards! But the drive had some timely runs from Shady McCoy, Leonard Weaver, and Eldra Buckley. The TD made the score 24 to 22 so the Eagles went for 2 and got a great effort from McCoy on a shuffle pass for the 2 point conversion. The game was now tied at 24.

 

With 5:35 left on the clock the Eagles took over at their 20 and had another nice 10 play drive. This time for 60 yards and the game wining Akers FG. This drive featured a lot of McCoy and 2 Mac to Mac passes. Yes McNabb and Maclin hooked up for 1 nice 35 yarder and another 6 yard strike.

 

The Eagles held the Redskins last chance and took the old knee.

THE NUMBERS:

Philadelphia Passing
	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	RATING
D. McNabb	21/35	260	7.4	1	1	80.7

Philadelphia Rushing
	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LG
L. McCoy	17	76	4.5	0	19
L. Weaver	6	44	7.3	0	18
M. Vick	2	4	2.0	0	4
E. Buckley	2	1	0.5	1	1
D. McNabb	2	-2	-1.0	0	0
Team	29	123	4.2	1	19

Philadelphia Receiving
	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LG	TGTS
J. Avant	5	94	18.8	0	46	6
J. Maclin	5	63	12.6	0	35	7
D. Jackson	2	41	20.5	1	35	2
B. Celek	4	33	8.3	0	15	9
L. McCoy	4	25	6.3	0	8	6
L. Weaver	1	4	4.0	0	4	1
R. Brown	0	0	0.0	0	0	2
A. Smith	0	0	0.0	0	0	2
Team	21	260	12.4	1	46	35

• 2 INT’s for Asante Samuel

• Trent Cole had 1 sack and one very good game

• Held Washington 82 yards total rushing

• Washington was 8 for 17 on 3rd down conversion though. That will kill you as it almost did

• The Eagles had 9 passing first downs and 8 rushing!

• Both teams had 7 penalties each

• Eagles LB Tracy White had a solid game. With all the LB injuries that was good to see

 

Question from me:

I understand the heart of a lion and the warrior mentality but what if it is an injury that is detrimental to your position? Sheldon Brown is a trooper but he is getting toasted and having a hard time running with receivers, what’s the point of this? Are we saying that 80% of Brown is better than the back up CB?     

 

NEXT UP:

Big game in the ATL!