Eagles Find a Way to Win in San Fran
The Eagles put up an agita-inducing but effective performance this week in San Francisco against the 49ers and found a way to win. When backed up against a wall and in need of a big time W, the Birds defense really stepped up late in the game.
They were first sparked by a Quintin Mikell interception that led to the go-ahead field goal late in the fourth. In addition to that play, there was a flurry of big defensive stops with Omar Gaither, Juqua Parker, and Trent Cole all coming up big. It was a Juqua Parker pick-six that was the icing on the cake of an Eagles victory on the road.
The play of the day that will likely be argued about over and over on Monday will be Andy Reid's decision to send out David Akers with one second left in the first half to attempt a 50+ yard field goal. FOX's broadcasters informed us that Akers had missed something like ten straight from this distance.
Well, the decision proved costly as Akers kick was blocked and returned by the Niners for a touchdown. Talk about a momentum swing heading into the half.
Former Eagle Takeo Spikes made his presence felt by catching a Donovan McNabb pass that looked completely forced to a well-covered L.J. Smith.
While the chances of winning were looking bleak late in the game, the defense stepped up after McNabb's interception to Spikes and forced a three and out. The offense was okay today, seemingly moving the ball at will at points but also going three and out on numerous occasions.
It was almost a relief to see McNabb hit L.J. Smith in the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. They needed that badly.
With both the Redskins and Cowboys (PUNT BLOCK!) losing today, I'm happy with an Eagles win no matter how they got it done -- especially without Westbrook, Curtis, and Brown in the line up.
A win is a win is a win.
Finally, as the game clock was winding down, you could hear chants coming from the crowd in San Fran of "Beat L.A.! Beat L.A.!"
Now it's the Phillies turn for a Sunday win.
Birds win, Redskins and Cowboys lose . . . perfect weekend, football wise.
Go Phils!
Posted by: Argive | Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 07:45 PM
we are mediocre
who cares!
i will take it for tonight!
how many more weeks do we need to see defensive guys in our backfield because of our "FB" and our "TE" getting blown up?
Posted by: theKrisheim | Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Question: How come the ESPN NFC East blog doesn't feature the Eagles? Ah, Matt Mosley's a Cowboys fan, right?
Posted by: doubleh | Monday, October 13, 2008 at 01:30 AM
I thought Reid's worse call was not going for it on 4th and inches inside the 20 at the end of the game up by 4.
Eagles usually win when they need to get back to .500, now they have to take the next step.
Go Phillies (and Flyers)
Posted by: BFisch | Monday, October 13, 2008 at 10:03 AM