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Ladies and Gentlemen: The Philadelphia Eagles

By uxley11, Section NFL
Posted on Fri Oct 06 2006 at 10:12 PM EST
More on: (all tags)

After a bittersweet football weekend where my Ohio State Buckeyes won in Iowa, and my Cincinnati Bengals lost to the Patriots, I was hoping that Monday night would be the best game of the week.  Well, it wasn't exactly the best game but the result couldn't have been better for the Philadelphia Eagles who defeated the Packers 31-9.  It might have been the Packers but the Eagles are slowing showing their former selves.

    Philadelphia came into this season expected to finish maybe 8-8 and at best tied for last, in the supposedly the best division in football, the NFC East.  Well, ever since Donte Stallworth came to Philly from New Orleans the team has looked superior.  And based on their record you really can't argue.  Instead of being last the Eagles are tops in the division and have a relatively easy schedule.

    With Donovan McNabb on the team the Eagles can't be expected to lose a game.  He could be the best quarterback in the league (sorry Manning fans) and he is definitely the best leader.  McNabb's stats so far show a 59% completion percentage, 1248 yards passing, and nine touchdowns.  There isn't a quarterback in the league right now that I would pick over McNabb.

    The Eagles have played well in 15 of the 16 quarters that they have played in this season.  The exception?  The September 17th game against the Giants in which the Eagles had a 17 point lead going in to 4th quarter and then losing in overtime.  But what did the Eagles do after this crushing loss?  Went to San Francisco and beat up on the 49ers.

    I think that that loss to the Giants was a good thing for the Eagles.  It showed them that they have to play for 60 minutes not 45.  I am sure Andy Reid lit a fire under their asses after that game and they should not have a collapse like that the rest of the season.  You can mark my words on that statement.

    The Eagles have also been spreading out the offense a lot more compared to last year where the pass to run ratio was 3:1.  They have been giving the ball up to the most versatile halfback in the game, Brian Westbrook.  Despite having discomfort most of the season, and missing the Monday Night game, Westbrook has rushed for 256 yards on 44 carries and getting into the endzone three times.  Westbrook also has 15 receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns.  

    Donte Stallworth, like I stated earlier, gave this team new hope because they're receiving game was up in the air.  With Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis being the primary receivers, many experts predicted Westbrook could get as many as 30 carries a game.  But along came Stallworth, who instantly became Philadelphia's go to guy.  Stallworth has caught 12 balls for 248 yards and two end zone runs.  Look for McNabb and Stallworth to hook up for at least eight more touchdowns.

    The Eagles schedule is also very favorable, with the Eagles getting all of their "hard" games at home, with the exception of their division games.  The most difficult game I see for the rest of the season would be the Eagles and Colts in Indianapolis.  Outside of that, I see the Eagles going at the worst 5-3 before their bye week in week nine.  If someone told me the Eagles would win their division, a couple months ago I might have called them crazy, but now I would believe them.

    The Eagles so far have the best-rated offense in the league, rating in the top three in all major offensive categories.  There are only two other teams in the league that are putting up more points per game then the Eagles and those two teams would be the Dallas Cowboys, who the Eagles play this Sunday, and the Indianapolis Colts.  Look for the Eagles to continue this offense production the rest of the season.

    The Eagles defense isn't too shabby either.  Even though the Eagles rate in the middle in most defensive categories they are holding their opponents to point totals that can easily be exceeded by their stellar offense.  I mean if your offense is putting up 30 points a game, and your only giving 18, most of the time that results in W's.  I see the Eagles defense being able to shut down teams when it matters.

    Overall, the way that Philadelphia is playing right now you can clearly see the difference between this year and last year.  No distractions this year and I have only seen the Eagles on Sportscenter a couple of times and those couple of times deal with upcoming games.  

    The Eagles will have a better record than the previous season.  I also think the Eagles will win 12 to 13 game this season.  That will obviously be good enough to get into the post-season.  I don't want to get started on playoff predictions so I won't.  But get ready America.  The Eagles are back!

What do you think of Philadelphia so far?  Let me know at andrewuxley@insight.rr.com