The Eagles host the Hawks today in the battle of the birds. Both team sitting at 8-2 and high hopes of the playoffs in their future. Which team would show they wanted it more? Turns out the home team took the advantage with a Eagles 41-14 win.
Carson Wentz was on fire today going 19/22 for over 3oo plus yards and 4 TDs. It almost looked like they were playing ball on the street. Carson just telling Etrz to go to the Buick and turn around. They looked loose and confident all game. The recing core had a good day being led by Ertz with 5 catches for 102 yards and 2 TDs. The ground game was patient and moved the chains as needed. Guice 17 carries for 81 yards led the charge.
The defense held the hawks run game in check. Only 7 yards on 7 carries by the Hawks. The Eagles line put pressure on Wilson all game. this only resulted in 2 sacks by big man Fletcher Cox, however this forced 2 INTs, one by Hill for a walk in TD.
Eagles are sitting nice at 9-2 right now. Can they push that final stretch and take the number 1 seed to get that very important first round bye?
The Eagles defense shows its teeth in Buffalo during their week 8 match up. 6 Sacks by the Dline, 2.5 by Fletcher Cox. the secondary was on fire all game picking off Josh Allen 4 times. The Eagles defense just had a great game plan after a good week of prep. It paid off as they were on point in all phases.
The Offense run game struggled to get going vs the aggressive LB core by the Bills. Wentz had a few mishaps including a pick 6 on the first drive of the game. Another pick came later but on 3rd and forever it was pretty much just like a long punt and had no effect. Other then the 1 INT Wentz was solid. 17/24 and 2 TDs. Etrz was just a monster in NY racking up 7 catches for 140 yards and a TD. The entire team was involved as Wentz spread the ball to 9 different recs.
Eagles have been on track and after a Redskins loss to the Vikings the Eagles have taken lead in the div. Next up is the big bad Bears and Mack. The Eagles will have to design a detailed plan in this one. Time to hit the film room.
The Eagles walk into Minnesota where only 2 years ago they are hoisting the Superbowl Trophy. Today they strut out with a big 41-20 win putting them with a 4-2 start, 2nd in the Div and now flying out to Dallas to face the Cowboys.
The offense was being pressured all game vs the heavy blitzing Vikings team. The ground game never could get anything going only producing 6 total yards on 15 carries. It was a Ugly day for the Eagles run game. Wentz played a smart, solid game having 2 TDs, no picks and when needed hit the 3rd down conversions to move the chains.
Where the Eagles dominated was on the defensive side of the ball. Fletcher Cox was owning the Vikings Offensive line with 3 sacks, 5 sacks total for the Birds defense. the secondary did its job as well intercepting Cousins 4 times, 2 that went for TDs. The Vikings just could not get anything consistently going against the Eagles defense.
The Eagles travel to Green bay this week. The Birds knew they would have to play all phases of this game to be able to pull out a win. With some luck and great preparation that is exactly what happened in this one.
Carson Wentz played a mistake free game. Going 18/22 for 222 yards and 2 TDs. the most important stat is zero INTs. The Packers Defense strives on turnovers and was not able to pull one off this game.
The ground game was off and on all game. However the coaching staff keep pounding the rock all game. Guice had a 104 yard rushing day with 1 TD. Newly added HB Hines from Indy had a nice game as well rushing for 33 yards in the ground. He also had 3 catches for 51 yards and a TD. No one was the main target in this game as the offense was planned to play boring. Short routes to stay away from the ball hawking secondary of the packers was the goal. DeSean Jacks was not happy with not getting many catches and yards, but the team was happy to pull off the win. There is no I in TEAM DeSean.
The defense had its struggles but against a coach like ThatDude and QB Rodgers it was not suppose to be perfect. All eyes were on WR Adams. Dont let him beat you. The Eagles D succeeded in their task. Two INTS by the Birds, one early in the game and more importantly one on Packers last game winning drive. Only 1 single sack recorded by DT Fletcher Cox. The front just could not get to Rodgers quick enough. One the ground however the Eagles were all over the runners holding the Pack to under 80 yards rushing. That is a win by itself.
Coming out of Green Bay with a win puts the Birds at a 3-1 start. Much improved from the first season. Preparation and game planning is starting to pay off.
The Eagles dominated the Lions in a week 3 match up in Philly. Carson Wentz was playing like the leader he showed in 2017. He played a well controlled ball game going 14/17, 256 yards and 1 TD. Wentz had one miss timed throw but was early. As he clamed down and went through his progressions, it was a easy game for Wentz.
The play calling was on track in the run game. No giant explosive runs, but it was a successful day all around for the running backs. 109 total yards combined with 4 different runners getting the rock. The lions defense played tough, making some hard hits. Eagles had 3 running backs go out at some point during the game. Luckily though every one was short term and came back the next drive.
The defense had a solid game only giving up 3 points to Matt Stafford. Only 1 sack and 1 INT but it was enough to make the once pro bowl Qb uncomfortable in the pocket. MLB Grugier-Hill gets his pick and upgrades to a Star progression for his efforts.
With this game behind them, they now had the toughest match of the season. The Packers and coach ThatDude who has always been a tough match up for everyone this madden and past maddens. Eagles will have to play a very smart and boring game to have a chance in this one. Time to hit the film.
The Eagles week 2 game in Atlanta was all about the Eagles from start to finish.
The Eagles offense had a great week of preparation this game. Carson Wentz fired back with a good week. 24/28 320 yards and 1 TD. He spread the ball all around making it difficult for the Falcons defense to stop one area.
The recs all around did a nice job this week. However Nelson Agholor has something to prove this season with a new contract loming. he took advantage this week catching 7 passes for 116 yards and 1 TD. If he keeps this up, the Eagles will have no reason but to dish out the cash for him.
The ground game was not as impactful as week 1 with only 59 yards on the ground from 6 different runners. Yes that is correct, the Eagles spread the love today on the ground. The Falcons stack defense made it hard to find lanes, but it was important for them to keep it going to open up the passing game.
The defense prep was on point. Knowing where Matt Ryans favor targets and areas of the field he liked to attack. The Defensive line came up with 4 sacks, including one for a safety. Fletcher Cox landed 3 of the 4 sacks in the game. The Offensive line for Atlanta did not have an answer for the all pro DT.
The Eagles learned a lot from this weeks game. Preparation is the most import focus for the week. Lets hope the take this lesson and run with it.
The Redskins and Eagles make a massive trade only 1 day before they face off for a week 1 match up. Eagles tring to open up some future cap room trade LB Nigel Bradham and OG Brandon Brooks to the Skins for two 2nd year players in Running back Guice and DT Payne.
Guice showed his talent right away against his old team and he ran all over his old team. Over 160 yards on the ground for the balling ball. Jordan Howard was a great complement as he also had a nice day n the ground avging over 5 yards a carry. Even without their stud OG, the Eagles run game was explosive.
On the defensive side of the ball, it was the big plays on the ground that hurt the birds. Missed tackles led to 20 yard plus gains over 4 to 5 yards. Being the first game in over a month, tackling will be a focus going forward.
Where the biggest efforts need to focused however is in the passing game. Wentz has the talent but was throwing into coverage too much. With the success on the ground, the birds would have had better results taking the check downs instead of forcing turnovers. 3 turnovers had this game in the redskins hands with good field position. Not much the defense can do when your getting turnovers.
It didn't take the Eagles HC long to get into vacation mode. Less then 12 hours after week 17 was over, he was spotted on the beach. With the extremely late start to his season because of his long vacation, the Eagles fans are hoping this early vacation means he will be getting back to work sooner then later.
All eyes now however have set focus on the offseason and what moves the FO will make next to help this team get back to the playoffs. Big names have been question marks on if they will be with the team next season. Brandon Graham, Malcolm Jenkins, Malik Jackson are just a few. All have big cap numbers and could see a exit to add some cap for free agency.
The beginning of last season was exciting in the FO, new names added, older names gone. We are looking forward to see what happens in the next chapter.
The Eagles drive down to Washington one game behind the Cowboys for the division. One would think the team would be pumped up but instead it looked like the Eagles were ready for the offseason already taking a big 27-3 loss.
Even though it was a turnover free game for Wentz, he looked very flat. 10/17 for 95 yards and no TDs. Carson was not on the field much as the Skins had crushed the birds in time of possession. Carson was over throwing at times and looking like he is ready for hunting season.
The run game was pretty much dead. Jordan Howard was taken down early in the game with a injury and will be out the rest of the season. Over all, the birds only gained 17 yards on 5 carries. The team just could not get any momentum.
After the HC not starting till 3 weeks into the season, this team just was not off on the right foot. Coach Death said he has already begun to plan for next season and get off to a better start. Lets hope the offseason is more prepared.
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots walk into Lincoln Financial on Sun with some swag. However what they did not know was it was going to be a long day for the Patriots. The Eagles were juiced up and ready to go for the matchup coming off their bye week. The the end of the game, the Eagles fans were excited to see Brady walking off the field with nothing but disappointment on his face.
The Eagles defense all year has been a sack machine. Brady and the Patriots were ready for it, adjusting the protection all game led to zero sacks for the Eagles aggressive line. "We might not have had any sacks, but our defensive line did a great job still getting pressure" said HC Death. Coach was right, that pressure led to 3 interceptions by Brady. Brady might not have been on the dirt that much, but he was nerves enough to throw some unadvised passes in the Eagles direction.
For the offense it was a all around solid game. the running backs joined together for 18 caries and 70 yards on the ground. Only a 3.89 avg but against a aggressive cover zero defensive team, that was impressive. Carson Wentz shined once again against the aggressive DC piling on 313 yards, 3 TDs and 1 late pick. Carson looked calm and looks like some practice is getting him in a rhythm with his receivers.
WR Jennings a rookie snagged off the Seahawks PS during week 1 saw his first action today in place of WR Scatling who was placed on IR earlier in the week. The rookie was impressive with 2 catches, 66 yards and a TD. A few more games like that and Scatling should be looking over his shoulder next season for that #3 spot.
The Eagles host the Chicago Bears yesterday in a up and down rollercoaster game. Surprising the Birds held strong through most of the game on both offense and defense. But the more prepared team came through when the clock hit zero which leaves the Eagles now sitting at 3-6 on the season. When asked if he regrets taking it so laxed in the mini camps, spending all his time down the beach other then practicing the coach had this to say. " Well you have to have that balance in life. It cant just be all work, work, work. In Atlanta it was nice, we won our Super Bowls, but there wasn't much to do. When I came to Philly and saw that beach summer life, I was hooked. We will get it together within time. But we will get there like we always do." Was that the answer the Eagles fans wanted to here? The answer of we just have to take this season as a learning curve? No, but what choice do we have. None
As for the stats, the offense took shape with the arm of Carson Wentz. Wentz had some very successful drives, pushing the ball down the field. 2/34 for 294 yards, 1 TD, 2 Picks. Zach Ertz was on fire most of the game snatching up 7 catches for 107 yards and 1 TD. It seamed the only thing that could stop Ertz was DeSean Jackson. We love D Jackson but on a key moment of the game, Jackson was on a Slant route, Ertz on a Corner route. Wentz pulls the trigger throwing to Etrz and Jackson thinks its to him, putting up his arms just tipping the out of reach ball and knocking it right into the Bears DBs hands and a walk in TD. This play turned to be the turning point of the game.
The running game was really non existent by both teams in this game. The Eagles had a ugly 15 carries for a whopping 8 yards. It just seamed every run the Bears defense knew the second it was handed off and yelling out run, run, run. However the Bears did not fair that much better. In the beginning of the game Chicago had a few successful runs but by the 2nd quarter the Eagles defense was having the same stout run stuffing defense as the Bears.
The game in the end was a defensive battle. Both teams getting heavy pressure. Bears and Arron Lynch taking down Wentz 2 times in this game. He was getting instant pressure so much the Eagles were forced to double team him in the second half which was able to shut him down. The Birds though had there own success in the pass rush, dropping Taylor 5 times. Twice by stud DT Fletcher Cox. Bradley Chubb gets another sack in only his second game with the Eagles.
Looking at this season there have been some good, some bad and yes some ugly. We all know the head coaches success stories. The front office knew his track record of the first season being below average due to starting off practices late. Sucks for the fans in the short term, but if his track record stays consistent from the past, the Eagles fans will be happy in the long run.
It is the mid way point for the WFL season 1 and the NFC East is in a tight battle. Every game will be important as no team has a safe lead. Now that the Eagles are installing new plays and schemes they are starting to build momentum. However every other team in the East will not just lay down and die. This will be a very interesting 2nd half of the season to see who can claim the East.
The Philadelphia Eagles go to Buffalo on a 3 game losing streak. This sparked some nasty ness into the Eagles defense who had struggled to stop the run all season. This game however there new style run defense they practiced helped contain the Bills to only 38 rushing yards, 27 which were by the QB on 2 scrambles. Newly added Bradley Chubb chimes in on his first game with 2 tackles and 1 sack.
Where the Eagles impacted the most was winning at the line. 7 Sacks by the Eagles defense, 6 more tackles for a loss vs the run. If one area struggled a bit, it was the pass coverage in the 2nd half. The Bills called 42 pass plays and young QB Jackson pulled out some tight throws into the coverage, impressive. Ronald Darby however showed up with 2 INTs and a dropped third. Overall the Def Cord for the Eagles was impressed how the team did not give up and fought hard to help the team get a well needed win.
On the offensive side of the ball Wentz had a few get away from him, missing his target by 5 to 10 yards. One even resulted in a pick. But the big kid from North Dakota did not let it bother him as he stayed in there and was effective with 14/25, 226 yards and a TD.
The run came was on fire early in this game for the Birds. Nelson Agholor gets his first good game in his new position with 93 yards on 6 carries, 2 TDs. Nelson also helped in the passing game with 3 catches for 30 yards. Jordan Howard got in the mix as well with 5 carries for 36 yards. The head coach said" I was happy to Nelson going early. We know he is new to the position so we knew we have to give him time to adjust. the key now is with this success, can he be consistent with it. Its something we will keep an eye on closely all season."
If the Coach is happy, the team is happy. the coach looks to be buying in now that labor day is over. Is it too late is the question?
Yesterday the Eagles added more depth to the safety position by adding speedster Natrell Jamerson after the Packers let go of the 2nd year DB. Natrell last madden was a force on the Falcons and was the starting SS on both Super Bowl winning teams. The Eagles coaching staff who previously was with Atlanta is excited to add Jamerson to there already deep secondary. Jamerson was a sure tackler in college and because of his WR background, has a eye for the ball. With all the new additions to this safety core in Bates, Jones, Apke, Cravens and now Jamerson, one would ask is this end for veterans McClod and Jenkins?
Another day, another trade for Howie Roseman. Howie looking at the future years by making yet another big deal for the long term of this team by pulling off a deal with the Broncos to bring in 2nd year OLB/DE Bradley Chubb to Philly.
Chubb will be welcomed and gain a starting role right away on this team as the Eagles have been struggling against the run. Chubb with see a lot of action in the OLB role in the base sets. However where Chubb will show the most benefit will be in the nickel and dime packages, moving into the DE pass rusher position. This will be a good start for the young DE as he will soon look to take over for Brandon Graham full time in the near future.
The Eagles had to give up Super Bowl Champion DT Tm Jernigan in the deal to land Chubb. Even though Tim has had some good years in Philly, he saw himself move down the depth chart with the additions of DTs Payne and Jackson. Jernigan will be missed but sadly Tims future with the Eagles just did not add up. Joining Tim will be WR/ST Braxton Miller. Miller did not see much time on the field for the Eagles, this is something he is hoping will change in Denver. The the big value came in for the Broncos in the deal was adding the Eagles 2nd round draft pick.
The Eagles don't like giving up 1st or 2nd round picks often, but for a special player like Chubb, the Eagles pulled that rare trigger. Jake Butt was a added player for the Birds, making that 4 TEs. Jake might not get a lot of chances to hit the field but with todays game, you never know when the injury bug can come calling.
Overall a pretty fair trade for both sides. The Birds are looking forward to see how much impact Chubb can have right from the start.