Sizing up the Eagles 31-3 romp over the Chicago Bears......
* The Eagles move to 10-1. If Washington beats Dallas on Thursday, the Birds officially win the NFC East title. Philly isn't just beating teams- they now have a 9-game winning streak- they are destroying them. They have beaten the last four teams by over 23 points.
*The Eagles are the best team in the Red Zone in the league. They don't turn the ball over near the goal line-Wentz has no interceptions at all in the Red Zone- and they score touchdowns once they get close.
They did fumble twice yesterday, which is a concern and didn't cost them. But overall, turnovers have been a key to the Eagles' success, and in a good way.
* Not playing down to their competition has been a hallmark of this Eagles' squad. Fans and the media were worried about the Bears being a "trap" game before the team heads west.But the Eagles took care of business, no let-down, knowing the goal is now to get a playoff bye and home field advantage thru-out the playoffs.
New Orleans lost to the Rams yesterday which drops the Saints to three losses. Minnesota still lurks behind the Eagles at 9-2. The Rams are also 8-3, with Seattle right behind them at 7-4. Philadelphia plays the Seahawks and Rams the next two weeks.
* The team is at the point now that if the Birds don't at least make the Super Bowl, it will be a huge disappointment. because it appears the Eagles do have the best team in football .I've always said, a Philadelphia team will finally win a championship when least expected. No one thought the Eagles would be this good.Others said 8-8. I predicted 10-6. They already have 10 win- with 5 games to go.
* WR Alshon Jeffery is gradually starting to take over and show why he's a true No.1 receiver, something the Eagles badly needed. He had another good game, this time against his old team, the Bears, and he and Carson Wentz seem to be developing a more consistent bond. The front office should think about signing Jeffery long-time, as he becomes a free agent after the season ends.
You could replace Torry Smith next year with Mack Hollins, but Jeffery should be with this team long-term.
* The defense once again were monsters, shutting down the Chicago ground game to a mere few yards. The Bears didn't get a first down until very plate in the first half. They get after opposing quarterbacks. Even with starting middle linebacker Jordan Hicks out for the year, the defense hasn't missed a beat. The team depth and unity is amazing, championship-worthy.
* The announcers on the Fox broadcast - Kevin Burkhart and Charles Jones- were just OK ( at least Dick Stockton wasn't there). But as we get closer to the playoffs, the announcers will get better, starting next Sunday night with Al Michaels and Cris Collingsworth.
* The Eagles teammates are having fun with his run, maybe even more than the fans. Their celebrations are fun, doing the Electric Slide together after scores. With more national exposure, this team will catch on with football fans everywhere.
They aren't coming off as cocky (of course, if we were the opposition, maybe I would be pissed off), just having fun, enjoying the ride. Loving the journey is part of the fun, and the players themselves are showing the doubting fans that it's OK to enjoy the ride.Coach Oederson seems fine with the celebrations, as long as they don't cross the line and result in taunting or penalties.
The team has style, as most championship-caliber teams do, Remember the "Icky Shuffle" or "Refrigerator" Perry and the dancing Chicago Bear team of 1985?It's what makes sports fun, especially when it's your team doing the celebrating.
* Every Saturday morning during football season, Howard Eskin ( who I like) has a sports handicapper on named Marc Lawrence. He has been on with Eskin for years and makes interesting listening. But as a handicapper, he sucks.
Once again, he blew it yesterday, taking the huge 14 point spread with Chicago. But it's not only that he seems to weekly pick losers ( he loves taking underdogs), his logic is just plain stupid
He has tons of data and computer stats. He plays on trends, what a team did in the past. Like yesterday, it seems as though the Eagles have a poor record at home, coming off a Sunday night road game the week before.But Lawrence doesn't understand this is a different eagles team. This club has nothing to do with a team that played 10 years ago.
I get revenge games- games that happen in the same season. But when Lawrence- or any sports handicapper- gives advice because of a record that may have transpired years ago, I don't buy it.
Lawrence may be fun to listen to, and gives fans or bettors food for thought, but I wouldn't play his picks. With the Eagles so good, and most likely a favorite for the rest of the season, don't expect Lawrence to be on the Eagles' side many times in the next few weeks.
* After the Steelers beat green Bay last night, 31-28 to move to 9-2 on the year,Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin stated that his team "should win it all" ( the Super Bowl. It's great to have confidence in your own guys. But the Steelers need to get by New England-probably twice- to even reach the big game
Pittsburgh will need to beat the Patriots in week 15 to get home field advantage, which will be big in the playoffs. Win or lose, Pittsburgh will most likely play the Pats gain in the AFC Championship game.
Playing the eagles in the Super Bowl won't be an easy task wither. Tomlin just gave a few teams some bulletin board material for down the road.
* Was RB Jay Ajayi pouting after the game while getting interviewed in the locker room? Was he down after fumbling into the end zone ( the ball was recovered by Nelson Agahlor ), bummed by not breaking away from the pack on a long run again, or pouting because he's not getting the ball enough?
It was claimed he had an attitude problem in Miami. There's great chemistry in the Eagles' locker room now, and if there is any bad feelings going on by Ajayi, cooler heads will prevail and the vets will talk to him and advise him not to be so selfish by spoiling this special season.
* TE Zach Ertz had the first 100-yard receiving game this season. He's having a Pro Bowl year, Wentz' most reliable receiver. With all the stars on this team, Ertz' effort -his break-out- season- may be the most under the radar.
It helps that the outside wide-outs are opening up the slot are and the middle for Ertz to roam. But he also has to catch the ball, and Ertz has done a great job so far in 2-17.
* So, what does it all mean? The Birds go to 10-1 and are set to clinch their division. Goal No.1 is checked off. Now it's a matter of getting best record in the NFC, so a first-round bye and home field advantage is secured.
Who is going to beat the Eagles? Let's look at the last five games carefully:
- Next Sunday night-at Seattle-
The Seahawks aren't what they used to be, even at home. They are missing Chancellor and Sherman on defense. A e now then before.
-At Los Angeles-
A tough game with the upstart Rams in LA, but also a winnable game. The Rams are one of the youngest teams in the NFL. How will they hold up against a team as good as the Eagles?
- At New York Giants-
A division rivalry game. The Giants would love nothing better but to derail the Birds' path to the playoffs. But let's face reality- the Giants don't have a chance here.
- Vs. Oakland-
Like one last Christmas present, this Monday night game against the Raiders ( who may be desperately fighting for a wild card spot or even for the AFC West crown) will be wild at the Linc. What if it's snowing? What if the Eagles are 13-1 and could wrap up home field advantage thru-out the playoffs with a win? Merry Christmas, ;Philadelphia!
- Vs Dallas
It won't mean the NFC East,t hat's for sure. It could mean absolutely nothing to either team. The Cowboys will be out of the playoffs by this New Year's Eve clash, and the eagles may be resting their starters for the upcoming playoffs.
So, an unbelievable 15-1 record is totally possible. I don't know how or when, but I think the Birds lose one game sometime before the end of the season ( probably a road game at Seattle or LA)..14-2 would be fantastic going into a home playoff game.
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