* More fallout form the Eagles' 13-10 win over Oakland on Christmas night...
- Guard Stefan Wisnieski should be ready for the first playoff game. He had an ankle injury, should rest the next two weeks, but be OK for the post-season.
- I think the Birds should play their starters vs Dallas on New Year's Eve, at least for a half. QB Nick Foles needs the reps, especially to build some rapport with his wide receivers. The team as a whole needs to regain confidence and build some momentum going into the playoffs. Beating the hated Cowboys- decisively- would help boost moral.
If guys are meant to get hurt, they will. And if you play scared, not wanted to get injured, that's when you get injured. So, attack Dallas The eagles are fortunate to have this meaningless game to iron-out kinks,e specially in their offense, before the post-season begins.
- Losing Carson Wentz for the season obviously hurts in the quarterback position, but I think the team has been hurt psychologically as well. The players may be doubting Foles and themselves after losing their leader. They are not the same team without Wentz, so they need to reinvent themselves in the upcoming weeks to fit Foles' strengths.
The team needs to rally, with their home fans behind them, and take an underdog approach to the playoffs. Shit happens. it happens, but that's football. The Eagles may never be in the position they are in now, having the No. 1 seed in the NFC and home field advantage thru-out the playoffs. Wentz or no Wentz they can't get down on themselves. It's up to the fans- both those lucky to be at the Linc and those rooting from afar, to support the players and will them onto the Super Bowl.
- Foles needs to play better. Wentz not only has the stronger arm and is more mobile and athletic, he had a way of converting third down situations, which keeps drives going. Not converting third downs and moving the chains stalls drives and makes the defense be on the field too long. In the cold weather it's important to run the ball and control the clock. Using Foles in play-action more, rather than in the pocket, makes sense. Foles can make the short, quick throws. Remember,he did lead the team down-field for the game-winning field goal against the Raiders.
Use the combination of Ajayi, Blount and Clement. Take shots down the field, but stick to the slants, the throws Foles can make. Don't throw the ball 38 times and put him in situations where he can fail or turn the ball over. Foles can win two more home games if you put him in the right situations.
- The other teams likely to be in the NFC playoffs are all different but none are unbeatable. The Rams are explosive but inexperienced. Plus they would need to fly across the country and play in cold weather.The Falcons have Matt Ryan and experience, but there's a reason why they will just be a wild card team, and they play in a dome. The Vikings have a great defense, but can they score enough with Case Keenum as quarterback?
The Saints have experience with future Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees, who has won in chilly Pihlly in January before. But they also play in a dome The Panthers are unpredictable, with a good defense and Cam Newton leading the way. So,are they likely to be a wild card team that needs to play an extra game on the road?
Also, I would rather be an Eagle fan, not only now, with a 13-2 team, but in the future. If the Birds don't make it to the Super Bowl after all, we got Wentz and a solid foundation.You gotta think that sometime in his career, Wentz will lead Philadelphia all the way. remember that he is this good and only in his second full year.
Look at the rest of the NFC East:the Giants are fighting among themselves. They need to hire a new coach. Beckham Jr. is a time-bomb waiting to go off. Their QB situation is shaky at best. They are destined to finish 2-14.
Dallas is crumbling, an average team at 8-8 if they lose to the Eagles on Sunday. Their coach is an idiot, their owner even worse of a goofball. Dak Prescott isn't as good as advertised. Zeke Elliot is another violation away form being out of football. Dez Bryant is a shell of himself and will probably be regulated to being a slot receiver in 2018. The defense is porous. The Cowboys, as an organization, have problems both on and off the field.
The Redskins are treading water, unsure if QB Kirk Cousins is their future or not. The owner has no clue and their coach is average. They may have a better future than Dallas or New York, but Washington doesn't scare me as a team who will challenge the Eagles anytime soon.
So, Eagle fans have gone from the Chip Kelly days of despair, when he ruined the entire franchise with stupid moves, to being a 13-2 squad.This resurrection surprised even owner Jeffery Lurie who expected a slower rebuild.
Whatever the reason, enjoy the ride this year and for seasons to come. Eagles fans- and Philadelphia sports fans in general- deserve it.
* I watched the Christmas Day action between the Sixers and Knicks from Madison Square Garden. I figured Joel Embiid, bad back or not, would play in the spotlight of the Garden on a big nationally-televised holiday game. If nothing else, Embiid does understand what it's like to be a showman, even at his young age. It should be one of many battles with the rival Knicks over the coming years.
Good to see New York fans such as Spike Lee and Woody Allen get disappointed on Christmas Day. Nice to see the 76'ers, after so many embarrassing season, finally play on Christmas in a meaningful game. It shows that Philly is back in the limelight in the NBA.
The Sixers head west for four more games thru-out the holidays. How many game swill Embiid play on the trip? Will we finally see No.1 overall pick Markelle Fultz anytime soon?
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