Breaking down the gritty Eagles playoff win over Atlanta...
* The Eagles beat the odds again. They won, a tight, gritty game last night at windy, cold Lincoln Financial Field, 15-10 over Atlanta. Everyone who said the Eagles didn't have a chance- Las Vegas, national and local media, so-called football pundits- now look extremely foolish and stupid not to see what myself and others ( like Ray Didinger and Tony Dungy) said all week- The Eagles are going to win.
I said early in the season that these Birds are a team of destiny. Every year in sports, one team just has "it." Everything seems to go right. They persevere through adversity, which makes victory even sweeter.The players, coaches, fans- all relished in the underdog, us-against-the-world mentality. Lane Johnson even brought out a dog mask after the game, marching around the field with the face of a German Shepard. I can easily see thousands of dog masks in the crowd next week when the Eagles host the NFC Championship game vs. the Saints or Vikings .
When Carson Wentz went down against the Rams, many thought the season was over. I had my doubts too, losing a player who was having a MVP-caliber year. Back-up QB Nick Foles did not play this year and started training camp with a sore elbow. Prospects looked bleak, despite having a 13-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Foles had shaky games against Dallas and Oakland but stepped up big-time last night vs. the Falcons. He had to feel slighted, like the rest of the team, insulted to be underdogs at home against a No. 6 seed. No respect, even form local writers like Mike Sielski, who claimed the Linc wasn't really a home field advantage.
It had to feel damn good to prove Sielski wrong, as the fans were wild and frenzied and never gave up on the team. They truly were the difference, louder than ever before, the building rocking, the fans hungry for redemption and a Super Bowl title. Last night was the first step to that goal.
I'll make my pick for the NFC Championship game later in the week. I am 17-0 in picking Eagles games this season. I can't see the Birds losing now,e specially at home. More later.
* Running back Jay Ajayi made a key fumble early in the game to stymie an Eagle drive, but he made up for it as the game went on. He ran hard, as did LaGarrette Blount and Corey Clement, and caught several passes. Ajayi gives the team that bell-weather runner they have needed. Young, explosive and tough.
Foles had many targets last night. Coach Doug Pederson had a brilliant game play, and make an adjustment during the game, as Foles was good in RPOs- Run-pass options. Foles played with more confidence as the game went oan. He should have even more confidence next Sunday, knowing he can lead the team to playoff victory.He out-played former MVP quarterback Matt Ryan.
* Carson Wentz was shown a few times on the sidelines. What must he had been thinking? It had to eat him up not to be playing, yet happy for Foles and the team. Wentz should take Philly to many playoff appearances and Super bowls before he's done. Wouldn't this be an extra-special surprising treat for the team to win their very first Super Bowl before they were supposed to?
I've always said, a Philadelphia team will finally win a world championship when least expected. The city of Rocky thrives in the underdog role. Could this be the year?
* The whole squad stepped up last night, especially key figures like Fletcher Cox, who kept a constant pressure on Ryan and the Falcon offense; Brandon graham, who seemed to be everywhere on the field, making key plays; Ciach Pederson, who didn't turtle-up and stayed aggressive. He may have been too aggressive at the end, almost forgoing a field goal that put the team ahead by five points and going to a fourth down at the three yard line.
Pederson did the right thing, extending the lead to five. As it turned out, Atlanta could've won the game with a field goal as time ran out. Instead they needed a touchdown to win. Getting a first down at the one-yard line or even the touchdown on fourth down may have ended the game with six minutes remaining in the game, and the Eagles up nine points, but Pederson took the points and put the game in the hands of his defense.
The defense played great all game, shutting-out the Falcons in the second half. The Birds made too many mistakes in the first half. Turnovers almost did them in. In fact, it was a rare thing for the Eagles, who had two turnovers, to win the damn game, as Atlanta did not turn the ball over. Generally, turnovers and penalties are sure recipes for disaster. The Eagles will have to clean up the turnovers next week if they want to win.
* I was worried Pederson was getting too cute in the first half with the Eagles at the Falcon's goal line. But they ended up scoring on a Blount sweep on fourth down. Pederson was very creative with his play-calling, using wide receiver Nelson Agholor on several runs as well.
Most of all, Pederson called a smart game and played to Foles' strengths. it was obvious the coaches did a great job in practice and during the bye week in tailoring the game-plan to fit Foles.
* Kicker Jake Elliot missed an extra point in the first half, but came through later, connecting on a 53-yard field goal to end the first half ( after a great connection by Foles to Jeffery to get the team into field goal range) as well as the chip-shot kick to extend the lead with six minutes to go. Elliot has a big leg, and after initial nerves, plus kicking with a gusty, swirling wind, Elliot- especially for a rookie- excelled.
* Several times it was the same scenario- is it a catch or no catch? Even though it ultimately went the Eagles' way, it would still be good for the NFL to simplify the rules so everyone- players, coaches, fans- aren't guessing. It's stupid, if the ball is moving, etc... Either you catch the ball or you don't. Why does it have to be so hard? Heaven forbid if the Super Bowl comes down to a replay decision by officials whether a catch is good or not.
* Owner Jeffrey Luire after the victory danced in the Philly locker room, getting down with the players. Lurie seems like a good guy, especially in contrast with a snake like Dallas owner Jerry Jones Nice to see him having fun with the guys. It did look kinda weird to watch this well-dressed, older guy with white hair boogying like he did. Imagine what he will do if the birds do win the Super Bowl?
* An area of the team the Eagles and GM Howie Rossman will need to address next fall is the return game. The punt return team turned every punt into an adventure. Kenyon Barner caught the punts coming his way ( except for a short kick that hit several Eagles and turned into a giveaway). but he hasn't been an explosive threat to take one back top the house. Kick-off returns haven't been a threat either. Since Darren Sproles went down with an injury, the birds have been content just to catch punts. Returns are quick, extra scores, and not to have that threat puts the Eagles at a disadvantage.
* I'm glad the fourth down play that sealed Philly's win, the incomplete pass intended for Julio Jones in the end zone, didn't connect, of course. Almost had the feeling somehow, someway Atlanta was going to score there, the eagles so snake-bit over the years. But Matt Ryan choked, as the pass rush made him throw the ball high to Jones in to corner of the end zone.
I didn't agree with the play-call, as Ryan rolled right, looking for Jones. The Eagles claimed they expected the play, which limited the Atlanta options, cutting the field in half.
So, as it turned out, the Falcons couldn't get back to the Super Bowl. I was surprised they made the playoffs, to be frank. After blowing a 25-point lead last February in the Super Bowl, psychologically I thought Atlanta wouldn't have a good year. They did make the postseason but the year has to be considered a loss compared to last year.
Traveling across the country, a dome team playing in the cold weather of the northeast, all came into play last night. Atlanta was thought to be the best match-up for the Eagles in the divisional round.It was a tough, hard-fought game, but looking back, Atlanta was truly the best match-up for the birds to play.
* So, what does it all mean? The Eagles- our Eagles-are only a game away from their third-ever Super Bowl. Only one home game away from history, a chance at an epic parade down Broad Street, at a championship banner being raised at the home opener next September, a chance for the long-suffering fans to be proud and known they are champs. No more backseat to Cowboy or Giant fans. Those older,loyal fans, who endured so many losing seasons, who populated the 700 level at the Vet, those hard-working, blue collar fans who will travel anywhere to support their Birds,they deserve that chance. There are also those older fans who always wanted to relish in a world championship before they die. Next Sunday is one step closer to that dream.
Today we will watch the Saints at Vikings contest in Minnesota. Winner comes to the Linc next weekend, losing goes home. Each bring a unique strength to the field: the Vikings with their solid defense and the Saints with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and a powerhouse offense. Either way, it will be a real challenge for New Orleans or Minnesota to come away from the Linc with a victory.
It's one thing to play against the Philadelphia Eagles. It's another to go against Destiny.
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