My comments on the Eagles' victory over Jacksonville this morning in London...
-Much-needed win, levels the birds at 4-4 with a bye next week. Still made plenty of mistakes and the Jags could've easily won the 24-18 game if they weren't so bad. Still, the win keeps the season alive with five NFC East division games still ahead.
Dallas awaits at the Linc in two weeks, on Sunday Night Football. Key contest, as Dallas may be 4-4 as well. Plus always a big game when the cowboys come to town. I'm sure the Linc will be rocking in two weeks- and I'll be there.
- Probably the worst news to come out of London was the Lane Johnson injury. Looks like the right tackle sprained his MCL, which means at least a month on the sidelines. This offensive line was shaky enough. More than ever, Coach Pederson needs to depend on the run.
--Will GM Howie Rossman be more inclined to make a deal or two before Wednesday's trade deadline? Holes are there, in the secondary (Jalan Mills was injured too, a foot injury, but he was walking after the game), O-line and receiver. Bringing DeSean Jackson back would be a good start for the offense.
- Jordan Matthews stepped up and played a great game at wide receiver, made several big catches. I can see Matthews assuming an even bigger role down the stretch, as QB Carson Wentz seems very comfortable with his old buddy. Matthews would do well as the slot receiver, if Nelson Agholor would move to outside receiver- unless the Birds do get a speed wide-out.
- The kicker and punter did their jobs today. Too many turnovers, especially by Wentz, almost killed the Eagles early. Too many times this season Philly has shot itself in the foot with turnovers and penalties. Not today.
- For Jacksonville, they drop to 3-5, two games behind Houston in AFC South. They just don't have the team they had last season when they went to the AFC Championship Game. No faith in the shaky QB Bortles. The Jags may be one team in the hunt for a new quarterback next spring.
- As a fan, London week was different. Fun seeing all the reports from England during the week, but I'm sure it would've been much more fun to actually be there. Can imagine hundreds, if not thousands of Eagles fans are winging their way home as I write, if not tomorrow.
Having a Birds game in the morning was odd too. Seeing the post-game show around lunchtime was screwed up. Can only wonder what a long two weeks it would have been if the Eagles lost.
I know having a London game is a pain, and football purists, like my friend Ray Didinger, hates the overseas games. But in a way, it is good PR for the league and each team. I seriously doubt there will ever be a foreign club in the NFL ( how would the travel and schedule work out?). But having three games in London a season isn't a killer ( as long as they never take a Philadelphia home game away). More than three games- even a game every single week in London, would be too much and dilute the special event that it is.
They got over 85,000 people into Wembley Stadium today. Why ruin it?
- So I was wrong. Rarely do I pick against the Eagles. I did this week, thinking last week's devastating loss to Carolina may be too much to overcome, concerns about the travel and time-difference too. Again, if the Birds were playing a better team than the Jaguars, it may have been a different story. Still, give the Eagles credit for starting on the comeback road, with an eye at the rival Cowboys ahead.
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