PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- EAGLES

 My take on the Eagles' season opening victory yesterday at the Linc...

It was a beautiful day to be at Lincoln Financial Field Sunday afternoon, as the Eagles took on the Washington Redskins in the season and home opener. I had ticket near the corner of the end zone at the closed end of the Linc- great seats! The place was packed, as usual, with a late-arriving and tail-gating crowd filing  in the seats, as usual.

Before the game we stopped by the WIP radio booth and listened to some of the pre-game show, featuring Glen McNown Ray Didinger, Ruben Frank, Ike Reese and Ross Tucker, among others. A nice crowd was gathering at the booth, most sporting some sort of Eagles gear. A few Redskin stragglers filtered through the crowd, but luckily it was 99% Bird fans.

Because the 2019 version of the 'Skins stink, Washington has become pretty disillusioned  with their football team. Generally there would be more than a few Redskin fans at the Linc but clearly their fans have bolted even way before Game 1 even started.

The pre-game ceremony was stirring as usual, with a fly-over, the Eagles cheerleaders and drum-line doing their thing, and a 100-yard American flag that was unfurled before the National Anthem.Then came the Rocky music, which always gets me pumped. The Eagles won the coin-toss (heads was correct) but couldn't do much with the ball into the 2nd quarter. Deservedly so, they were booed going into the locker room at halftime, down 20-7.

I was concerned but didn't feel like the game was lost. After all, this was the Redskins we were playing.

The Birds came out in the second half on fire. They scored the next 25 points in the second half. Coach Doug Pederson made a crucial  call , going for two points, up 27-20. By converting the two point play, he made it tougher for Washington to come back, knowing they needed two scores instead of one with time running out. Pederson takes chances, yet another thing to like about his coaching style.

In the first half I thought Pederson's play-calling was too conservative. He went down field more in the second half and hit DeSaun Jackson for pay dirt.

D-Jax got the loudest ovation during pre-game introductions, even louder than Carson Wentz. Now Jackson can get open and catch shorter route for first downs, not just long bombs. He still has the blazing speed to catch bombs and get open, but now he is also a better receiver.

The Eagles have so many weapons on offense. So does Dallas. It will be a war when the Birds play the Cowboys this season.

I wanted to see former Bear running back Jordan Howard utilized more. When he did touch the pigskin on the second half he ate up chunks of yardage. Instead, Darrin Sproles and Miles Sanders got most of the touches early. Corey Clement ( his dad was schmoozing with fans before the game near the WIP booth), was used on kickoffs but not as a running back.

Oddly, there were no turnovers by either team. Penalties were called but nothing drastic to change the outcome of the game.

The Redskins look like they are going to have a long season. True, they did build an early lead. But Case Keenum at quarterback is a waste. The score could've been more in favor of Washington if he connected on some open looks down field.  There are no stars on Washington. If they win three games they will be lucky. And, for some strange reason, they benched all-time great Adrian Peterson. Advantage Eagles.

Who will be worse in NFC East- the Giants or Redskins?

Next weekend the Birds fly to Atlanta to play the 0-1 Falcons in Sunday Night Football. Beating Atlanta down there will be a task, but the birds always seem to have the Falcons' number. Coming home 2-0 to play the Lions would be great. Stock-piling wins now, for that tough October stretch of three road games in a row, will be huge.

Washington has their home opener next week when they host Dallas. Hopefully the "Skins will get up for their rival and play well.