Nice dramatic victory by the Eagles last night at the gloomy, rainy Linc. Credit the Birds for the 4th quarter comeback. Up until then, the game was a boring sham. Philly had hit rock bottom, losing to the 2-10 Giants at home. The team deserved to get booed at halftime, down 17-3.
Then QB Carson Wentz pulled a miracle comeback. The rap on Wentz has been he never brings the team back, and he doesn't make the players around him better. Both issues were resolved last night. Wentz looked confident and assured as he drove the Eagles down the field with only minutes to ho, finding the reliable Zach Ertz in the end zone for the game-tying touchdown.
Then, with rookie receivers Greg Ward and J.J. Orceda-Whiteside on the field, Wentz again drove the offense down the field. Along with surprising running back Boston Scott ( We have both a Boston and a Dallas on the club), the Birds scored the winning touchdown in overtime.
The team was lucky to win the coin toss starting OT. New York's Eli Manning, having a solid game, did not get a chance to get back on the field.
The crowd was dead for 3 quarters. The driving rain and wind never let up. The Linc was damp, dreary with soaked. depressed fans until the crucial 4th quarter and overtime which saved the season.
With Alshon Jeffery hurt and Nelson Agholor unable to play, the wide receiver corps were down. Even back-up quarterback Josh McCollum was prepared to enter the game as an extra wide-out.
Scott gives the team an extra burst of speed and explosiveness. They must use him as they did Darrell Sproles. Along with running back Miles Sanders, Scott would make a nice compliment for the ground game.
The G-men proved why they are ultimately a two-win team. Their defense isn't awful, but their offense benefited from the Philadelphia poor secondary. Corner back Ronald Darby was terrible again, getting beat consistently. He needs to go after the season.
Sidney Jones, often invisible during the season, came into the game in the 4th quarter and made a key stop. It would be nice if Jones finally stepped up and proved he was worth all the hype and high draft selection.
Right tackle Lane Johnson may be hurt. He hobbled off the field in the second half with what looked like an ankle injury. Hopefully it's not too serious.
The Birds are now 6-7, tied for 1st in NFC East with the Cowboys. Dallas plays at home this week vs a surging Rams team. Meanwhile, Philly goes to Washington to face the lowly Redskins. But as we saw last night, divisional games, especially on the road, are not easy to win.
Sunday, December 22 is the big game, as Dallas comes into the Linc. It will be payback time for the Eagles, a time to show they have heart and haven't quit.
Hopefully the players continue to show the passion and fight as they did late in the Giants game.
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The Phillies are at the Winter Meetings and rumors are flying that they are in on third baseman Anthony Rendon and shortstop Didi Gregorius. They also need another starting pitcher and about 4 pieces in the bullpen. Still much work to do by GM Matt Klentek. Let's hope he is aggressive enough to get the job done.
Stephen Strasburg is off the market, re-signing with the Nationals yesterday. I want Garrit Cole ( who will probably go to the Yankees) or Madison Baumgarner (who is reportedly seeking a contract similar to Zach Wheeler).
The Phillies Christmas Tree Lighting, held last Saturday at Citizens Bank Park, was a nice time. The organization always does a great job with such as events.
Approaching the festive, decorated ballpark, parking was free. Outside the home plate gates were a pair of live reindeer that had come down from upstate Pennsylvania.
The Phillies store was full of discounts and sales. When we arrived, Phils' announcers Larry Andersen and Ben Davis were waiting, greeting fans. They are nice guys and we took a picture with them. We briefly talked baseball before going on our way.
The Pass and Stow restaurant was open but the only food we saw were soft pretzels and hot chocolate.
We were able to get on the field and see the Phillies clubhouse. All of the ushers were extremely friendly and helpful. The field looked good, the grass rich and thick. The infield dirt is gone. There's something haunting about gazing at an empty ballpark. You can almost hear the crack of the bat, the cheers and vendors, and smell the aroma of hot dogs in the air. Summer isn't that far away.
I never was in the clubhouse before and that was a treat. It was cool to be in the bowels on Citizens Bank Park again, snaking our way to the first base side of the stadium. The clubhouse itself is a bright, cheery place. The Phillies logo is everywhere.
I also loved being in the Diamond Club, not only savoring the plush inside, but soaking in the quiet atmosphere of being outside in the empty ballpark on a chilly December afternoon. I don't know if I'll ever actually see a game from the diamond Club, but it was a nice experience to check it out at least once.
The highlight of the day may have been meeting Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins in the Tour Room inside the ballpark. The room was beautifully decorated with bright, twinkling lights and sparkling Christmas trees. Hoskins was friendly as we shook hands and take photos. He has a powerful handshake! The only bummer was no autographs allowed.
The actual Christmas tree lighting was worth the wait in the chilly late afternoon air. In front of the park were a group of Christmas carolers, dressed in Victorian garb. Two Phillies ballgirls were in attendance. Scott Palmer did the honors as the Master of Ceremonies. Phanta Claus ( The Phillie Phanatic) and Phebe Phanatic were there, as Phebe dancing with fans and security guards who stood nearby.
Hoskins arrived via fire truck. he said a few words, the lifeless tree was plugged in and zoom! a beautiful red and white tree was lit, signifying the beginning of the holiday season. The ceremony took about 20 minutes, the crowd dispersing to the warmth of their cars or the ballpark again.
All in all, it was a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon, as dreams of spring training and the spring made the fans smile.
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