 Eagles 27, Falcons 14: Game Notes
I have to be honest with you, I was sick to my stomach for the first quarter plus of this game. McNabb looked about as bad as I've ever seen him. Usually, you can count on him bouncing a couple of passes, maybe throwing the ball behind a receiver or two. Today, he was airmailing passes left and right. I really thought there was something physically wrong with him.
Luckily, he shook it off and turned in a pretty good game. He probably wouldn't have had a chance to if it wasn't for the return of Brian Westbrook. You can't say enough about this guy. I'm through with conditional statements where he's concerned, when healthy, Brian Westbrook is the best running back in the NFL. Period, end of statement. The refs blew two calls in this one, the first a roughing the passer on Trent Cole, which wasn't even close. The call didn't directly lead to points. The second call was huge, and it came at the most fortunate time possible for the birds. The Falcon defense pulled it together and forced a punt with two minutes and change left on the clock in the fourth. Sav's punt was short and the returner had to run up to field it. At the last second, he pulled away from the ball and let it bounce in front of him. He never touched the ball, but it took a weird hop and the refs thought he did. They called it a muff and gave the ball to the Eagles. The Falcons were out of timeouts so they couldn't challenge the call, this sealed it. With under two minutes to go Brian Westbrook broke one off the left side and took it 39 yards for his second touchdown of the game. I don't know about you, but I was kind of expecting him to take a knee at the one yard line again, this was essentially the same situation he did so against the Cowboys last year. Two things to take away from this game and build upon. The first is Westbrook. I don't think he was 100% for this game, his moves were all there, but his explosive speed was not. Hopefully he'll be fully healed for next week. The second was the old Number 5. McNabb had a couple of really nice runs and they came at huge points in the game for the Eagles. I'm glad he's evolved into more than just a scrambling QB, but if he can mix in some plays with his legs it will make the offense much more dangerous. Offensive Player of The Game: Brian Westbrook Defensive Player of The Game: Asante Samuel DeSean's Bonehead Play of The Game: -13 yards on a punt return. Ugh.
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A big win for the birds for sure. They dodged a bullet...Im not saying the falcons would have pulled it out but it was closer than it needed to be. Did Asante Samuel leave the game and not come back ? It seemed White got open a lot more on Lito....I dont care what anyone says about how great all the eagle corners are. Samuel IMO is an all pro starter in this league...sheldon Brown if hes lucky may be an all pro alternate. Lito would not be on the team, but he is clearly their 3rd best corner. And he still is pretty good. This game could have gone either way....glad it went our way for a change. I mean lets face it...if the Falcoms would have gone up by a point and there was say 1:30 left in the game with 1 timeout....Does ANY Eagle fan have confidence that Mcnabb could have driven them down the field,Reid would have managed the clock properly and that Akers would have hit a 47 yarder to win the game ?
I didnt think so. Sometimes its better to be lucky then good.
Just wanted to say Alex K. did a fine job analyzing the game. He was right on with Roddy White. I felt bad for him as a Falcons fan with that call because as Eagles fans, we all know how calls like that can ruin our week.
That last blown call is the kind of call that usually goes against us. I could see Reid burning timeouts and not having one left for a challenge just as Atlanta did. It makes you uncomfortable that it's what sealed the Win for the Eagles, but a win is a win, any way you get it. It's nice to have a blown call benefit us for a change.
As for DJax, he's got loads of talent, but his rookie mistakes are hurting! When is this guy gonna learn how to return a kick? And wasn't it good to see Kevin Curtis pick up a few receptions in his return?
And even though I don't think he belongs on this team, Greg Lewis did down that ball on the one in an awesome special teams play. And we still missed Tony Hunt when we couldn't run it in for one yard at the goal. And there were rumored Considine sightings in the fourth when BDawk was out for a play or two.
And on the subject of rare sightings, where in the world is Lorenzo Booker anyway? Is he still on this team? He's even harder to spot than Considine at this point.
I consider this game to be karmic retribution for the Chad Lavalais/Jeremiah Trotter ejection game in 2005.
Right on BrainS !! I forgot all about that game.
You are correct...that was an awful call that ruined the Eagles that night so what comes around goes around. Lorenzo Booker apparently cant block so he stays on the bench. As far as missing Tony Hunt...I dont think so. Hes not a fullback and hes not better than Buck. Couple that with crappy special teams play...you get the picture.
For the last 10 years...the Eagles STILL need someone who can just plow thru bodies and get a yard or two when we need it. Westbrook is not that guy, neither is Buck. Having Tony Gonzales would have helped here...hes like having another O Lineman. Only the best blocking TE of all time...
Maybe next year.
I would not say Westbrook is the best running back in the league--pure running BUT...his combo of running and pass catching does indeed make him the MVP of this league and yes the best overall running back.
How about that catch and run by Klecko? I couldn't believe it. Too bad it was called back because of a penalty.
It would be great to get a Leroy Hoard type of back to use on short yardage. You gotta think there's a guy like that out there somewhere.
Thank you very much, it was nice stepping in for Brian but I'll never be as good.
well i did in fact make my largest football bet of the season on the eagles -9 and what a mistake that was. i thought matt ryan wouldnt have time to even get a first down and yet again i wa wrong wheres the D that played against pitt??? why did u not address why andy reid almost single handedly gave the game away ???? worst call in pro sports history bar none..up 10 4th and goal on the one the kick a fg???? now 2 tds sends u to 3-4 they still need 2 scores to tie and are at the one inch line if u dont make it how how how do you kick a fg???? if i wasnt for atlanta not being able to challenge the play philly loses that game hands down as they could not stop matt ryan ..if i wasnt for the miracle of brian westbrook i would be pan handling in the streets on las vegas and if he took a knee at the one i would have jumped off my balcony in my suite eagles suck !!! andy reid should be put to sleep please explain the reasoning behind that call!!! worsr call in the history of football
well i did in fact make my largest football bet of the season on the eagles -9 and what a mistake that was. i thought matt ryan wouldnt have time to even get a first down and yet again i wa wrong wheres the D that played against pitt??? why did u not address why andy reid almost single handedly gave the game away ???? worst call in pro sports history bar none..up 10 4th and goal on the one the kick a fg???? now 2 tds sends u to 3-4 they still need 2 scores to tie and are at the one inch line if u dont make it how how how do you kick a fg???? if i wasnt for atlanta not being able to challenge the play philly loses that game hands down as they could not stop matt ryan ..if i wasnt for the miracle of brian westbrook i would be pan handling in the streets on las vegas and if he took a knee at the one i would have jumped off my balcony in my suite eagles suck !!! andy reid should be put to sleep please explain the reasoning behind that call!!! worsr call in the history of football
Dude, I love the Eagles, but I've seen them do way too much stupid shit to ever wager actual money on them.
Wise words.
Dude...NEVER, EVER bet on the Eagles. They could beat or lose to ANYONE at any given time.
If they win the NFC I wouldnt be surprised. Nor would I be if they were 6-10.
If you want to bet on something bet on Andy Reid NEVER ordering the salad. I would bet my house on that one :)
Gdog got it right.
You can't predict what direction this team is moving in. They could turn out to be this year's version of the Superbowl winning Giants or
in the toilet with the likes of KC, LA, Detroit and Cincy. I would hope that Lurie doesn't let them fall to a 3 -13 team before pulling the trigger on Reid. At least hire a real GM or give the job in more than just title to Heckert but clip Reid's wings!
One thing possibly worth wagering on, but maybe not as sure a bet as Andy never ordering a salad....
How much do you wanna bet that with our first two draft picks, Reid picks up an O Tackle and Guard?
You know how he loves drafting his linemen....