Since I'm watching the game on my laptop today, it should be pretty easy for me to update frequently. I'll do a semi-live blog, jotting down my notes as the game goes on.
Fourth Quarter Notes
- Portis walks into the end zone on third and goal. Pitiful. 14-23 WAS
- I don't think the Eagles could score 10 points if they had 10 more quarters left in this game. Not with the way they're playing right now.
- Eagles ball on the 9 after a clip on the return. Awesome.
- Hip hip...the Eagles actually got a first down.
- Three first downs later, including a 40-yard run and catch to Reggie Brown. The Eagles are in business.
- 3rd and a half yard on the 2, Westbrook gets stuffed and they have to settle for a field goal. Again, pitiful. 17-23 WAS
- Just like their failed 4th down try against Chicago, Klecko went right, the run went left, away from the lead blocker, and he was swallowed whole in the backfield. Maybe time to try a new play in that situation, huh?
- 5:50 to go, 3rd and 3 for the Skins. Don't stop them here and the best-case scenario is getting the ball back with about 3 minutes to go.
- Campbell converts. Barring a miracle, this one is over.
- Not only did he convert that one, but he converted the next one with a scramble on 3rd and 9. This one is history, I'll be shocked if the Eagles even get the ball back at this point.
- 202 rushing yards for the Skins. The funny thing, it wouldn't have even mattered had the Eagles offense not completely shit the bed.
- 4th and 1, Washington takes a timeout, looks like they're going for it.
- Portis wanted it more than the Eagles. They had him wrapped up by two guys short of the first down, he carried them across the line.
- As the Skins kneel down to run out the clock I can't help but wonder if Andy Reid regrets using that challenge on a play that was obviously called correctly.
Disappointing doesn't begin to describe this loss. 2-3 in this division is quite a hole to dig out of. I don't think the Birds are capable. I'll have more on this game later. Right now I'm angry, frustrated and fed up.
Check after the jump for notes from the first three quarters.
First Quarter Notes
- McNabb throws a sick block on an end around.
- The Eagles run two end-arounds.
- Two catches for LJ Smith, both for first downs.
- Welcome back Westbrook!!!!! Long TD drive, 6 runs, 6 passes. Westbrook punches it in. 7-0 PHI
- Westbrook is now getting his chest worked on. Not good.
- 3 and out for the Skins on their first possession, they put a ton of pressure on Campbell and forced 3 incomplete passes.
- DeSean brings the punt back for a TD, but it's called back...Wait a second, the flag was on a Skin. The TD counts!!! 14-0 PHI
- The Eagles got a break on that no-call on the punt return, I'll take it.
- The Skins finally go to Portis, he picks up a first down with two runs.
- Sheldon Brown with a huge hit on Portis to break up a sweep, Brown left the game after the hit.
- The D gets pressure on Campbell without a blitz on 3rd and 8, Juqua takes him down for a 1-yard gain. No return for DeSean this time.
- Westbrook headed back to the locker room. The offense is now stalling.
- Check that, big catch for Reggie Brown over the middle, still driving.
- On 3rd and 5 McNabb overthrows one to Greg Lewis. Akers on and he misses a 50-yd FG. Akers is a problem at this point.
- Campbell finishes the first quarter 0/5, the Skins will face a 3rd and about 3 to open the second quarter.
Second Quarter Notes
- Cooley gets open in the flat for the first down. The double on Santana Moss worked, but Campbell had time to find Cooley.
- Screen to Cooley for 19 yards. That missed FG is going to cost the Eagles.
- FG for the Skins, 41-yarder. 14-3 PHI
- Westbrook is back in.
- Sav and Demps combine to pin the Skins at the two. Beautiful kick by Sav, the backspin looked like a chip shot on the green.
- The Eagles finally blitz, Campbell goes down for a big loss. This isn't brain surgery.
- On 3rd and 11 the Eagles don't blitz, Campbell picks up the first down.
- The
Eagles blitz everyone on 3rd and 6 and force an incompletion. The Skins
will attempt a FG after the 2-minute warning. Campbell was 6/7 on the
drive.
- Kick is good from 48. 14-6 PHI
- This is a
very important two-minute drill for the Eagles. They came out on fire
and then fizzled. If they don't put points on the board, Washington
will go into the half with all the momentum and will have the ball to
start the third.
- The Skins kick the kickoff out of bounds,
setting the Eagles up at the 40. First play, illegal snap, 1st and 15.
Great start. Batted pass, 2nd and 15. You can't blow this field
position.
- 3 and out, with another penalty. Washington will get the ball back with a little under a minute.
- Sav
and Demps combine again. This time the returner didn't call a fair
catch and Demps buried him immediately for no return. Skins ball on the
16.
- Washington driving, still have a timeout, approaching field goal range.
- Cooley catches 3 consecutive passes to set up a 50-yard attempt for Suisham with 7 seconds left in the half.
- He hits it. Unreal. 14-9 PHI
This was a horrible second quarter for the Eagles. They didn't
stop the run, they didn't stop the pass, they didn't move the ball.
Forget about the 14 points, the Eagles have some serious adjustments to
make at the half our this game is going to wind up a loss.
Third Quarter Notes
- Skins ball to start the third at the 20.
- Cooley is killing the Birds. 27-yard connection, first down at midfield.
- The D holds, Bradley stopped Portis on 3rd and about 4.
- Lewis with a bad drop on first down. Get him off the field please.
- 3 and out, Rocca boots one all the way to the 25, fair catch. No return. Where would the Eagles be without Rocca?
- The Skins pick up a blitz on 3rd and 9, Campbell converts. First down on the 42.
- Now they're just pounding the ball on the ground, and the Eagles can't stop them. Portis goes 21 and then 7.
- Trick play from Randel-El to Cooley for a TD. Reid wasted a challenge on the play, it'll be 14-16 WAS (after the XP)
- How
about mixing in a screen to Westbrook, a deep ball to DeSean or a pass
to LJ over the middle? Those three are your best offensive players and
they've barely been involved since the first drive.
- 3 and out for the Eagles. They look dead in the water. The D is going to need to get a turnover to jumpstart this team.
- Eagles hold, thanks mostly to an offensive pass interference penalty. Hopefully DeSean gets a chance to return the punt.
- Eagles ball at the 23. Let's put something together, huh?
- 3 and out.
- Booming punt, good return, late hit. The Skins have the ball in Eagles territory. 1st and 10 on the 43. Unreal.
- It'll
be second and goal from about the 3 to open the fourth. I'm not sure it
matters if they hold them to a FG at this point, the offense can't do
anything.
what website are you watching the game on
is it free
You can see it here, but it's low quality.
I'm watching it through DirecTV, which isn't free.
it's not being broadcasted
That link works for me, but there was no sound in Firefox. It worked fine in Explorer.
I hate to bring this up, but this will be the third crappy season for David Akers in a row. Yes, he was injured with the hamstring injury the first year, but he's just not accurate the past couple of years.
Time to draft a kicker in the next draft?
Unfortunately, it might be.
I really hate saying that. Akers is a left footed kicker and I have a soft spot for all lefties.
Off topic, but looks like your prediction of the Phils is 4 is spot on.. Phils 5 - o in 5th inning.
I think that's the only series I'll get right. Good for the Phils.
What in the world has happened to the offense?
It might be Monday morning QBing, but the Eagles D should have been prepared for the trick play with Antwan Randle El. He did it last week against Dallas and the previous week. That play was also part of last year's playbook. You gotta be awake for these things.
The D is looking tired now.
They should be, they've been on the field all game long.
I am growing very impatient with the Eagles at this point. This is the third game the Eagles should have, could have won. Shoulda, coulda wouldas don't put you in the playoffs.
Nope, in fact, they keep you out.
The Eagles offense flat out sucks...
They have nothing. The Redskins D is far from dominant and they made the Eagles look like amateurs. Westbrook is great but thats where it ends. They continue to stall in the end zone and have a garbage running game with one of the biggest O lines in the league. COMMIT TO THE FRIGGIN RUN already !
I think with this game and last weeks the window is almost shut for them to even make the playoffs...
You know the west coast offense works great when you have steve young, john taylor, and jerry rice. Not when you have "I panick when the game gets tight" Mcnabb, and Reggie "please sir can i drop another f'in pass" Brown.
Too many people have figured out the West Coast offense. Football is a game of evolution. Evolve or get killed off by another team that does. The Redskins have gotten better each game (and surprising to me), Campbell seems to be learning well under Zorn. The same can not be said of the Eagles. They appear to be stagnating and the West Coast offense is going nowhere.
One big disappointment so far has been Booker. I expected much more from him... I thought he'd be the back behind Westbrook instead of Buckhalter.
While the season is still young, the Eagles have dug themselves a very big hole. If they end with a losing record, what then? Do you go in another direction?
Are the Redskins for real yet?
Remains to be seen. The Eagles obviously are not.
I still contend that this Eagle defense is a solid unit. They are just exhausted in these games because they are on the field far too long.
BTW... The Jags William James got beat (again), this time for a TD. I'm glad he's not an Eagle any longer...
Which brings up a curious point... what happened to the Eagle team that beat the Steelers?
Ill agree with you on the Eagles D being solid. But unfortunately thats only half the team.
The offense is terrible. I think a lot of it is poor coaching and the rest of it is no real talent at TE and WR. I mean Jackson will eventually be really good but I am sorry...Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis I dont want on my team anymore. When Curtis gets back Brown needs to sit his ass on the bench. Plus the O line is etting old...
I'll agree 100% with Gdog that Greg Lewis doesn't belong on this team and that, when Curtis gets healthy, he needs to sit on the bench. But I'll keep Reggie, as long as Greg Lewis goes.
Just an observation... the Dan Klecko experiment on offense has to end. He missed his blocks on the two occasions he was put in today. Still think Tony Hunt will be workable, the problem is he's a work in progress.
And while I agree the line is getting old, perhaps McNabb's positioning in the pocket is part of the problem (that, and the fact that he doesn't have a quick release on the ball)?
And this stubborn adherence to the West Coast offense at all costs is getting old. If the Eagles don't improve and bomb this year, I think we need a new direction at that point. And given Andy's absolute commitment and love of the West Coast offense, that might mean new leadership is needed. Either that, or take the true GM power away from Reid, which I don't think he'll do. To me, if the Eagles finish anything worse than 7-9, we're moving in the wrong direction. Instead of waiting for the team to completely collapse, start the rebuilding at that point and stop the bleeding.
Outside of the players...I really think the coaching is bad on this team offensively. I mean we ARE week in the wideout spots and TE is barely serviceable. But with a massive O line, Mcnabb and Westbrook and sometimes Desean...Isnt there any way for us to come up with SOMETHING to execute on 3rd down or score in the red zone ? I dont think our players are THAT bad...Andy Reid is getting outcoached almost every week at this point. And if it comes down to a game where the talent of the teams is close(Washington) ...or hell even if its in the Eagles favor (Chicago)--the Eagles are losing the game. Unless there are overwhleming mismatches in overall team talent(Rams) the Eagles lose these games. If Dawkins didnt make a inhuman play to smack the ball out of Rothlisbergers hand we may be looking at 1-4.
So you guys tell me...are the players THAT bad ?
I dont think so...I think much like Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh, Andy Reid is not reaching his players.
This team could be 1-4, they could also be 5-0, easily. When you lose close game after close game I think maybe you have to start pointing the finger at the coaches. Take a look at the games they lost:
Dallas - Jim Johnson doesn't blitz Romo, he picks the Eagles apart in the second half.
Chicago - 2nd and goal from the 1, basically the exact same play three straight times with the same exact result. No TD.
Washington - 2nd and 1 from the 2, two bad runs, no 1st down.
The players have to execute, but the coaches have to carry some of the weight. It's funny, I was watching other games yesterday and I saw teams spreading out the formation on the goal line, I saw them passing the ball, I saw them doing so many other things than just lining up and trying to smash the ball into the end zone. Not the Eagles, though.
The definition of insanity is when you continue to do the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result each time. Anemic 2 minute offense, terrible play-calling, bad clock management, personnel deficiencies...these are all staples of Andy Reid's regime. It's nothing new. He's certainly a decent coach but his failure to make adjustments on the fly kills this team. He doesn't believe in the run (the thing I hate the most). Plus, he's getting out coached in more games every year. The miscue's make you want to break your TV. It's time to start following our sixers - a real team; enough with birds.
By the way, Westbrook suffered fractured ribs yesterday. It was the first thing Reid mentioned in his press conference today. Just a little more salt on an open wound.
Ugh, just saw the story and put up a post. What a waste. Football is a cruel, cruel game for fans.
The highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. That's why I don't get the package. 6 or 7 games is plenty of pain for one year.
My blood pressure usually goes through the roof this time of year, at least it's only the Eagles who are killing me right now, and not a disappointing first-round exit for the Yanks as well.