Win Out- And We Get a Home Play-Off Game!

**** Bob Toledo, formerly of UCLA (head coach) and New Mexico (offensive coordinator), named Tulane head coach. ****

Today's Profound Thought: How on earth can the Eagles and Andy Reid be a game out of the NFC East lead- holding the tie-breaker over the Cowboys?

The AP says:

The Philadelphia Eagles were outgained, outmuscled and nearly blew an 18-point lead.

They were able to win- and keep pace in the playoff race- because the Washington Redskins also led in two other vital categories: turnovers and bonehead plays.

Well, that is just it, right? Since Joe Gibbs arrived in Washington, a heckuva a lot of teams have implicitly acknowledged that it is always a safe plan to stay in a shell and sort let the ‘skins self-destruct via endless penalties (a 4th quarter!! too many men in the huddle?), brutal turnovers and a defense that for a generation now simply can’t get off the field in a big spot in the fourth quarter. Ever.

So, I concur this game was more about Washington simply being bad, poorly coached and absurd. But you know, for two games in a row the Eagles beat a team that they probably could have lost to. They fought, never hung their heads, and didn’t turn it over- forcing Washington to do positive things, make good football plays to win- and that categorically is not the Redskins. Philadephia got big plays from Michael Lewis and Omar Gaither- who at fresh and kinda mediocre is still a huge upgrade over Matt McCoy. And let’s hear it for Jeff Garcia. He’s not turning it over- making many plays. After missing badly last year with that Mike McMahon guy, Reid has conncected with The Gay Blade.

And yo people! Let's take this trash down!

What else? As usual, the Redskins ran the ball too much- another gaudy day on the ground- with no touchdowns to show for it (the one TD was a drive almost entirely via the pass). The Eagles can’t stop anyone- and the game plan is too shorten the game? cost your offense possessions? take the ball repeatedly out of the hands of the one guy (Campbell) who just might get lucky and make a 40 yard play? It was just nonsensical- but coaching, particularly “offensive coaching”, is not exactly a Washington strength right now.

The PDN ran this chart today- along with the fact the Reid has won eighteen games (ed. that is a lot!) when opponents have rushed for 100 yards:

Date RB Att.-Yds-TD's Result
11-10-2003 Ahman Green 29-192-1 Eagles 17, Packers 14
11-23-2003 Deuce McAllister 19-184-2 Eagles 33, Saints 20
12-10-2006 Ladell Betts 33-171-0 Eagles 21, Redskins 19
1-11-2004 Ahman Green 25-156-0 Eagles 20, Packers 17
11-12-2000 Jerome Bettis 30-134-1 Eagles 26, Steelers 23
11-5-2000 Emmitt Smith 26-134-1 Eagles 16, Cowboys 13

Draw your own conclusions about that- but one more point about rushing the football. The Eagles did perform one absolute positive act- crisply running the last 4:58 off the clock. You might have noticed they did it throwing the football.

Several defenders said they expected Eagles running back Brian Westbrook to pound the ball on the final possession. Instead, Philadelphia came out throwing. Jeff Garcia threw short to Brown, and after a Westbrook run, Garcia found fullback Thomas Tapeh for a first down.

"We were playing nine- and 10-man fronts, and give Coach [Andy] Reid some very, very good kudos, they did a very good job on their approach," Williams said. "Garcia got it out of his hands very, very fast, which was good on his part, because if he'd delayed it a little bit longer we probably would have been able to close the cushion enough to prevent that play."

Ever since the ball was kicked to begin the Indianapolis game, the Eagles have steadfastly improved their play-off position. They’re back from “no way” to “50-50”. The Giants (or Cowboys) probably will get the first spot. But Philadelphia now holds a two-game lead over Carolina- due to the head-to-head tie-breaker.

Someone is getting in at 8-8- and its probably the winner of Atlanta–Philly. Attention NFL: Do the right thing- and flex this last game to 8:30PM New Year’s Eve. Bring your gloves and helmet Mr. Vick!