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| (Photo: Philadelphia Eagles) |
It’s almost just as difficult to find the things that went right today as it is easy to find what went wrong. Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin combining for 11 receptions, 204 yards and a Vick to Maclin 75 yard touchdown was perhaps the only thing that went well in the Eagles loss today. In every other aspect of the Eagles’ battle with the Lions this afternoon, there is a long list of faults to be distributed among the team.
Perhaps the most difficult to watch aspect of the game was the all-around performance of the offense from the protection to the play calling. The first half proved to be an absolute nightmare for the offensive line as the running game was eliminated due to poor protection forcing Vick to take an enormous amount of dropbacks.
The play calling of head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was nothing short of a disaster this afternoon. With an arguably top 5 running back in the NFL, the Eagles failed to get Lesean McCoy involved in the game and instead took to the air for most of the game. Ironically, it was the running game the Eagles were avoiding that aided in their defeat as Mikel Leshoure led the Lions’ running attack.
Other costly offensive mistakes included two costly interceptions thrown by Michael Vick as well as terrible 3 and out in the first series of overtime as the offense was backed up deep within their own ten yard line. A costly fumble resulting from a miscommunication of a snap between Vick and center Dallas Reynolds which left Eagles fans with their heads down. Reynolds has been the replacement for Jason Kelce who is out for the rest of the season following a knee injury suffered against the Ravens.
Tight end Brent Celek also struggled though having four crucial catches. He was responsible for not one, but two missed easy touchdowns dropping one and getting called for pass interference on the other.
The number 8 ranked defense in the league cannot go without blame either as the Eagles D struggled to contain Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense. Stafford, who did not see the ground once the entire game, threw for 311 yards and a touchdown. Stafford even played much below his personal best blowing a few missed easy opportunities for touchdowns himself.
The Eagles will head into a bye week this coming weekend before facing the undefeated Atlanta Falcons in two weeks. If the Eagles lose their next game, there is no doubt that the Birds front office will become rather active in response to a season where the Eagles should have a record better than 3-3. Let’s hope some drastic adjustments are made in the Eagles week off or this could be one sad season.
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