Still recovering from the giddy turn of events that landed the Eagles in the 6th seed of the NFC Playoffs? EYE am. Funniest part of the deal is I had to throw away about five pages of notes prepared on how to repair the team once it had been eliminated from the postseason last weekend. But now it turns out we got a lot more work to do with the very same team we’ve roller-coasted with all through 2018.
So we must stay on task.
You know, you build a roster with the idea always in mind that you anticipate a 19- or 20-game season. But rarely (unless you’re New England) do you get that durability issue tested in back-to-back seasons.
But here we are again. Will we, can we physically take it to the limit?
The Eagles PR department is making sure we say all the right things. Of course we’re banged up across the board, but at this stage of the long season, who isn’t?
Head coach Doug Pederson said on Monday afternoon that Nick Foles will start at quarterback in Sunday’s Wild Card matchup against Chicago. Foles is “feeling good,” per Pederson, after exiting Sunday’s win over Washington with a chest injury. Pederson added that Nate Sudfeld will be the backup.
Foles may be “feeling good” today, but he’s one hit away to the sternum from oblivion on Sunday. It’s just the way it is right now. I will not be shocked if Nate Sudfeld gets the call of duty of his life against the Bears. Nate is prepared, so must we be as fans.
The Chicago Bears win with a dull but effective formula—grind it out on offense with a low-risk time-of-possession attack, then unleash their well-rested hounds on defense. Their objective on defense this Sunday will be to legally knock Nick Foles to the ground in relentless fashion.
Doug Pederson knows it, too. He says he’s okay with it:
“We’ve got our work cut out for us. We know how good they are on defense and we’re looking forward to preparing for that,” Pederson said. “Our job as coaches is to make sure our protection is sound, make sure that we’ve got the guys in the right position. Of course, the players around our quarterback have to do their job in protection and keep him clean. It’s a tough task, but I appreciate what our guys go through.”
My negative interpretation of that statement is threefold:
- Doug is subliminally expressing doubt that his pass-protection is sufficient;
- Nick Foles’ mobility will be limited by conservative play-call from Doug, which takes away about 25% of Nick’s most effective potential playmaking;
- Lining up extra guys to protect Foles really limits the Eagles’ universe of play-calling on offense.
So I must accept we’re going into Chicago with one hand tied behind our backs on offense.
If we follow that line of thought, the Eagles are banking on their rejuvenated defensive play to steal the show. Games are won on the line of scrimmage and the Eagles’ defensive line looks to be peaking as a unit. Linebackers and defensive backs are tackling well and consistently for the first time all season. Our rag-tag secondary seems to be learning well on the fly. Rasul Douglas has become a consistent starter on the outside and has provided stability. Douglas has played 100 percent of the defensive snaps in the last five games and has two interceptions, three pass deflections, and 48 tackles. Another pleasant surprise has been tough little cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc, who was claimed off waivers from the Detroit Lions on November 5. He has been forced to play more than 63 percent of the defensive snaps in the last seven games and has started four times, mostly at the nickel cornerback position.LeBlanc has been a stable force in relief for the injured Sidney Jones. Even first-year safety Tre Sullivan, who was activated from the practice squad before Week 6, has been crucial in the Eagles’ defensive turnaround.
As for the mentality of working overtime in the playoffs, DE Michael Bennett finally is talking to us and the media again, and his timing couldn’t be better:
“It’s that time of the year when you have to step up with so much on the line.”
“I’ve always prided myself on being a complete football player. A defensive lineman does more than just go out there and get quarterback sacks,” Bennett said. “There are a lot of other things that go into the equation. Here, sometimes you have a chance to help another player get to the ball, and that’s just as gratifying to me. We all work together. It’s taken a little bit of time to feel totally like myself here, but I’m in a good place. I’m excited. We’re playing well as a defense. We’re coming together.”
Translation: DEFENSE is the ultimate weapon of the Eagles heading into Chicago. Right now it seems to be traveling well.
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