It was a bountiful Thanksgiving for the Eagles and their bleeding-green fanbase. The Birds pummeled the Cardinals 48-20 to keep their playoff aspirations alive. Unlike a week ago, there are plenty of positives to reflect on, as well as some negatives. Here’s another look from the Eagle Eye:
- Joselio Hanson, not Lito Sheppard, started the game at left cornerback in place of injured Asante Samuel. Hanson played solid and recorded his first career interception.
- Speaking of interceptions, the Eagles picked-off three Kurt Warner passes. Nice to see.
- Reggie Brown is still invisible. I saw him on the field for maybe three snaps.
- Defensive end Chris Clemons has a lightning quick first-step and possesses incredible closing speed. He’s starting to show why the Eagles targeted him as a Free Agent.
- Lito Sheppard continues to have a nightmare season. He was beaten on all three Arizona touchdowns, gave up a 40 yard reception to Larry Fitzgerald, and missed a couple of tackles.
- DeSean Jackson is a keeper. This is hardly a revelation, but this guy’s talent and upside is unlimited.
- Kyle Eckel was two-for-two on third-and-one conversions. Can he do it against the Giants and Redskins? We shall see.
- On the Eagles’ first two touchdown drives they called 16 plays. 11 of those plays were runs.
- Finally, balance on offense. Counting McNabb scrambles, the Birds ran 37 times. They attempted 39 passes. Amazing what a 50/50 ratio can do for an offense.
- No cornerback in the NFL hits harder than Sheldon Brown. His punishing blow on receiver Steve Breaston in the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty. Brown also broke-up a two point conversion pass intended for Fitzgerald. One more thing. He wears the biggest chin-strap I’ve ever seen.
- More special teams mistakes. An illegal block by Quintin Mikell and a muffed punt by DeSean Jackson. To be fair, DeSean thought Jason Avant had touched the ball when he dove for it.
- There was an L.J. Smith sighting. He caught three passes for 32 yards.
- Max Jean-Gilles fractured his right ankle and is out for the season. Ouch!
- Brian Dawkins played his best game since Week 3 vs the Steelers. A forced fumble and an interception.
- Did you see DeSean chest bump Andy Reid? Amusing and disturbing.
Overall, a tremendous performance by the Eagles. I wanted to see this team play with passion and they delivered. Up next, a trip to the Meadowlands to face the mighty Giants. Are the Birds back or was last night’s dominating display an aberration? We’ll find out in ten days.
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