Archive for November, 2011

In just two short days, the Eagles, fresh off of an underwhelming Monday night performance against Chicago, will face off against the Arizona Cardinals. This is a game that was supposed to be Kevin Kolb’s umm…triumphant (?) return to the Linc, but it appears as if John Skelton will be leading an already anemic Cardinal offense with Kolb likely sidelined by a turf-toe injury. The Arizona offense ranks 22nd in the league in points per game (20.2), 25th in total yards (312.5), 20th in passing yards (216.6) and 26th in rushing yards (95.9). Those stats are certainly not something that [...]

Staff writer Steve Fini looks back at five players who made the difference in Monday night’s loss. Earl Bennett (WR/Chicago) – I stated in my player preview for this game that the problem for the Eagles secondary would be getting off the field on third down, and that Dane Sanzenbacher, the Bears slot receiver, would be the reason. Well, I wasn’t aware that Bennett was going to play like Jerry Rice, but I at least I had the right position. This isn’t the first time a no-name slot receiver has torched the Eagles this season. That is exactly what Bennett [...]

Editor’s Note: Staff writer Steve Fini breaks down some key factors in tonight’s Eagles-Bears game. When the Eagles have the ball: Chicago plays a strict cover two base defense and rarely moves away from that. Their middle linebacker, Brian Urlacher, is great at getting a deep drop in the middle of the field and reading a quarterback’s eyes. Chicago doesn’t blitz very often and they play a “bend but don’t break” style, forcing teams into making plays in the red zone instead of giving up the big play. Along their defensive line, the Bears have some very good athletes. Julius [...]

We check in with Mike Burzawa, editor of FanSided’s Bears blog Bear Goggles On to give us the word on tonight’s opponent. 1. After struggling in 2009, Matt Forte has really come on for the Bears. What’s made him so effective in Mike Martz’ scheme? Forte suffered through a sophomore slump in 2009, playing with an unreported bum hamstring for much of the season. Ever since, he’s been healthy and better than ever doing his best Marshall Faulk impression in Mike Martz’s offense. He’s been so successful because he’s been involved in the passing game, which has given him the [...]

LOCATION: Lincoln Financial Field DATE/TIME: Monday, November 7, 2011 8:30 EST STATION: ESPN (simulcast on PHL17 in Philadelphia) ANNOUNCERS: Mike Tirico/Ron Jaworski/Jon Gruden SIRIUSXM: 93 (Philadelphia), 92 (Chicago) AUDIO ON THE WEB: TheGameLive.com WEATHER: Clear, lower 50s INJURIES: Eagles: Akeem Jordan (out), Juqua Parker (doubtful) Bears: Gabe Carimi (out) TRENDS/NOTES/STATS: The Eagles have the best record in the NFC during the month of November since 1999 (32-18-1) By finding the end zone tonight, LeSean McCoy will tie Steve Van Buren’s team record of eight consecutive game with a touchdown. When the Eagles limit turnovers they win. When the Eagles have [...]

One of the problems faced by a team that starts the season 1-4 is that in order to rebound it’s going to require some help from other teams. On Sunday, the Eagles received no such help. You might argue it was helpful to the Eagles that the 49ers knocked off Washington. I’d argue that the Redskins are absolutely baked and John Beck plays quarterback for that team, so they can no longer be considered a threat. So let’s move on. Instead, let us take a look at the Eagles’ other NFC foes and breakdown what today’s action means for their [...]

As if Defensive Line coach Jim Washburn needed anymore weapons at his disposal, the Eagles have activated DE Brandon Graham from the Reserve/PUP list. To make room for Graham, they have released OG Kyle DeVan. Graham joins a group that already boasts the likes of Trent Cole, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Juqua Parker, Mike Patterson and Darryl Tapp. This group has finally started firing on all cylinders, wreaking havoc on opposing offenses and putting their secondary in position to create turnovers. The Eagles traded up 11 spots in the 2010 draft in order to take Graham with the 13th overall [...]

Let me begin by saying that I am by no means a delusional Eagles fan who thinks that their team can do no wrong. I also understand that the team has a lot of work to do in order to just make the playoffs, seeing as how they put themselves in a 1-4 hole to start the season. With that being said, I certainly don’t think it’s out of the question to say that the Eagles can win the NFC East, let alone earn a wild-card berth. This season is beginning to remind me a little of the 2003 season. [...]

Everybody, and I mean everybody, is back on the Eagles’ bandwagon–including Meril Hoge.

Editor’s Note: With Monday night’s Bears-Eagles showdown looming just a few days away, we take a look back at what has to be the most memorable matchup between these two teams. Back on New Year’s Eve in 1988 the Bears and Eagles squared off in an NFC Wild Card Game. Though the Eagles were on the road, many felt they possessed a superior roster that could down Chicago. And who knows, maybe that’s all true. But with the Eagles trailing midway through the second quarter, a dense fog rolled over Soldier Field, severely limiting visibility. The game became a farce, [...]

Staff writer Steve Fini breaks down the Week 9 matchup between the Bears and Eagles. Matt Forte (RB/Bears) – After a standout rookie season Forte looked like he was on the brink of becoming one of the best young running backs in the league. But his production soon tailed off and people thought of him as a “one-year wonder”. That perception is quickly changing again, though, as Forte is back and better than ever. Martz has made Forte the centerpiece of his offense, much like Marshall Faulk was for the potents Rams teams at the turn of the century. He’s [...]

Listen. Climbing to the top of the NFC East isn’t exactly like scaling the rocky torrain of Mt. Kilimanjaro. In a division that houses the baffling Philadelphia Eagles and also features dreck such as the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, and yes, even the 5-2 New York Giants, no result should be surprisng at this point. But since dropping to 1-4 and dead last in the NFC East the Eagles have slowly began their climb back to the top of the division they won a year ago. So let’s take a look where things stand after Week 8. 1. New York [...]