What We Learned In The Eagles Loss To The Vikings
uDec 15, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; The Philadelphia Eagles defense looks on during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Eagles 48-30. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
After five straight victories, the Eagles finally were brought back to reality in their 48-30 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Luckily for the Eagles, the Cowboys had a complete collapse against the Green Bay Packers to stay atop the NFC East. Here’s what we learned in the Eagles’ loss:
Brought Back To Reality
The Eagles have been playing the “bend, but don’t break” defense to near perfection the for the past month or two, not allowing more than 21 points since the team allowed 52 to Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos.
The Vikings offense certainly isn’t at the same caliber as the Broncos’, but guys were getting open and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel made some nice plays in to pocket. Cassel finished with 382 yards passing. The defense did stop the run pretty well allowing Asiata to 30 carries for only 52 yards, but he did rush for three touchdowns.
Eagles Can’t Continue To Fall Behind Early
Last week the Eagles fell behind early to the Detroit Lions, but came back to win with the help of 28 fourth quarter points. This week, the deficit was too much and the defense couldn’t make the necessary stops to complete the comeback.
Foles attempted 48 passes and McCoy had only eight attempts. Surely coach Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly would like to see those attempts more balanced. 48 attempted passes for Foles is way too many, even if the Vikings had the third worst passing defense.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles has been playing well since tang over the starting role, but Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy is this teams best weapon, and in order to keep him involved in the ground game, this team can’t fall behind by multiple scores early week after week.
If A Team Doesn’t Come Ready To Play, They Are Going To Lose
Due to the fact that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was out, the Vikings had the third worst passing offense, and the Vikings were 3-10, the Eagles underestimated the Vikings and it came back to haunt them.
If a team comes into a game in the NFL not ready to play, they are going to pay for it no matter how lopsided the match-up may be. It certainly looked like the Eagles were looking right past the Vikings and on to the Bears and Cowboys.
The NFC East Will Be Won In Dallas
Had the Eagles beaten the Vikings, they could have clinched the NFC East next week with a win or Cowboys loss. They can still clinch next week but they need to beat the Bears and the Redskins need to beat the Cowboys, which could happen with the way the Cowboys defense has played.
Many have speculated that the week 17 match-up between the Cowboys and Eagles would decide the division and it is certainly setting up that way.
Not getting their business done against the Vikings only made things a little more difficult for this team. They will control their own destiny and if they don’t win the division and make the playoffs they have nobody to blame but themselves.
The Eagles will have a tough match-up next week against the Bears at Lincoln Financial Field, a place where the Eagles have won their past three games. The Eagles will need to solve the problem in the secondary and run the ball well if they want to win next week.