The Philadelphia Eagles Must Get Their Offense Clicking
Nov 16, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Josh Huff (11) tips a pass during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 53-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Well the Philadelphia Eagles are not the unstoppable force that manhandled the New York Giants in Week 6, and they are not the pathetic bunch of guys that the Green Bay Packers had their way with in Week 11.
The Eagles are an above-average football team that does not yet have the defensive talent to stop an offense like the Aaron Rodger’s-led Green Bay Packers–especially without their leader, linebacker DeMeco Ryans available to make last-second adjustments. Although, poor defensive play is not entirely to blame. For the second time in his two-year NFL career, Eagle’s head coach Chip Kelly has had to turn to the backup quarterback half-way (roughly) through the season due to injuries.
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Last season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, replacing injured quarterback Michael Vick, appeared to have a strong command of Kelly’s offense from the start in Week 5. Taking over just before halftime against the New York Giants, Foles won the game with 197 yards-passing and 2 passing TDs. The following week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nick Foles dominated with 297 yards-passing, 3 passing TDs, and 1 rushing TD. Then in Week 7, Foles was knocked out of the game against the Dallas Cowboys, but not before completing an abysmal 11 of 29 for 80 yards.
This season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez, took over for an injured Nick Foles against the Houston Texans in Week 9. Sanchez helped win the game with 202 yards-passing, 2 passing TDs, and 2 interceptions. In Week 10 Sanchez and the Birds put a hurtin’ on the Carolina Panthers 45-21. Sanchez threw for 332 yards and 2 TDs. Then, much like Foles in his third game last season, the ceiling caved in on the Eagles against the Packers in Week 11.
28 of the 53 points scored by Green Bay were legitimate passing or rushing touchdowns. The other 25 points were the result of field goals, a punt return touchdown, a fumble return touchdown, and an interception return touchdown. The Eagle’s special teams gets a pass due to their stellar play in Weeks 1-10. However the fumble and interception returns were mainly Sanchez’s fault.
In Week 12 the Philadelphia Eagles host the Tennessee Titans. Coming off such a horrendous loss to the Packers, the Philadelphia Eagles should bounce back against the Titans. There are no “walk in the park” games in the NFL, but the Birds can, and should, win by double-digits. No sense in bickering over the numerous defensive issues the Eagles currently have–we can’t snatch two starting cornerbacks, a strong safety, and a middle linebacker off the waiver wire and expect better production.
The defense will take time to solidify. The Eagles need to win games by basically scoring points on every offensive drive.
The 2014 Eagle’s season is beginning to seem like a repeat of last year’s season. If Chip Kelly can get similar production from Mark Sanchez this season as he did from Nick Foles last season, the Eagles can probably win a playoff game. Unfortunately, the Bird’s lack of defensive playmakers will be exposed against teams that can rack up points.