Back On Track!

On Sunday the Philadelphia Eagles took it upon themselves to score not one, but TWO touchdowns on heir way to a 23-16 victory over now 2-5 Minnesota Vikings and just like that the Birds have righted the ship and are again on the road to victory. After an early de javu` moment in which the McNabb lead offense was forced to settle for a field goal after driving 72 yards in 10 plays and setting up on a first and goal from the 2-yard line. But the next two drives resulted in touchdowns in goal-to-go situations (6-yard shovel pass from McNabb to Westbrook, 1-yard dive over-the-top by Westbrook) and the offense finished the day 2-for-5 in the red zone, and all five drives yielded points, as David Akers connected on three field goals (20, 27, 25). The Vikings came into the game with the fourth ranked rushing defense, and showed why their front four have been so dominant this season, holding Brian Westbrook to a 2007-low 46 yards on 21 carries, for a very unWestbrook-like 2.2 yards per carry. But the big story of the day was the rejuvenated passing attack. For the only time all season (except for the Homecoming-esque Detroit Lions game) the throwing-and-catching part of the offense contributed to an Eagles victory. Donovan McNabb completed 23 passes on 36 attempts (64% compared to his season average of 58.5%) for 333 yards and one score. Number 5 was in sync with his receivers all afternoon, as Reggie Brown caught a season high 8 balls for 105 yards! Brown, a third-year receiver out of Georgia, came into the game with 17 catches for 214 yards, but displayed the big play ability that helped make last season's offense one of the most dangerous in the league. If McNabb has had a "go-to-guy" this season it has been the Birds' big free agent landing of Kevin Curtis. Curtis continued his steady play Sunday, pitching in with 3 receptions for 76 yards, including an incredible one handed grab in the fourth quarter in which Curtis jumped and literally stole the ball away from a Viking with one arm and managed to keep his feet inside the sideline. Greg Lewis managed not to cost the Eagles the game, and even caught two balls for 63 yards, one of which was a 50-yard strike that lead to an eventual field goal. Lewis also had a chance for a touchdown on a slant thrown somewhat behind him in the endzone. On the play it appeared as if Lewis caught darren Sharper's knee to the collar bone, and Lewis did not return to the game. He is not listed on the early injury report for Sunday Night's showdown against the NFC East leading Dallas Cowboys. Brian Westbrook also helped ourt in the passing game, not only with his 46 yards on 4 catches and a touchdown, but laid some big blocks in pass protection,, allowing McNabb the extra second he has been needing to find a receiver down field. Another good sign was McNabb's mobility. His speed is still not the threat that used to cause sleepless nights for defensive coordinators around the league, but his escapability and allusiveness are continuing to improve, as is Donovan's confidence and willingness to take off down the field when his receivers refuse to beat the coverage. McNabb ran three times for 13 BIG yards, and although those aren't the numbers that break a defense's back, it is a sign of improvement as far as rehab is concerned. Donny also set his feet well and threw the ball to the receivers in a way that allowed them to make plays despite fairly good defensive coverage. In a post-game interview McNabb stated that since the bye week he has been making reat progress in rehabilitating his torn ACL, and if the progress continues McNabb will be in Hawaii once again representing Philadelphia in his sixth Pro Bowl.
The offense finally stepping up was the headline of the day, and righfully so, but the defense again played very well. Vikings Rookie running back Adrian Peterson came into this week eight matchup leading the NFL in rushing yards with 670 yards, and an astounding 6.2 yards per carry. The Birds D held Peterson to 70 yards on 20 carries and kept him out of the endzone. Despite stacking the box to contain Peterson, the Vikings QB-tandem of Kelly Holcomb and Brooks Bollinger (who replaced Holcomb after a sack that esulted in Holcomb landing frighteningly on his head in an incident that could have been a lot worse) combined for only 182 yards passing, and went 14-for-26. After an 11 play, 79 yard drive to start the Vikings day, Minnesota was forced to punt on six of their following nine possessions, and were kept from scoring a touchdown after the opening drive. Trent Cole lead the defense with 8 tackles (7 solo), including 2 sacks. The pair of sacks pushed Cole's season total to a league-leading 9, also a career high. Juqua Thomas added his fourth sack of the season, and Jevon Kears'e only tackle of the game was his third-and-a-half sack of the year (Jevon Kearse 2007 stat-tracker: 7 starts, 11 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, $7.33 million) Sheldon Brown continued his Pro Bowl bid, despite not recording an interception, Brown broke up several passes and recorded 7 tackles. Chris Gocong continued to show signs of understanding how to play linebacker, as he was in on 8 plays and even stopped Peterson in the backfield. Although they have only forced 8 turnovers through 7 games (5 interceptions, 3 fumbles) the defense continues to keep the Eagles in games and keep opposing offenses out of the end zone. If the D begins making big plays to go along with their season full of GOOD plays, they will be able to set this improving offense up with the field position the special teams is unable to provide. This could result in a lot more points, and, in turn, enough victories to gt back into the realistic playoff picture.
And playoffs must be the goal. Scratch that. A championship is the only bench mark for success, but to win the Super Bowl the Eagles must make the playoffs, and for the first time all year, it looks possible. At 3-4 Philadelphia sits in tenth place in the NFC. Of the nine teams ahead of the Birds, five are on the schedule, including two gmes against division/conference leading Dallas. They are beatable. If the Eagles had played with any fire on offense they would have beaten Washington in week 2. The fire (and fire power) seems to have returned. Washington is beatable. Miami is one of, if not the worst team in the league. The 'Phins will struggle to win a game this season, and it certainly will not be against the resurgant Eagles. Miami is a win. New England is not beatable and have the best chance of any team since the historic Dolphins to go undefeated. New England is a loss. Seattle is a .500 caliber team in a poor division. But on any given week Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck can find a way to win, and the matchup of Deion Branch vs. Lito Sheppard brings back horrifying memories. But Seattle is by no means great, and the Eagles will be looking to bounce back. Winnable. Despite giving up 12 sacks to the Giants the Eagles were in the game the whole way. "New York" is quite beatable. After another winnable game in Dallas, The Eagles return to their 2006 house of horrors, the New Orleans Superdome. The Saints struggled early, but have come on of late, winning their last three games, and sitting tie-breaker points ahead of Philadelphia in the NFC standings. This will be a close game, and without Deuce McAllister to break the Eagles' D as he did twice in as many games last season the Eagles have a great chance. The Saints are definetly beatable. This leaves a 1:00 showdown in Philly against Buffalo. The Bills have been playing musical chairs at QB all season and are not very good. But they showed they know how to take advantage of a team looking ahead, as they nearly pulled off a Monday Night upset over the NFC's best, the Dallas Cowboys. Unless by some miracle the Eagles have their spot locked up, or are playing for the #1 draft pick, they will have to play a good game against a bad team. Buffalo is the most beatable team left on the schedule. There you have it. A legitimate chanc to go 8-1 down the stretch and finish 12-4. It is possible. Likely? No. But most certainly possible. These Eagles have played their best ball when backed into a corner over the years, and they are in a corner right now. Here's hoping they fight (FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!) their way out.