Ashley Fox blogged during yesterday's Eagles-Raiders game. Here's a sampling.

First quarter

Uh-oh. Maybe this won't be a nothing burger. The Raiders actually look mean, not at all like a team that's participating in a scrimmage. That was how Antonio Pierce viewed the Raiders after the Giants crushed them, 44-7, last week. The criticism seemed to have resonated with the Raiders.

They're getting pressure on Donovan McNabb. Even when they don't sack him, they've got him on the ground.

Not to get ahead of ourselves here, because the Eagles certainly have their hands full with the Raiders, but next week the Eagles could end Jim Zorn's reign in Washington. It's been ugly in the District, with former players ripping Zorn for being vanilla on offense and too one-dimensional. A loss to Kansas City earlier today won't help. After the Eagles, the Redskins have a bye week, which could be an easy way to transition a new coach.

Second quarter

Richard Seymour is punishing King Dunlap. Reminds me of the Giants vs. Winston Justice a couple of years back. Dunlap, the second-year left tackle out of Auburn, is in because Jason Peters got injured early in the game, and he's really got no shot against the veteran Seymour, who has two sacks for 13 yards in the first half. Peters is back on the sideline, and he's been talking with Dunlap. But it could be a long day for him.

Halftime

Against an Oakland Raiders team that has been outscored by 96-16 the last three weeks, the Eagles trail, 10-6. They've looked discombobulated in all three phases of the game. The offensive line has not done a good job keeping Donovan McNabb upright, and he's completed just 12 of 24 passes. The defense has allowed JaMarcus Russell to get some confidence, even though the Birds have intercepted him twice. And David Akers missed one field goal (he connected on two others for the Eagles' six points). Andy Reid used his last time-out with about 41/2 minutes left in the second quarter, so when McNabb went to call one in the final minute, the Eagles got hit with a delay-of-game penalty. Mental mistakes. They're a killer.

Third quarter

Akers had missed just one field goal all season - one of his attempts was blocked by Carolina in Week 1 - but today he has missed two. It's uncharacteristic for Akers. It looked like the snap was low on the first one, a 43-yard attempt that he pushed left. Akers hooked the second miss, a 47-yard attempt, wide right.

Akers is usually money. Both of the misses were in his range. He's better than that. But his team is better than it is showing, too.

Fourth quarter

Three straight three-and-outs for the Eagles. Not good. This game is chugging toward a bad ending for the Birds. I know they're behind, but why not run the ball a little more? When he's had a chance - and he hasn't had many to run the ball - Brian Westbrook has looked good, averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Of the Eagles' 52 plays, only 12 have been runs. Can't imagine we'll see many more, either.

Great teams don't take opponents lightly, no matter the record. Great teams don't give a struggling quarterback life. Great teams don't call time-outs when there are none, don't miss makeable field goals, don't allow their quarterback to be sacked six times, and they certainly don't let a nearly winless opponent win. Even on the road, all the way across the country.

Maybe the Eagles will be great this season. They haven't been today against the Raiders. Under three minutes to play, they can still win. Great teams would.

"The Raiders outplayed us and outcoached us," Andy Reid said after the game. Boy, was he right.

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Contact columnist Ashley Fox at 215-845-5064 or afox@phillynews.com.