Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009, 4:17 PM | 49 comments |
 

A messy W for Eagles
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An Eagles-Redskins game tends to be an untidy bit of business. History seems to demand inelegance when these two teams meet. This one was no different.

But the Eagles won, 27-24.

That’s two in a row. That’s a 7-4 record. I’m not going to pretend to know what it means. I’m not going to pretend to understand starting a game at home in which you are a nine-point favorite with an on-sides kick -- an on-sides that failed, spectacularly, and led to an easy Washington touchdown. I’m not going to pretend to understand how the Eagles’ defense, which was murdered on third down by a Washington team down to its second tight end and its third running back, is going to hold together for the rest of the season.

The only certainty is that Donovan McNabb brought them back from a fourth-quarter deficit for the second straight week, and that David Akers made a 32-yard field goal with 1:52 left to win it, and that the Eagles’ defense held twice in the fourth quarter to preserve it.

Their record identifies them as a team with a chance. Their manner of achieving that record makes you wonder. But the league has never been about style points and it is not now.

A messy 7-4 is still 7-4.
 
Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 4:17 PM  Permalink | 49 comments
49
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:34 PM, 11/29/2009
    Donovan seems to be getting into his usual late-season groove. Came about last year at Thanksgiving, and this year it came a week early. And how big of a beast was Avant on that key 4th quarter drive?
    — moderndaymesh
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:42 PM, 11/29/2009
    Good call, moderndaymesh. Avant was ridiculous! He's becoming a go-to guy.
    — PhillyHouse JayDuce
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:53 PM, 11/29/2009
    How about that Eagles running game! McCoy could be the difference maker in December.
    — George Jacobs
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:59 PM, 11/29/2009
    McNabb stunk most of the game - so did the coaching and play calling on both sides of the ball. I'm not a "hater". I have been a Reid and McNabb supporter for years, but they are too inconsistent. The Redskins offense kept making big 3rd down plays until the end - its time to ask hard questions about our defensive coordinator - are injuries to blame or is McDermott not up to the job? "Messy"? "You betcha."
    — DrBri
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:01 PM, 11/29/2009
    where are all of the McNabb haters.....??? granted it was the depleted 'skins..but it is a "come from behind win" that these hater harp on...G Jacobs I agree. Shady and Weaver will hopefully be the difference. THEY NEED TO RUN WEAVER IN THE RED ZONE... please someone sent this message to Big Red...he is the power runner we have been waiting for...in a FB package but it is what it is....
    — coryreedmiller
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:05 PM, 11/29/2009
    How on Earth has this team won 7 games?
    — Curse of Billy Penn
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:11 PM, 11/29/2009
    I was depressed then quirky as the D held and David won the game. Where was the D for 3.5 quarters? But, the big thing is, will DeJean be OK for the rest of the season?????
    — KGKoons
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:14 PM, 11/29/2009
    typical negative philly fans.......think about it, how many teams would like 2 hav seven wins...dopey fans who post here, i bet 99% never played sports and cant c their waist!!
    — eagles2010
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:19 PM, 11/29/2009
    You know, I guess those of you don't remember the Kotite, Marion Campbell years. This team is the second youngest in the NFL. They will be competing for years to come. This may not be the year with all these injuries, but they will be set for years to come. Several factors will play a part, but they are light years ahead of Wash, Clev, Buff, TB, and many others. Stay optimistic folks, and stop hating!
    — cange30
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:19 PM, 11/29/2009
    Our defense was pathetic on 3rd down today, but came up big in the end. The play calling on offense was, as usual, awful. The running game was doing well, but in the 3rd qtr we called only passing plays. That lead to 3 straight 3 and outs! Win or lose, Andy needs TO GO!
    — Tar Heel 1
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:39 PM, 11/29/2009
    Eagles2010 - "think about it, how many teams would like 2 hav seven wins'. Answer: Any team with a losing record. Question: How many fans are happy with a 34-30-1 record over the last 5 years? Eagles look like a good team at 7-4 to you? By the way, I am 60 y.o. with a 42" chest and a 31" waist. I played and can outplay you in any sport, except field hockey, maybe.
    — DrBri
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:41 PM, 11/29/2009
    There is no such thing as a bad win in the NFL- as for McNabb, I have ripped him all year but he was fine today- Celek was awful. If you make the playoffs in the NFL these days anything can happen.
    — KMG


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About Rich Hofmann
Rich Hofmann arrived at the Daily News in 1980 for a job whose status was officially designated as "full-time, temporary." A senior at Penn at the time, he was hired to fill in on the copy desk during a staff illness. The notion of him covering the Eagles or being a columnist did not exist in anyone's imagination. It was supposed to be six weeks and out, but he never left. It is only one of the reasons why so many people have concerns about him as a potential house guest. Rich has blogged the postseasons of the Flyers and Eagles. E-mail Rich at hofmanr@phillynews.com

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