Bears maul Eagles
Bears 30, Eagles 24
Bears maul Eagles
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Andy Reid was furious. Referee Scott Green had just cost the Eagles four points because of a roughing the passer call that he had made on defensive end Jason Babin, prolonging an extinguished drive. What should have been a Chicago Bears field goal in the last minute of the first half ended up being a touchdown because of that flag, and Reid was chewing out Green in a way that you rarely see: pointing, gesticulating, the anger shooting from his eyes.
It was a debatable call, to be sure. The hit on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was a little bit late, and that was true enough -- but Babin did appear to be shoved from behind by the Bears’ Chris Spencer. It wasn’t much of a shove, but it also wasn’t much of a hit on Cutler, either. It was a play that the referee might have chosen to ignore in many circumstances. But Green didn’t, and Reid was wild.
Because that is the thing about this Eagles defense -- and Reid has to know it as well as anyone. That is, the margin for error is so small, still.
It is the story of this season, a defense that cannot quite be counted upon. They had come off a good game against the Washington Redskins and a great game against the Dallas Cowboys -- proving, perhaps, that the NFC East really isn’t very good this year. They had played those games, though, and they were beginning to develop a little bit of a swagger, and then they found themselves on the wrong end of a 30-24 score against the Bears at Lincoln Financial Field.
They blew another fourth-quarter lead, allowing the Bears to score 10 unanswered points at the end. It was their fourth blown fourth-quarter lead of the season and their third at home. And when Michael Vick couldn’t pull out the game at the end, the Eagles were left with a 3-5 record and all kinds of issues once again, starting with the fact that they are three games behind the New York Giants in the standings.
They have a run defense that aspires to be adequate. They are using a nickel cornerback, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who was having a really rough game against the Bears. At one point in the fourth quarter, after defensive coordinator Juan Castillo had words with Rodgers-Cromartie, the player stomped off, waving his arm in obvious disgust and needing to be calmed down, first by teammates and then by Reid.
Their game is speed. If their pass rush is not dominating, though, it is not enough. As a result, their games can often have a shootout quality to them. If the game is competitive, they cannot seem to keep a lead secure.
Other than that, things are fine.
Grade the Eagles: Report card
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Season over. Cowboys win was a fluke. We've lost 6 of 7 at the Linc. Time to clean house and start over. PLEASE let Desean Jackson go. Can't win with midgets in the NFL.— DallasEagle- Actually I'd come back next year with same crew minus Castillo. Even though this season is lost, Eagles have the talent to win and Reid should get a shot at putting it together. Crazy part was they stopped the run after first series but got killed by the passing game with Samuel, Asomugha and Cromartie...that's what I don't get. They spent to improve pass coverage and still get beat by passing game. — Eagles1980
Are we 0-12 two weeks after the bye?- I hate this team.— Tech_Triumph
- 4th and 10...in the final drive Maclin FALLS DOWN??? he falls down 3 yards short of the 1st down? Was doing his impression of Ryan Howard in Game 5 NLDS?— wxdavid
- Champion teams win those games. Watching the Giants comeback on Patriots. Eagles season is over. 3-5, as out of it as the Redskins. Eagles were consistently beat on passing game, Cutler was throwing at will and scoring while Eagles had no pass rush, no coverage, no pass rush. Washburn and Castillo had no answers. Mudd's offensive line was weak with constant Rush on Vick. It looked like Eagles receivers were as covered as Bears receivers were open. At least I save $1K by canceling DirecTV and Sunday Ticket for the rest of the season. Don't need them any more this year.— Eagles1980
- After watching the Eagles for the past eight games I can state unequivocally, the Giants are gonna sweep us this year. And I think I can add the Cowboys will, in all likelihood, get their revenge as well. The Redskins? Well, I wouldn't bet against splitting with them as well. The Eagles are through this year and for as many years as Reid continues as head coach. — essell
- 4th time this season the BEAGLES have had a LEAD in the 4th Q and lost... 4 of the 5 losses— wxdavid
- Is there a bigger jinx in Philadelphia sports than Macklin. Four games lost this year when he had a chance to give the Eagles a chance to win - one dropped pass, interception of his hands, one fumble and now falls down short of the first down. Keep him on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. Avant probably thinks its the fans fault.— candidly
- Has Desean Jackson shown up for any games yet this year? If only we could play every other week we might have a chance to win. This season is over. They'll just play out the string now. Juan Castillo is a joke. As is the entire Eagles' defense.— DallasEagle
- amen. Jackson can sulk off into free ageny. — coloradoeagle
- mediocre garbage -- get a new coach— warbiscuit
- 43-years and counting— 5280philly
- Has Michael Vick ever led a game-winning touchdown drive? ever? I remember a whole lot of failed 4th downs, but never a victory...never gonna win with that.— winoneplease
