Eagles collapse again
Cardinals 21, Eagles 17
Eagles collapse again
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
It was a spectacularly bad game. It was a game so terrible that, sources say, the NFL’s marketing office has already requested every available copy of the film and prepared the kindling for a bonfire.
And it might just have been the end of the Eagles’ season.
It was a day when the Eagles, yes, blew another fourth quarter lead. Because of that, the game was 14-14 in the middle of the final period. Then, Alex Henery kicked a 36-yard field goal with 5:06 remaining to put the Eagles back in front. It followed an interception by Nnamdi Asomugha.
But then the Eagles blew the lead again. Cardinals quarterback John Skelton threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet to put Arizona ahead for good, 21-17, with 1:53 remaining. It was a touchdown set up by a long pass to Larry Fitzgerald -- who had two earlier touchdowns -- a play in which Fitzgerald was inexplicably being covered by safety Jaiquawn Jarrett.
And on their final possession, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was unable to muster the kind of come-from-behind drive that would have redeemed what was, for him, a disappointing day.
So, the Eagles’ record is now 3-6. Their chances of somehow making the playoffs are predicated upon their ability to run the table from here and win their final seven games of the season.
You do the math.
The pre-game headline was that wide receiver DeSean Jackson was inactive because he slept through a meeting on Saturday morning. After the kickoff, the story was all about the offensive ineptitude of both teams. The Cardinals’ problems made sense, given their overall talent level and the fact that Skelton was running things in the absence of Kevin Kolb and his bum toe. The Eagles’ problems made much less sense -- because while Jackson has his explosive moments, no wide receiver alters games that much by himself. Of course, Jeremy Maclin’s in-again/out-again day -- because of shoulder and hamstring injuries -- were also a significant issue.
Continuing a pattern, Vick was erratic and ineffective. He threw two interceptions overall. One was a red zone interception. He had another one called back because of holding penalty that occurred 20 yards away from the interception in the end zone, and had another one overturned by a replay challenge that only took place because the scoreboard operator came up with a definitive replay and then froze it on the Linc’s enormous video screens until Eagles coach Andy Reid finally dropped the red challenge flag.
The final interception, with 34 seconds remaining, on a ball badly overthrown up the left sideline, was the end.
Vote: Eagles report card- Uhh....the redskins are still the redskins of the NFC east.
— bobcitydoc - I disagree, somewhat ... they'll have two # 1 picks this year, so go defense, a middle linebacker is a must, and another lineman, and reboot for next year. Steve Smith looks really bad in this scheme. Is it Andy and Marty or the player, you tell me? The play calling was awful at times. And Vick was all over the place, literally ... not a good showing at all, and a loss was deserved for such sloppy play. They're gong to play down to competition, so plan for a Seattle loss and more ... — petergou
- There needs to be a shake up in this lockerroom! The Eagles were 14 point favorites to beat Arizona and they played like scrubs. The owner needs to consider looking for new coaches along with getting rid of some of these "All about me" players with their absorbant salaries and lack-luster play. Start preparing for next year!— run2jazz2
- Season is O-V-E-R! Glad I am not a season ticket holder. Yikes.— Citizenc92
- Vick failed again. Marty needs to go. DJax needs to grow up. Steve Smith needs to grow a pair. Give Shady the ball!— palmyra21
Comment removed.- Season Over— ralcarbo
- Upgrade your smart phone. That message is way OLD! — BEMiller
- I just watched the post game interview with coach Reid. He's a joke, he acts like he's upset and doesn't answer any questions about anything. He responds to everything with "I have to do a better job" If I told my boss that everytime, i'd be gone already. I have come to the conclusion that we will never win anything with our predictable game plans, poor coaching, and terrible (look at my stats) players. When do OTA's start? I'll skip the draft......— NC Eagle Fan
- you would have thought that Jake Plummer was playing for the cardinals the way they drove down the field and won the game.— franknbeans
- What is it about the Eagles and the Cardinals ? It seems the Cardinals bring out the very worst in the Eagles teams over the years.
A bad omen today might have been that Randal Cunningham was on the pregame show.— candidly - Hey losers, keep telling yourselves there is always next year, or better yet, wait for the phils to start phailing as well...Get lives...or root or PSU...chumps... Such fun to watch year in and year out...But be sure to keep spending your money supporting them...Chumps...— ursad&pathetic
- Castillo has to go. We need a real DC. I hear Jerry Sandusky is available. He's known for working with young guys. What the hell, we signed Vick. Why not?— bff426
- Love when coaches get blamed because players gack it up. — BEMiller
- Hey Rich, how do you like your 100 million dollar player? He was just outplayed by second stringer John Skelton.— mario1239
