Eagles' defense finally wins one
Eagles 26, Dolphins 10
Eagles' defense finally wins one
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
MIAMI -- In the absence of several lightning strikes, the Eagles’ 26-10 win Sunday over the Dolphins was pretty much the working definition of meaningless as far as the 2011 playoffs are concerned. In a broader sense, though, there will continue to be a debate.
For the Fire Andy people, this was a win/win situation. To go on the road and win a game against a Miami team that had won four games out of five will be viewed as a waste of talent and of opportunity; of course they show up when it doesn’t matter anymore in the standings. Then again, if the Eagles had rolled over and lost, they would have been labeled as quitters. But the thing is, you get to play it both ways if you control the conversation, which the Fire Andy people currently do.
For everyone else, though, there is an ongoing search for something that might suggest that the overall evaluation of this 5-8 team’s talent was not entirely incorrect. To completely implode here would suggest the need for a massive overhaul of the roster. It is why these games do matter.
And, against the Dolphins, what we saw was an Eagles defense that played much closer to its supposed capabilities. On short-yardage, there were a half-dozen plays when the Eagles stuffed Miami running backs for little or no gain. In passing rushing situations, the Eagles recorded nine sacks -- three for Jason Babin, giving him 15 for the season, and three for Trent Cole -- and a safety.
Overall, one Eagles touchdown was the direct result of an interception by Kurt Coleman and a return to the 1-yard line. A field goal came after Asante Samuel -- no, this is not a misprint -- forced a Miami fumble and then recovered it. Another touchdown drive began after Babin sacked Miami quarterback Matt Moore and forced a fumble. And then there was the safety in the fourth quarter. In all, the defense helped to set up 19 of the Eagles' 26 points.
On offense, Michael Vick came back after missing three games with broken ribs and had a pretty quiet afternoon overall: 15-for-30 for 208 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The touchdown was a 34-yard pass to DeSean Jackson, which gave Jackson only his third TD of the season. The running game, too, was quiet. LeSean McCoy did get two touchdowns and he did carry the ball 27 times, but he had only 38 rushing yards.
The Eagles' defense really did win this one.
Defense only looked good because Miami has a lousy offense...plus Jake Long was injured in 1st qrt and QB Moore was hurt in 3rd qtr....so really the Dolphins offense was shot with injuries which really stopped their offense....it wasnt the Eagles Defense that stopped them— frank105- Way to drop down in the draft. For you dreamers, wake up. This team is NOT making the playoffs.— Iron Giant
- well duh... this team isnt going to the playoffs but they just not guna sit there n lay dead now! — VickaDelphia24
- Oh ye of little faith! The Eagles will not only qualify for the Super Bowl, they will WIN the ultimate game, besting the Patriots in a defensively coached and played gem with the offense contributing enough points to win the game. It will be the impeccable ending to a season of absurdities! — omazerati
- This win took the Eagles out of the Griffin/Luck sweepstakes. That means we now have to live with Vick.— 4thand10
- No you don't no one is holding you hostage either. — charmaine
- This crew can't do anything right. They can't even lose when they need to. Welcome to two more years of Andy and Dogkiller. Maybe 2020 will finally be our year.— schnitzelboy
- This could be the year for you if you want it to be, quit watching, no one is holding you hostage. — charmaine
- no one is forcing u 2 b a eagles fan you can choose any other team but u chose the eagles cuz Vick murdered dogs yet i dont see u on the Jets page bashing Plaxico Burress for shootin him self in the knee wow!! — VickaDelphia24
- schnitzelboy, are you really an Eagles fan?— Peter527
- none of these idiots are Eagle Fans — VickaDelphia24
- Vicki,,, you're a dope! not only is schnitzelboy a fan, he's also a realist! going 8-8 will surely bring back Reid and CASTILLO!!!! ugh! What's 2011 + 13! Maybe with Any sticking around for another 13 more years the Eagles will finally make it over the hump in the year 2024! i too am a diehard and i too am a realist! wake up!!!!!! they are not winning the division! they are not going 8-8!!! they will most likely finish 7-9 - and in a SB year or bust,,, this needs to bust the coaching staff that is Andy Reid and Co. so us "idiots" are in fact Eagles fans who have had enough of the Marty's and the novelty that is Juan and the tired old routine of Mr Reid! 13 years later and this team is going BACKWARDS!!!! HELLO BACKWARDS!!!!!!! 10-6 last year,, the best they can do is 8-8,,, that says BACKWARDS!!!!! time for change! if you're happy with Andy then by all means follow him to San Diego where he belongs! get a clue moron! — With all this talent who needs a real defensive coordinator 2011
- glad i missed this game - sounds ugly. meaningless? To fans it is, because there no possibility of getting into the playoffs. For birds mgmt, they can do what they want with whatever was shown in this and the other meaningless games left on the schedule.— chollie
- 8 and 8 and division title still in sight.— mikemaddog
Very pathetic Rich - why don't you just write an article that says you wish the Birds were blown out, Reid got sideswiped on a sideline play and tore his ACL, and that you perceived all players gave up. Oh wait, that didn't happen - which makes your negativity go wanting...
