Eagles barely survive
Eagles 35, Lions 32
Eagles barely survive
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
DETROIT -- Michael Vick won the Eagles a football game. That simple.
You can spin this any way you want. You can say that it takes 53 players on any given Sunday, and that it takes a village to beat the Detroit Lions, and whatever else you want to say -- including that LeSean McCoy and his three touchdown runs were a significant element in the story.
Vick won the game, though.
Down by 10 points in the second quarter, Vick brought the Eagles back to take a 21-17 halftime lead on the way to a 35-32, barely-hanging-on victory at Ford Field. In the end, the Lions made a furious comeback and even recovered an onsides kick in the final 2 minutes, an onsides kick that Eagles rookie Riley Cooper couldn’t catch.
Still, they won -- and it evens their record at 1-1. The other big news of the day is that Kevin Kolb has passed all of his concussion tests, actually participated in the walkthrough on Saturday, and is likely to be back as the Eagles’ starting quarterback next week against Jacksonville. Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley also is likely to be back.
That the pressure just multiplied upon Kolb is as obvious as it is undeniable. Vick was very good against the Lions -- and that’s fully acknowledging that they are, until proven otherwise, still the Lions. Because there now is something else that must be said, and admitted, even if you are a Kolb fan:
That Kolb would have had a hard time winning this one.
The reason is the Eagles’ pass protection -- which is, charitably, disastrous right now. Vick was sacked six times and it could have been a dozen. Time after time, Vick found himself ducking and dodging and having to get out of the way of a launched missile before being able to look downfield for a receiver. There were several big plays in the game that would not have happened had the quarterback not been able to shake off the severe initial pressure. And Kolb isn’t doing that nearly as well as Vick does it.
When Vick did get loose, he was calm and accurate and dynamic. His 53-yard pass to Desean Jackson set up the go-ahead touchdown with 37 seconds left in the second quarter. The best way to describe the throw was...effortless. And there where several others that looked just as silky.
Again, McCoy had an explosive day on the ground. The last time an Eagles player had three rushing touchdowns in a game, the player’s name was Charlie Garner and the year was 1995.
The Eagles’ run defense, which looked awful early, settled in and finished up reasonably, including a fourth-and-1 stop in the fourth quarter and the Eagles leading by 11. (And why the Lions didn’t just kick the field and cut the deficit to eight is beyond me.) Still, the defense gave up two late scores. This isn’t a playoff-caliber defense right now, especially without Bradley in the middle. His return will be less discussed than Kolb’s, but vital nonetheless.
Still, this was Vick’s day. Based on the last 2 weeks, it is understandable why the Eagles kept him around this season after all. It was hard to see what they saw, based upon last season, and you still wonder what might have happened if somebody had knocked them over with an offer.
But Vick is here and Vick is valuable. They were right to keep him.
Next week, with what can officially be classified as being a tough act to follow, we really begin to find out if they were right about the other quarterback.
woooo, we beat the Lions and Kolb starts next week— primo
I just don't understand how Reid can go back to Kolb. With the offensive line we have, Kolb will get killed. He looked terrible last week...with no decision making skills. If the Eagles are going to win at all this year, it has to be with Vick.— Kojack- Bill20 is somewhere weeping uncontrollably.— mlr710
Comment removed.- Better pop more corn...show is just beginning to get good...— Grazman
- Kolb has been cleared to play. Expect a loss.— YouHaveGotToBeKidding
- Kolb will mysteriously have concussion symptoms this week after today— Eaglesfan804
- Comment removed.
- Kojac, it what he's suppose to do, should he do it? That's a decesion where I'm on your side. Finally a positive spin on Vick, people act like they never made a mistake in their life. hope he gets the chance to take them to the super bowl and is the MVP of the Game and of the league.— rayzoe
I don't mind Kolb starting, as long as he doesn't finish!!!- I'm sorry, I got caught up in the Michael Vick emotional win. Kevin is a hottie and he should play, with his All-American boyish good looks!!!
- I with you rayzoe. I am happy for Vick--finally people have something positive to say about the guy!— YouHaveGotToBeKidding
- Oh my....the Eagles beat a lousy team. Lets see when they play a better team in the Division and see what happens. This team still sucks! All you fans are happy now for the win........Won't last long losers!— MRD
- They will put in bonehead Kolb next week and he will mess everything up again. Lets go Jags!— MRD
Michael Vick completely stole the show again today. He should be the Eagles starting QB so long as this keeps working. Plain and simple.
