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.
There is no way you can go back to Kolb unless you just don't care about winning. Even if you think Kolb is the QBOTF, he would get killed with this line.— sbdons1982- Is Andy Reid really the World's Most Stubborn Man?— BooDuhBud
- The Eagle's defense and offensive line sucks!!!!!!! Vick should leave at the end of the season. They had to score 35 points to beat the Detriot Lions and still barely won by 3 points.— joethaplumber
With this O-Line, 7-9 looks like a reality. I hope the Birds have paid Kolbs Blue Cross bill up, he's gonna need it.
Kolb has been cleared to lose next week.- The Jags are the perfect team for Kolb to play against. No pass rush what-so-ever. Vick is gone after the year anyways, so the fanboys should stop crying. The more you start Vick, the more you will see why he never led the Falcons to anything great.— ESFjellin
- Kolb either has his growing pains this year or next year. Does no one understand this? Get it over with. Did you see that defense? is this team going anywhere?— bobbyd24
- They were up comfortably then gave up some late scores. That will be rectified by Bradley coming back.— stewartIV
- McNabb is looking GOOD today also! We had McNabb, we have Vick, and we are stuck with freakin' noodle arm Koln?— sbdons1982
- Reid is going to show you how bad of a coach he is. He will start Kalb next week. He's telling Phila fans to shove it, he calls the shots. Watch— Gold
- I love how people keep saying that Vick didn't lead the Falcons to anything great. Last time I checked, we still didn't have a ring. I don't think we are in the position to talk about anybody or anyone.— YouHaveGotToBeKidding
- Vick was amazing today....flashes of Randall Cunningham. Say what you want about the Lions but they actually have a well coached Defense under Schwartz, that outperformed the Birds D today. There's no way our D should allowed 30 pts. Kolb would have been killed in this game. Vick has earned the starting job. Kolb hasn't proven a thing, other than he beat a lousy KC team from last year. He lacks the intangibles....alot of u know it all's have obviously never played the game. Kolb looks a little weak in my opinion...definitely no signs of a Phillip Rivers or Aaron Rogers.
BTW... did you see Vick spin out of that sack on that blitz coming left side??? WOW!!!!— pointblank - Reid must be doing his sons drugs...Vick is on a roll...short or long we dont know....but Kolb...has NOT shown he should be the starter.— joebill
- The only thing that happened this week is that the Eagles backup QB beat the Lions backup QB by three. The difference is that one team was a playoff team last year and the other was one of the worst teams in the league.— JPCase
- Yay the dog killer won a game against the worst team in the NFL over the past two years. Meanwhile his loyal band of losers and enables continue to root for him. Sad state of affairs when you will root for a dog murdering felon merely because he wears your team's jersey.— Scope33
