Eagles blow the bye
Vikings 24, Eagles 14
Eagles blow the bye
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
What junk.
What a blown opportunity.
And what a sobering revelation.
To play a game like the Eagles played last night against the going-nowhere/Joe Webb-quarterbacked Minnesota Vikings was to disparage everything they had accomplished so far in winning the NFC East. It was the kind of game that Andy Reid-coach teams have not tended to play over the years. It was, like many things this season, new ground.
That the 24-14 loss killed their chances of getting a bye in the first round of the playoffs is obvious. That Michael Vick continues to take a physical beating, and has gone through another stretch of subpar play as a result of that beating, is also plain. Those will be the main topics of conversation as the Eagles begin to ponder their post-season fate.
But the defense is the real issue.
No one would say this out loud, to be sure. There is a chance that none of them even thought it. But the task seemed obvious. The Eagles had 2 weeks to prove to us, and maybe to themselves, that their’s can be a championship defense. Two weeks.
Before last night’s trip to the tightrope -- now a weekly occurrence for the Eagles, whatever day is game day -- that was the subtext of Eagles-Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field. It was buried in snow and conversation about the postponement of the game but, beneath everything that had been piled so high and deep, there was this defense and there were the questions that have surrounded it all season, and there was Joe Webb quarterbacking last night and Stephen McGee likely quarterbacking on Sunday for Dallas.
Webb and McGee are lower-echelon quarterbacks. They are the kinds of players who should have been able to give this defense an opportunity to establish something on the eve of the post-season, to build a foundation. They had Jamar Chaney playing well at middle linebacker in place of the injured Stewart Bradley, and they had the just-signed Derrick Burgess dressed for the first time in an attempt to inject some life into the four-man pass rush.
They had options. They had a chance to improve upon a record of allowing more than 24 points per game. And, well, that’s gone.
It’s worse than that, though. There was still a chance to salvage something and give the team a chance to recover from three atrocious quarters -- but that didn’t happen, either.
With 8:23 left in the fourth quarter, with the Vikings holding a 17-14 lead, here was the situation: Vikings ball, third-and-11 on the Eagles’ 47-yard line. This was one of those moments that you underline in your notebook. This is one of the places where you wondered, if the Eagles really hoped to make some kind of noise in January, didn’t their defense have to get a stop.
Webb called signals. The Eagles’ moved frantically on their side of the ball, then called timeout in an obvious attempt to get settled. Coming out of the timeout, with Webb in the shotgun, the Eagles’ strategy became clear: a corner blitz from Webb’s right side, with Joselio Hanson bearing down on the young, unpolished quarterback.
But he didn’t get there. Instead, Webb completed a 19-yard pass over the middle to Percy Harvin, with Chaney not quite there in coverage.
And we all continue to wonder, as we have all season.
On the next play, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson broke a run for 27 yards. On the next play, the Eagles’ defense was penalized for having 12 men on the field. On the next play, the Vikings scored the touchdown that made it 24-14 on a 1-yard run by Peterson.
Underlined in the notebook, then.
Failure, underlined.
And now, the Eagles find themselves in the oddest position. Logic suggests they should rest everybody they can rest on Sunday -- and they probably will do just that. But how can they go into the playoffs with this being the last picture of real football from their starters?
Because, yes, it was that bad.
Sorry, to say this but this is a good thing that has happened tonight. The eagles got caught up in the hype. They need to learn to pick up the blitz and receivers run short quick slants to beat the blitz. I know some were mad that I said the Vikes are a dangerous team to play. When anyone has nothing to lose they throw caution to the wind.— danthony930- I beg to differ, Rich. This loss is classic Reid. They have always had a let-down when they needed to secure something. Regardless of what happens from this point forward they MUST make a change at defensive coordinator. McDermott is overmatched period.— coloradoeagle
- The Eagles will lose to the Packers in the first round of the playoffs at home. The defense isn't good enough to win anything and the offense is slighly overrated (good, but not great).— joeyc444
- When will everyone realize that the problem is Reid. He does not know how to win important games. This guy can not adjust on the fly. Football is about adjustments. If they blitz every play run a slant, a quick screen. did you get the message... Giants showed everyone the blue print. Blitz and continue to blitz. A little league coach knows how to adjust better than Reid. We will bow out again in fashion with all the most potential.— Netsirk
- I thought that by the time I got home the eagles would be winning by too much! Flyers, thought it would to tough, but flat, no. Look like my workers this week except my workers make 9.00 an hour.— NYPHILLYPHAN
- Well the good news is, for all your Kolb loving fans, Vick gets to rest and Kolb would probably start next week with the 2nd and 3rd strings. Give the team some rest. Next week game is meaningless but at least we get to see the BACK UP in action. and I bet if your gambling, Eagles will give Cowboys +7 on the spread. I'll probably take the Cowboys. In it for the $$$— gauwow
- IF ANDY IS GOING TO BE THE HEAD COACH OF THIS TEAM,HE HAS TO GET A NEW OFF CORD AND A NEW DEF CORD. THE BLITZ NEVER GET THERE,PLAYERS OUT OF POSITION AND ON OFFENSE PASS,PASS,PASS. I ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU SLOWED DOWN THE PASS PRESSURE IS BY RUNNING THE BALL. MR LAURIE BEEN WATCHING THEM PLAY SO HE CAN'T BE HAPPY WITH TONIGHT.— bill poore
- eagles will get blown out by the packers in the wild card round. only consolation is that both the giants and dallas won't be in the playoffs.— pbowers
- Its funny how much Reid is crying right now after this loss. "I didn't get my team ready". "My whole offense is off." Gotta love it!They have plenty of time to practice and look whats happens.......they lose they game! I think its funny! Webb played ten times better than dog killer! I say Webb for President!— MRD
- Next week's game against Dallas is now meaningless. Play the second string and give everyone - particularly Vick and Jackson - a much needed rest. This team can still win 3 in a row come playoff time. I will be GB at home, Chicago on the road, and the NO Saints at home for the NFC Championship - after the Saints beat the Rams/Seahawks and upset the Falcons.— TripleOption
- I gotta say one thing, the o-line for the eagles are gonna get mike killed, as long opposing teams are gonna blitz on every play Philly needs to improve its O line, he took too many shots today.— illuminati_86
- Besides the last 7 minutes and change last week, the eagles havent played well for weeks. this isn't a playoff caliber team the way they have been playing.— eaglefan37
- To win in the playoffs a coach needs to make on field adjustments. Reid, Morningwig and McDermott all fail in this critical matter. Reid has had Vick to bail him out. When will Reid bail Vick out?— greenflyer
- For those blaming Vick, remember Brady was in an almost identical situation a couple of weeks ago against Green Bay: Pats up against a reeling defense and an offense with an inexperienced back-up QB. Just like Vick, Brady had four dropped INTs in the game and Brady got sacked a couple of times by BJ Raji. The difference between the Pats and the Eagles?
OTHER PEOPLE STEPPED UP! A lineman ran a kick back 71 yards. The defense circled the wagon. Of course Tom Terrific will be the MVP. He doesn't have to do it all by himself! Belichick is locked in. The Eagles take a time out on defense, allow the first down, a 27 yard run, and have a 12-man on the field penalty before allowing the touchdown. It was still a three point game! Yeah Vick is the best player and Andy Reid looked like Jim Mora Jr. out there!— CapDickComin - This comment has been deleted.— Claudio Vernight
