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Sunday, December 7, 2008
Eagles run to a Giant win
The Eagles won a game at the Meadowlands in a way that they never win. They played pristine defense. Because of that, they ran the ball and ran it and then they ran it some more -- more than 40 times overall. And they kept their still-slim playoff hopes alive with  a 20-14 victory over the Giants.

The reaction in town will be universal: where was this all season? They had run the ball so ineffectively for so long this season, and now they have suddenly found the magic. Last week against the Cardinals was dismissed as an anomaly against a weak defense. This week, though, cannot be so easily explained. Because the Eagles, on a windy day, ran the ball persistently if not outrageously well. Brian Westbrook had 30-plus carries and scored twice, once on a 30-yard run and the other on a 40-yard catch and run at the start of the fourth quarter. And at the end, the Eagles ran and ran and ran and held the ball for more than 7 minutes on the fourth-quarter drive that effectively ended the game.

I did not see this coming -- not the win, and certainly not the style of the win. I don't know anybody who mapped it out this way in their head in the days leading up to the game. It came from nowhere, but it happened.

And now the Eagles are 7-5-1 and can begin their scoreboard-watching with a clear conscience.
Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 3:58 PM  Permalink | 50 comments
50
Comments   
Posted 01:41 PM, 12/08/2008
epalmer
I’m a big Eagles fan but the last few years have been pretty much the same. High hopes to nowhere. I’m tired of Andy’s play calling and draft picks. He needs to go along with McNabb’s sometimes he can run and sometimes he can’t. I really don’t think it’s going to get the Eagles a SB win, maybe just another trip there but nothing else. I don’t think we can get any more from number 5. I’m willing to wait a few years while a number 1 draft pick QB learns the game too. Example is Aaron Rogers; he’s doing well and has potential to do better. I don’t see that potential in 5. McNabb may have already given us his best years and is riding a dead horse.
Posted 01:08 PM, 12/08/2008
oldBird
3 more wins....then playoffs with some luck....get rid of #74...who has to be the worst OL pick in Eagles history
Posted 09:14 AM, 12/08/2008
6packjoe
I TOO REMEMBER KUHARIC,KOTITE,MCCORMIC AND ESPECIALLY NORMAN BRAMAN.THE DARK AGES,SO SOME OF YOU DOOMDAYERS MIGHT NEED TO REFLECT ON THOSE YEARS,IF YOU ARE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THAT PAIN. BE CAREFUL FOR WHAT YOU WISH FOR YOU JUST MIGHT GET IT!!
Posted 08:32 AM, 12/08/2008
EL Zorro
Rich, do you still think is not the play calling? And MarioP, Teabo is not even the best quarterback in college right now. How can you say he is going to be an upgrade over McNabb or Kolb?
Posted 06:49 AM, 12/08/2008
joey2times
The Eagles road to the playoffs is really pretty simple...if the Falcons lose next week (they play Tampa Bay), the Eagles control their own destiny...of course that means the Eagles will have to win out...but anything is possible.
Posted 11:32 PM, 12/07/2008
jamesiri
According to my own brilliant analysis, we are only chasing Dallas right now. The falcons and vikings play each other in two weeks, so since they got rid of that stupid NFL tie rule one of them has to lose. Win and we're in since that includes Dallas.
Posted 11:09 PM, 12/07/2008
jb99
i sense a death trap: another late season winning streak. everyone thinks the team is better than it has played. and reid returns. 500 football over four years people. the king is dead. fire andy.
Posted 08:24 PM, 12/07/2008
tommy_the_k
WOW , Here we go again! Can you believe how stubbornly and arrogantly Andy stuck with the running game? And is it my imagination, or did Andy look a little slimmer on the sideline today. Keep this up and HOCUS POCUS, Jeff might be saying "contract extension."
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Posted 08:02 PM, 12/07/2008
justatc1
i love the win- but why now?? really, why now? andy, wouldn't this have worked against cincy? you idiot!!- oh and for the record, rich is an idiot too- if they lose next week, he'll say, " i knew it"- what incompetence!
Posted 07:55 PM, 12/07/2008
shmeds
yeah Ron, that's why several of our sports writers have won many awards including the pulitzer prize, and the daily news sports section has garnered tops in the country. why don't you go get your masters in journalism before you talk out your rear end. part of being a sports writer is having an opinion. something that is lost on all of you conlin, smallwood, hofmann haters.
Posted 07:52 PM, 12/07/2008
Dierte
Falcons and Cowboys lose, Eagles destroy, yes destroyed them physically, the defending Super Bowl Champs on the road. Where are all the haters and doubters now, don't see too many of them now!! Stay away from our team, you are all fair weather fans, go to Dallas or New York please.
Posted 07:50 PM, 12/07/2008
shmeds
eagles2010 your a dope, i'm not even going to argue your points. simply put, if the eagles have tuned reid out they would have gotten crushed today. if not for the blocked field goals this game would have been a 26-7 rout. why don't all of you haters at least wait till the season is over and the results are in before you call for the heads to roll.
Posted 07:50 PM, 12/07/2008
shmeds
eagles2010 your a dope, i'm not even going to argue your points. simply put, if the eagles have tuned reid out they would have gotten crushed today. if not for the blocked field goals this game would have been a 26-7 rout. why don't all of you haters at least wait till the season is over and the results are in before you call for the heads to roll.
Posted 07:03 PM, 12/07/2008
Ron
What the Eagles and Phillies are proving is that Philly sports writers know nothing about sports.
Posted 06:45 PM, 12/07/2008
sarah89
Where have all the G-ant fans gone??????!!!!! Is this an indication that all the problems WILL affect them???? Let's hope so!!!!
Posted 06:40 PM, 12/07/2008
Bob1
They ran the ball. It's simple. Defense and the run game win championships. Reid has hurt himself and the fans for years by ignoring this fact. Let's hope they continue to play this well. If they do it's the playoffs for sure.
Posted 06:40 PM, 12/07/2008
Bob1
They ran the ball. It's simple. Defense and the run game win championships. Reid has hurt himself and the fans for years by ignoring this fact. Let's hope they continue to play this well. If they do it's the playoffs for sure.
Posted 06:37 PM, 12/07/2008
eaglephanatic
This win was fools gold. Fortunately, Westbrook put this team on his back and carried it to victory while the D held their own. Reid and McNabb will return to form. They are too inconsistent, which leaves winning 3 playoff games in a row out of reach. The day those two leave will be the day that the Eagles will be closer to a SB. And what is the use of comparing Reid to losers like Joe Kuharic, Mike McCormack, Buddy Ryan and Richy Kotite? Should we still be happy about being also-rans?
Posted 06:37 PM, 12/07/2008
GHOSTPHAYCE
10-5-1 gets into the playoffs, otherwise the season is over. Nice win, but we need three more in a row
Posted 06:35 PM, 12/07/2008
Lonny
I am wondering about the TV announcers. Asante took away a interception from Dawkins and they totally looked passed it. What a embarrassing play that was. Is he looking to be benched?
Posted 06:30 PM, 12/07/2008
MJPD345
Running the ball certainly has it's advantages doesn't Andy boy ?? Let's go through it. Hmm control the clock, keep the D fresh,keep the other O off the field, opens up play action , wear down the D front 7 so you run the ball some more in the second half... Wow and saying the entire Offense hinges on Westbrook is a cop out.. There's only one Westbrook yes but some big backs and a committment to the ground game sure will help your cause enormously. Ahh next year.
Posted 06:09 PM, 12/07/2008
Gigs1777
Amazing what can happen when you run the ball.....
Posted 06:08 PM, 12/07/2008
joeibt
Great win and fun to watch. However, if I have to watch one more artsy type video of a hot dog wrapper blowing around, i think i'll throw up. IT was windy...we get it!
Posted 06:05 PM, 12/07/2008
nafselgae1
WHAT IN DA WORLD IS EVERYONE TALKIN ABOUT???!!! The Eagles are right in the main ingredients of the playoff race! Thier chances are NOT "slim", they are very very VERY much alive! GEEZ! If Dalls AND Washington both loose {and realisticly that should happen to both the Steelers and Ravens respectively} coupled with Atlants already having lost today, that puts us a half game out of the 2nd wildcard spot with 3 weeks to go! That help we need to get? WELL WE"RE GETTING IT. That's the NFL for you. And we ALMOST got help from Detroit too, DETROIT. All of the teams ahead of us got a ROUGH SCHED LEFT, and a few of them have to play EACH OTHER {CBS Sports.com has them all lay'd out for you to see easily}. That guarantees some of them hurting each others playoff hopes FOR US, THE EAGLES DON"T EVEN HAVE TO DO ALL THE WORK! They just need to take care of their own business with the 3 VERY WINNABLE games they have left. Cleveland {Mon. night here}, Washington {there}, and Dallas {here}. Plus something of a light switch must have gone off in the coaches and players heads these last 2 weeks because they beat 2 solid division leaders bound for the playoffs, IN A ROW. Yeah, I don't know about some of you, but I got my popcorn READY!
Posted 05:54 PM, 12/07/2008
jhnesunshine
marioP, you need to get your head examined. I live in Tebow country and while I agree Tebow is a heck of a leader, he WILL NOT make a good professional QB. His release is too slow. He will get killed as a pro.
Posted 05:44 PM, 12/07/2008
The Blueprint
We just need to care of our last 3 games and we will make it...no way atl doesnt lose another game and thats all we need
Posted 05:42 PM, 12/07/2008
DMC5
great win Birds!! 5 keep running when you can, it makes a big difference!! Another weapon!
Posted 05:37 PM, 12/07/2008
kansaiman
Ironic...as soon as we gave up on them, they start winning. As a fan, and considering how slim their chances of making a playoff are, I am with a mixed feeling if winning here and there is good for the team vs. losing them all and getting a better draft position. Nonetheless, it was great win, especially win over the Giants is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet. GO EAGLES!!
Posted 05:36 PM, 12/07/2008
Mark1npt
McNabb played great! More gopher families looking for a new place to sleep tonight after all thise passes buried into the turf today....what a shame.
Posted 05:29 PM, 12/07/2008
Ken K
The Eagles could have mailed it in today. Instead, they looked like pros. Brian Westbrook goes above and beyond again. He always does.
Posted 05:16 PM, 12/07/2008
The Blueprint
lol at all the dudes coming out now....win lose or draw bleeeeeeeeeeeeeed greeeeeeeeeeen....lets get it
Comment removed.
Posted 04:59 PM, 12/07/2008
marioP
Didn't we see this last season? When the pressure is off the Eagles play good. Trust me, if they get close to having a shot, they will play like they did in Cincy. Let's trade Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb to Detroit for thier first choice in the draft and get Tim Tebow. Now that is what I call an upgrade.
Posted 04:57 PM, 12/07/2008
eagles2010
hwy mebphila, I am far from a cowboy fan, not a chance, just trying to be realistic, hey if u like the way this team is constructed and believe they are good enough 2 win a SB, good 4 u, we just c things different. I meant the 2 picks in the 1st round.
Posted 04:52 PM, 12/07/2008
eagles2010
wat do i c coming, keep mcnabb, he has good yrs left, draft a RB and OL with da two picks in the fourth road, trade litto for a 4th or 5th rd pick, spend the money, I believe they will be 12-17 mil over the cap on a DL who can plug the holes, that is a start, face it the players have tuned reid, out, it just happens, this relationship has run its course, thats all. we all need to stop hoping, hope is not a strategy. Reid is a good coach, I am sure he will be coaching again else where.
Posted 04:51 PM, 12/07/2008
funsoaz
seriously does Andy Reid's brain thaw in December. Every year around this time we look SOOOOOO good.
Posted 04:48 PM, 12/07/2008
mebphila
Eagles2010 - go back to DALLAS you loser...
Posted 04:47 PM, 12/07/2008
what is truth?
I have seldom been so subdued about a win over the Giants. This is what .500 (or thereabouts) teams do - win a couple, lose a couple. I'm glad the Eagles won, but realistically it is too little too late. I wish it were otherwise.
Posted 04:46 PM, 12/07/2008
phillyfan412
Rich, your articles have become un-readable. I mean really, do you ever stop defending Big Red? Is it in your contract or something? They hadn't run the ball so ineffectively all season, they hadn't run the ball all season! There's a big difference between running the ball ineffectively all season, and refusing to run the ball at all. So again, yet another weak attempt by you to cover up the man that is responsible for the team's struggles this year. Let me ask you this: where do you think they'd be right now had they done this all year long?
Posted 04:44 PM, 12/07/2008
cuse
Anyone think the eagles would have won this game with Kolb in there? Just a thought...
Posted 04:34 PM, 12/07/2008
WhatNow
OMGoodness what a day for Eagle fans! McNabb was great and Westbrook ran like the Westbrook of old. Nope still don't want Reid but the only thing I have to say about this win is GO EAGLES!
Comment removed.
Posted 04:32 PM, 12/07/2008
eagles2010
pls people, just look at the record since they played in the Super Bowl. Reid had a very good 10 year run, dont be fooled....again. This era is done, time for a new coach, new approach! The arrogance of the mgmt of this team is unparalled, they have won nothing but they think/believe they are the gold standard of the NFL.
Posted 04:29 PM, 12/07/2008
vc bear
Those of us who remember Joe Kuharic, Mike McCormack, Buddy Ryan, Richy Kotite will the WIP IDIOTS SHUT UP. This long time Iggles fan is having some fun! What a roller coaster ride of a season and beating this Giant's team is a big accomplishment.
Posted 04:28 PM, 12/07/2008
Bill Edelman
On the Christian calendar, this is Advent, Christmas is coming. The season of miracles is upon us. It appears that Big Red wants Santa to but a contract renewal in his (size 14, extra-wide? or is that his hat size?) stocking, so he has embraced the reality that the Eagles have a running game that, with some judicious play-calling—and the offensive line getting sufficient repetitions—works. And that, of course, is the real miracle here...
Posted 04:26 PM, 12/07/2008
Donnie
All the philly people want is for our teams is to be competitive. Beating the Giants is the first step. Time is running out, but hope springs eternal. Go Eagles.
Posted 04:23 PM, 12/07/2008
the_other_craig
Great win, no doubt. Now we just have to hold our breath that it continues for at least three more weeks.
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About Rich Hofmann
Rich Hofmann arrived at the Daily News in 1980 for a job whose status was officially designated as "full-time, temporary." A senior at Penn at the time, he was hired to fill in on the copy desk during a staff illness. The notion of him covering the Eagles or being a columnist did not exist in anyone's imagination. It was supposed to be six weeks and out, but he never left. It is only one of the reasons why so many people have concerns about him as a potential house guest. Rich has blogged the postseasons of the Flyers and Eagles.

You can now follow The Idle Rich on Twitter.
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