Eagles-Bills predictions
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles-Bills predictions
Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari
JEFF MCLANE
Season, 2-2.
If you're the Eagles and Andy Reid you look at the last three games and you say, "We should have/could have won all three games." It's a fair assessment. But they did not, and as Bill Parcells famously said, "You are what your record says you are." By that measure the Eagles are 1-3 and dangerously close to slipping into oblivion. If they lose to the Bills on Sunday you can kiss the playoffs goodbye, not because the Eagles are already mathmatically eliminated, but because, well, they just aren't good. But I don't think the ship will sink this weekend. I sensed a determined team at the NovaCare Complex this week. As much as many people wanted the Eagles to make drastic wholesale changes in personnel, coaching and scheme, they did not. It was the right move at this point. They can beat the Bills as is. It's just not going to look pretty. Buffalo will score points against a defense that can't stop the run for four quarters and one that will be without defensive end Trent Cole. But the Bills defense is as putrid and Michael Vick and company will zoom up and the down the field pretty much as they have all the season. The X factor is whether the Eagles have solved their red zone woes. They lead the NFL with 21 possessions inside the 20, but are 23d in the league after coverting only eight of those drives (38.1 percent) into touchdowns. It says here LeSean McCoy will hit pay dirt a few times, along with a couple of other players, and the Eagles live on -- at least for one more week. Eagles, 31-24.
What goes right: Alex Henery, after two costly fourth quarter field goal flubs last season, strikes back and converts on his first try.
What goes wrong: ... Or continues to go wrong. Nnamdi Asomugha will still struggle with his role in the Eagles' defensive scheme.
JONATHAN TAMARI
Season, 2-2.
I'm more torn about my pick this week than I have been for any previous game. There's a lot to worry about for the Eagles. The Bills can run and score and have an impressive comeback win over the Patriots. The Eagles can't seem to stop anybody, especially when it matters, and that was with Cole and Antonio Dixon in the lineup. Their only win was over the awful Rams. We have no idea if Danny Watkins will actually be better than in the preseason. And, simply, the Eagles just looked horrible the past two weeks. But Reid hasn't survived this long by letting his teams collapse at the first sign of adversity. If the Eagles are going to win this game, it'll have to be on the back of the offense because I don't see the defense suddenly rising up to shut down Buffalo. I've picked the Eagles twice in a row and been burned both times. If they lose again, you can just about write off the season after five weeks. But nothing around here ever happens in such a straight-forward manner. I say the Eagles win a game they have to have and at least prolong the intrigue around this team. Eagles, 33-30.
What goes right: The Eagles find a way to finish their drives, without the run-pass option. (Though after last week's carnage, it really would catch the Bills by surprise if they tried it again).
What goes wrong: Watkins may have studied his playbook like crazy, but doing it in a real game is a different story. He still has some growing pains to work through.
there are too many weak links this year - kicker - O-line - LB and Corners in zone - new DCoordinator - I think the red hot Bills hand the Eagles #4 - sorry to disagree— Tom Man- Eagles keep falling....especially to a high powered offense like the Bills. Philly has no Defense. 1-4 here you come Philly!— MRD
- The bad news: I think the Birds lose this one.
The Good News: I think there's still time to turn things around and make the playoffs... as long as they go into the Bye week with a win next week against Washington.— Dave in Cincy - Hope it isn't a double whammy, The Eagles and Phillies lose. Time to get out the Jack Daniels!— fanup
- i love the eagles but the D is terrible and dont see it getting better soon and the offense in the redzone is terrible as well so i have to say 38-20 bills
- Eagles will be like last year's Cowboys --over-hyped very flawed team that finds ways to lose every game until coach is fired -- since that won't happen til end I see a 1-15 season (seriously ---which team on their schedule does anyone seriously think they're going to beat?)... unlike prior struggling Reid teams that rallied when things were going bad to at least have a decent record, this team has no real leaders and shows zero character --Gore said they all just quit ..expect lots more quitting— warbiscuit
- The only one we want to quit is Andy...He is the talent selector and his LB's, Safeties, DT's and O-line stink.....You cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear......Time to stop the bleeding and move on Jeffery.....Give the new guy the balance of the year to find out what he really has and to start instituting his program...— nuggett
- The Bills are for real, they came back big to beat New England. Final score Bills 29 Eagles 16— farley
- The Bills are for real, they came back big to beat New England. Final score Bills 29 Eagles 16— farley
- I like the Eagles this week if for no other reasons than their talent. . . which will over come the obvious leadership problems.— zajaca
Comment removed.- Vick Runs to the left, Cuts Back, Gets popped, injury timeout. QB to the locker room. Eagles down 7-0. VY gets in the game, offense gets a huge spark. Jackson is lighting it up. Eagles win 31-17. Vince Young Defends dream team the rest of the season, and backs it up...— Reasonabledoubt
- EAGLES WIN THE GAME..............until the 4th quarter. Then lose by 10.— sackvicknow
- Hatred is wide open here today. Eagles win = 41 - 20— Showtime226
- 1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q
eagles 14 10 7 10 = 41
Bills 14 7 10 ? = ?— oldBird - The Bills look like a team that is getting it together....the Eagles, not so much. They are mistake prone, look directionless on offense and defense and generally dispirited during games.I don't know what is wrong but something defininetly is. I can only say that they appear very poorly coached. Is it the end for Andy? Not sure but this teamed needs leadership, and SOON.— JimSeitz
- I like the over.— Penfold18
- 31-27 bills.— bloodymess
- All the haters need to relax. The Bills are due for a letdown. Birds 28-17. The comeback begins now.— athousandgods
- Andy redeems himself, silences critics, Vick is reborn, linebackers surprisingly learn too tackle, Iggles 42 / Bills 17!— EZG1
- >>warbiscuit: Agreed. When will Lurie pull the trigger? Does Howie have the next staff lined up? Reid will kick himself for years over this season--and all the whys & cudda beens.— Smashmouth
- These experts are still picking the Eagles? On the road no less? The Bills will drub that defense today. Vick 400 yards and 3 turnovers. Bills 38 - 17. Thanks Big Red!— JodyMac
