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10 observations: Eagles-Redskins

This week's observations from the Eagles' frustrating loss to the Redskins:

Very telling sequence at the end of the first half. The Eagles' offense took over at its own 40-yard line with 1:56 left. Chance to add to their lead and gain some momentum, right? Wrong. Here's the sequence of plays:

Play 1: False start on

sets up 1st-and-15.

Play 2: Incomplete pass intended for

.

Play 3:

runs for no gain.

Play 4:

completes a pass to Westbrook for 7 yards. Penalty on Smith is declined.

Play 5: Punt.

The Redskins' offense took over at its own 18-yard line with 55 seconds left. They drove to the Eagles' 32-yard line and kicked a 50-yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-9, but it felt more like the Birds were down two touchdowns.

Answer the following questions. In the fourth quarter of a close game, how much confidence do you have in the offense to get a score when it has to? And how much confidence do you have in the defense to get off the field when it has to? That should tell you all you need to know about where this team is right now.

When FOX showed

and

in a box at the Linc, one person in our live game chat asked: "Is that Urkel with Mark Wahlberg?" I generally laugh out loud about two-to-three times per chat and that was one of them. I also liked how

and

called out FOX for leading the league in endorsments.

, the movie with Ludacris and Wahlberg, is a Fox film.

Ground control to Major Tom; "You do the math. I'll do the alfredo"; Vivaaaaa Viagra. If you spent as much time as me this weekend watching baseball and football, you know what I'm talking about here.

After last week's game, there was criticism of

for not throwing the challenge flag enough. Rich Hofmann blogged last week, saying

» READ MORE: the Eagles have challenged less

than any other team in the NFL except for the Texans since 1999. So who else was caught off guard when Reid challenged

touchdown pass to

? As soon as the challenge was announced, me and the entire live chat wondered what Reid was doing since it was so clear Randle-El was behind the line of scrimmage when he released the ball. Even Aikman wondered who could have urged Reid to challenge since it was so obvious.

Someone noted last week that opposing kickers never seem to miss against the Eagles so I looked it up, and the reader was right. The streak continues.

went three-for-three, including a 48- and 50-yarder. Opposing kickers are now nine-for-nine against the Eagles this season. Three of those kicks are from 50 yards or more. And six are from 45 yards or more. Incredible.

The optimist says (Note: This was not easy this week):

The pessimist says (Note: This was much easier):

I don't feel fully confident in saying this since I only get to watch three-to-four games per weekend. But is anyone running the football better than the Redskins right now? The Eagles' previously stout run 'D' was pounded for 203 yards on the ground.

The previous week, Washington ran for 161 yards against the Cowboys. Back-to-back weeks on the road against division opponents: 364 total yards rushing. Pretty impressive.

I tried this feature last week and liked it so we'll do it again. Here are the questions that keep coming up in our Eagles chats:

  1. Is it too early to label Lorenzo Booker a bust?

  2. Where has the old David Akers gone?

  3. Who's calling the plays -- Reid or Marty Mornhinweg?

  4. QB sneak. Please. Just once. We're begging you!

  5. How much do the Eagles miss Shawn Andrews?

Sorry, I don't have answers.