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Sunday, October 12, 2008
Eagles remain alive
The Eagles arrived in San Francisco injured -- both physically and made a little bit psychologically. They came here with a 2-3 record, without one of the league's best players in Brian Westbrook, without both of their presumed starting wide receivers (Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown), and in the midst of what might be called a crisis of confidence.

They arrived here, got their customary lead, and then kicked it away in spectacular fashion. David Akers had a 54-yard field goal attempt blocked at the end of the first half and the Niners returned it for a touchdown, cutting the Eagles' lead to 17-16. Then San Francisco knifed through the Eagles' defense on the first drive of the third quarter to take the lead.

This was a crisis as the Eagles headed toward their bye week. This was a very, very difficult situation coming together -- overshadowed by the question of if this Eagles team really was any good, and if this Eagles team really did have any heart anymore. It was that serious.

And then they came back. Led by a defense that absolutely smothered the 49ers in the fourth quarter, and by an offense that did just enough, they came back to beat the 49ers, 40-26. Donovan McNabb threw a touchdown pass to tight L.J. Smith to get them close, and then Akers kicked the 38-yard field goal that put them ahead again for good. That Akers had to wait out a replay challenge to see if the field goal really was good -- and it was ridiculously close -- was just par for his rocky 2008 course.

Yes, they are only 3-3 and still trailing by a bunch in the NFC East. Yes, it was only one game. But, given everything, it did feel like more than that.
Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 7:34 PM  Permalink | 51 comments
51
Comments   
Posted 07:39 PM, 10/12/2008
mawg
Reid's play calling is still terrible. Thank god for the D in the second half, they won the game.
Posted 07:50 PM, 10/12/2008
don34
I hope the Eagles go 8-8. Reid is calling plays like he's scared. When they were up 30-26 and couldn't get a couple of yards...it was deja vu all over again. This team gives me more heart attacks than any I can remember. Don aka the guy that just arrived at the hospital with symptoms of heavy breathing
Posted 07:50 PM, 10/12/2008
Wise_Owl
Unfortunately, if the Eagles played a quality team they wouldnt have won. But the good thing is there arent a lot of quality teams. If Andy stays alive, need to look for a new kicker. Seems like every other team has a kicker winning games with 50 plus FG's. We hold our breath for a 30 yarder.
Posted 07:52 PM, 10/12/2008
starman
I didn't go to the sports bar to watch today. Guess the Eagles are trying to regain my confidence in them. But... Bottom line this team is still going 8-8. I keep saying this team is only good enough to fill the seats and sell lots of burgers and dogs. I still belive that.
Posted 07:53 PM, 10/12/2008
Ed_Tilton
Yeah, Yeah, they beat the 49ers, but I'm in Arizona and we just wooped the COWBOYS. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Posted 07:53 PM, 10/12/2008
starman
Hot dogs, hey get your hot dogs, and while you are here watch the game as well. This squad is good enough to sell hotdogs and that is it.
Posted 07:54 PM, 10/12/2008
Theo1980
Buckhalter looked great. Nice to see Cowboys and Skins lose to teams they should beat. We gained a full game on both. We need everyone healthy and I think this offense will be really hard to stop. LJ Smith is terrible.
Comment removed.
Posted 08:01 PM, 10/12/2008
Depressed Eagles Fan
Well atleast our defense can score in the red zone
Posted 08:02 PM, 10/12/2008
swinger18
Reid is a bad game coach. It was a bad call to kick a field goal at the end on 4th and one. you are giving the ball back to sf. You need to get that first down and end the game.
Posted 08:03 PM, 10/12/2008
bornlucky
Seriously? The int was obviously LJ's fault. I appreciate the win, especially on a day when your divisional foes lose. Wondering if the glaring weakness at TE is enough to pull the trigger on a trade to KC?
Posted 08:04 PM, 10/12/2008
allfillyphan
i dont even know how we won that game, that is horrible against a sub par team we got by with our D once again, i guess that shows how good we really are. please andy or joe or somebody get us a real wide reciever.
Posted 08:06 PM, 10/12/2008
catnameddomino
When I see David Akers line up for a long field goal, I think that he has the same chance that I do - basically none. Andy Reid may as well sign me - they can save some money as we know how concerned they are about being under the salary cap.
Posted 08:07 PM, 10/12/2008
starman
Buddy Ryan - Ritchie Kotite - Ray Rhodes - Andy Reid. enough said...
Posted 08:20 PM, 10/12/2008
cuse
What is wrong with you knuckleheads? Didn't you just win a game and the Skins and Cowboys lose? Are you serious? Why do you even follow the Eagles, or are you just brain-damaged? You're causing your own stress with this ranting when you lose and when you win - what a miserable bunch. I'm enjoying the win, apparently I must be the psycho.
Posted 08:22 PM, 10/12/2008
Arctic16
Listen, I agree that some bad calls were made such as not going for it on 4th and 1 when we could have closed the game, but saying "Did you see McNabb pull a McNabb with that int?" is idiotic. He's one of the least intercepted passers in history idiot.
Comment removed.
Posted 08:27 PM, 10/12/2008
Wes501
Ok my 401 is like the Eagles, I just do not want to look at the Game anymore. Send in help. is it possible to replace the head office poeple not the QB nor Andy, you guys are paid to play ball so just do it. Wes from North Philly.
Posted 08:33 PM, 10/12/2008
jbarts
Jeeezzzz...They won - is a crime to enjoy it? It's not like this team is DOA - they lost some close games and they are clearly trying to pull it together and they pulled out a decent win. They are going to get Westy back and Kevin Curtis. I see things starting to turn around for this team.
Posted 08:34 PM, 10/12/2008
Wes501
Time for the Eagles to step up and play ball like they are paid too. how is your 401K? Play ball
Posted 08:35 PM, 10/12/2008
dsoul
to ed if u r in arizona why are you reading philly papers...don't tell me ur from philly moved to arizona and switched t e a m s...quelle dommage
Posted 08:50 PM, 10/12/2008
steverawthar
Why does everybody hang so much on the offense, and talk about how the defense won the game for them? The offense scored 33 points! That should have been enough to beat JT OSullivan's offense any day. The real reason that game got close was bad special teams and a defense that takes long stretches of the game off. It just seems to be so fashionable to blame it all on the offense all the time.
Posted 08:56 PM, 10/12/2008
sydneyismyalias
I'm enjoying the Eagles win. The 1st inning of the Phills game, now that is another story.
Posted 08:59 PM, 10/12/2008
MJPD345
The eagles have no running game. They don't even try.It's like they hate the idea. They will never win the big one without it. I didn't bother watching.All I had to do was look at the stats.Andy Reid is a Pillsbury Dough Boy. He plays soft football.
Posted 09:03 PM, 10/12/2008
Bama
I just want to hear somebody in the Eagles front office admit this is a mediocre team that is just good enought to play with other mediocre teams. It will be no great loss when LJ walks at the end of the year. I guess Andy has to do a better job of putting him in position to make a block or a catch or something.
Posted 09:06 PM, 10/12/2008
jbarts
With some of these guys - the cup isn't just half empty - the freakin' bottom fell out! It suppose its lost on the negadelphians that Donovan just set two team records today!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 09:09 PM, 10/12/2008
Dave Clemens
Thanks, cuse. I'm enjoying the win, too. Have to agree, though, that L.J. Smith and David Akers have seen their best days.
Comment removed.
Posted 09:16 PM, 10/12/2008
chucker
Guys: No. 5 is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and he deserves a longer standing O in Canton than Art Monk. That was a landmark win on the road with what he had to work with. At least at Syracuse he had Marvin Harrison and Kevin Johnson, way better than the quasi weapons he's had in your burgh. Check his record; check his passer rating (better than Favre). You've got no idea how well you've had it.
Posted 09:23 PM, 10/12/2008
caseman88
I am also with cuse. This is the only thing I hate about being a Philly fan. If someone just read this comment board, they would think we lost. Even thought there were bad parts about the game remember, we were without our 2 best receivers, our starting RB(who happens to be one of the best in the NFL), and our best offensive lineman. So, of coarse there were things to be frustrated about. I only have 3 concerns, and I dont believe anything will be addressed. Besides that once in a lifetime TD, the tight end position is non-existent(I think Tony Gonzalez was saying he wanted to be traded), we also need a new kicker, Akers is done. And I have now lost confidence in Andy Reid.
Posted 09:26 PM, 10/12/2008
caseman88
PS- Stop killing Donovan. There arent 5 QB's in the NFL I would rather have. He's a great quarterback dealing with a receiving core leading the NFL in dropped passes.
Posted 09:31 PM, 10/12/2008
komplex2005
It doesn't matter. A win is a win. Whether it is by one or 21. They got what everyone wanted.. a win.. Going into the bye week, a few things to consider. 1. Make a trade for a receiver; he will be needed down the stretch. 2. They have a little over a week to get everyone healthy (westbrook, brown, curtis, andrews, etc) 3. Please Andy, stop calling those ridiculous, conservative, predictable plays. You have an excellent offensive coordinater/assistance head coach who produces results. Swallow your pride/ego, step back and be the head coach. 4. When this team is healthy, the rest of the league better watch out.5. Everyone calling for McNabb/Reid to go, you must be out of your mind. Check the stats; McNabb ranks in the top 10 in nfl quarterbacks and andy reid is one of the smartest coaches (maybe not lately) in the league.
Posted 09:40 PM, 10/12/2008
ras#2
You Philly fans are a bunch of losers! I like the Eagles and Phillies but not these loser fans that always blame Andy and some other white guy like the kicker or GM. You're all probably Obama supporters also - another loser!
Posted 09:47 PM, 10/12/2008
Wise_Owl
Cuse, you probably arent a life long eagles fan. Secondly, SKins and Cowboys lost only to tell me the entire league is watered down. Yes, the eagles have a chance but they always have a chance every year and when it comes down to it Andy amd/or McNabb fumble the opportunity. And you non eagles fans that write here, grow up. This is serious eagle discussion.
Comment removed.
Posted 09:50 PM, 10/12/2008
Wise_Owl
You compare the eagles chances of winning the big one with Obama? I will take that! (unfortunately)
Posted 09:53 PM, 10/12/2008
AllDawk_AllTheTime
ras #2, with the dumbest post in the history of posts.. like Donovan is beloved... when Obama is president, perhaps you should move to South Africa.. sounds like your kinda place.
Posted 09:59 PM, 10/12/2008
gordy
Whoa! ras#2 did somebody pee in your beer at your trailer park klan meeting? Take it down a thousand. If somebody is a professional coach and they constantly make the same mistakes they deserve to be called on it, no matter what their shade is. Keep the racism to your meetings
Posted 09:59 PM, 10/12/2008
JeffA
Eagles found a way to win. How do you think the Redskins fans feel after losing to the stinkin' Rams? Or the Cowboys fans losing on a blocked punt after seeing their tying FG attempt blocked 5 mins earlier saved by a Wisenhunt timeout? Hang in there Eagles fans. Let's wait to bury the team when the wins and losses are counted up in January. Till then, enjoy the ride.
Posted 11:02 PM, 10/12/2008
ww2buff
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned that Tony Gonzalez, the great tight end is available. With Smith always injured and the other tight ends not blockers, I wonder if the Eagles will make a serious effort to get Gonzalez. I gladly give a number 1 draft pick and throw in Lito and LJ in order to get this all-pro.
Posted 11:03 PM, 10/12/2008
ww2buff
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned that Tony Gonzalez, the great tight end is available. With Smith always injured and the other tight ends not blockers, I wonder if the Eagles will make a serious effort to get Gonzalez. I gladly give a number 1 draft pick and throw in Lito and LJ in order to get this all-pro.
Posted 11:03 PM, 10/12/2008
ww2buff
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned that Tony Gonzalez, the great tight end is available. With Smith always injured and the other tight ends not blockers, I wonder if the Eagles will make a serious effort to get Gonzalez. I gladly give a number 1 draft pick and throw in Lito and LJ in order to get this all-pro.
Posted 11:17 PM, 10/12/2008
BobDeschak
wow a good article, i am bores so I came to this site but all the negative articles coming form philly.com have kept me away
Posted 11:42 PM, 10/12/2008
Dave76
I finally saw some life in the offense.. imagine how running the ball can open things up! I doubt Andy would trade for anyone this year period. I dont think a trade unless you landed Roy Williams would really help this year... I think someone needs to Tell AR that he needs to stop calling plays.. and we need more qb keepers in short yardage.
Posted 12:17 AM, 10/13/2008
hawaiichess
Stop your complaining. What part of they won a road game missing 4 starters on offense did you miss. They will go 3-3 in the division just like almost everyone else. The team that goes 2-4 or worse will not make the playoffs. This is the best division and both wild card teams will come out of the east like most years.
Posted 12:50 AM, 10/13/2008
tbone pickins
Thank god the Eagles won. Otherwise the next two weeks would be even more painful with all the football masterminds here.
Posted 01:00 AM, 10/13/2008
borntosuffer
LJ looks out of it. The interception was a pathetic effort. He got blown up like a child on two blocking assignments that I saw. His TD catch was big and it almmost got away. I wonder how he graded out this week - and who will be defending his performance.
Posted 01:11 AM, 10/13/2008
gilbi
An ugly win beats a pretty loss any day--especially Sunday. When the season is over, and wins are tallied, no one asks "how?"--they only ask "how many?"
Posted 02:38 AM, 10/13/2008
GreenBlooded28
Whats with you guys? We just won on the road without our top player BWest,our number one o lineman.or our top 2 recievers from last year and you are crying about how we didnt dominate??? If they didnt get that lucky B FG at the end of the half we would have blown them out. Last two weeks it was you guys complaining that we cant play in the 4th q now we do and you complain cause we have a bad third. THe Redskins lost to the rams the rams dude(Pacman J reference boy is he samrt) and they were at home and the cards beat Dallas without Boldin in the line up. We are going to comeout of our bye week healthy and finsih strong. I admit we have things to work on like covering tightends but we have so much we are so good at. How'd you like to be a ram. lion or raider fan? WE are lucky we have had a team that has been in contention every year for 10 years since mcnabb was drafted by reid. Oh i Know who you guys are, you are the same guys who boo'd Mcnabb on draft day b/c he wasnt ricky williams. Dumb Dumb Dumb enjoy having a decnet team and pipe down.
Posted 02:59 AM, 10/13/2008
JimG
And people wonder how Jimmy Rollins could dare call Philly fans "front-runners"? Actually, I think a better description would have been "fair-weather". This is the NFL. No wins come easy. Exhibit A - Cowboys vs. Cardinals. Exhibit B - Rams vs. Redskins. If you can win on the road in the NFL without your star RB, without both of your starting WRs and without your All-Pro offensive lineman, then you accomplished something, doesn't matter how you won it. Any attempt to rip McNabb because of 1 interception is lame. The guy has the lowest interception rate of any QB in NFL history. By the way, only 1 team in the entire NFC has a record of better than 4-2 and that's the Giants. So at 3-3, we're 1 game back of the rest of the field. Not an ideal position, but certainly not out of the running.
Posted 12:29 PM, 10/13/2008
Boobirdz
Joe Banner is still the AntiChrist who has Jeff Lurie delusional and has Andy Reid, Donovan MacNabb and Howard Eskin as his acolytes.......
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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.

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