Posted: Sunday, December 7, 2008, 4:22 PM | 50 comments |
 

Eagles run to a Giant win
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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 @ 4:22 PM  Permalink | 50 comments
50
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:23 PM, 12/07/2008
    Great win, no doubt. Now we just have to hold our breath that it continues for at least three more weeks.
    — the_other_craig
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:26 PM, 12/07/2008
    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.
    — Donnie
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:28 PM, 12/07/2008
    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...
    — Bill Edelman
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:29 PM, 12/07/2008
    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.
    — vc bear
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:32 PM, 12/07/2008
    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.
    — eagles2010
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:34 PM, 12/07/2008
    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!
    — WhatNow
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:44 PM, 12/07/2008
    Anyone think the eagles would have won this game with Kolb in there? Just a thought...
    — cuse
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:46 PM, 12/07/2008
    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?
    — phillyfan412
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:47 PM, 12/07/2008
    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.
    — what is truth?
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:48 PM, 12/07/2008
    Eagles2010 - go back to DALLAS you loser...
    — mebphila
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:51 PM, 12/07/2008
    seriously does Andy Reid's brain thaw in December. Every year around this time we look SOOOOOO good.
    — funsoaz
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:52 PM, 12/07/2008
    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.
    — eagles2010


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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. E-mail Rich at hofmanr@phillynews.com

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