Inside the Eagles: Eagles may lack grit to win

You can call it grit or resilience or just being "clutch," but whatever the term, the Eagles have lacked a critical, intangible winning quality through the first half of their season.

They have beaten soft opponents but withered against the ones who have stood up to them and hit back. As games grow tight, the Eagles fade. They have sputtered with the lead and failed to rally when wins have been within reach. Their stars, often dangerous, have come up short in the biggest moments.

So far, the evidence of the season speaks to a team that is far less than the sum of its talented and well-paid parts.

"If you can't get that talent to mesh or all the heads to work cohesively, then what does talent give you?" asked linebacker Moise Fokou Tuesday. "It's just been a rocky season . . . it's not happening like it has in the past."

Consider:

The 3-5 Eagles have had fourth-quarter leads in seven games, and lost four of them. Meanwhile, the NFC East leading Giants, despite a plague of injuries, have won four games in which they trailed in the fourth quarter and taken another that was tied in the final period. They are 6-2. Do the math.

The Eagles have been outscored 60 to 24 in the fourth quarter. Despite ranking ninth overall in scoring, they have been shut out in the final period in five of their eight games.

Mike Vick has thrown just one touchdown and one interception in fourth quarters. Compare that to the Giants' Eli Manning: 8 scores, two interceptions.

When the Eagles have won this year, their victories have come over the Rams, one of the worst teams in football, the Redskins, who played one of the worst quarterbacks in the league, and the 4-4 Cowboys, who were run off the field early and offered little fight. Those teams' combined record: 8-16.

The Eagles can catch the easy prey, but not the big game. They have lost all five games against foes with winning records.

In a league where parity reigns, even mediocre teams manage to keep most games close, but they falter in the key moments. The Eagles are 1-4 in games decided by seven points or fewer.

Coach Andy Reid said "no" Tuesday when asked if his team is soft. He said his group simply has to cut down on penalties and turnovers.

"I don't feel people are necessarily stopping us," he said. "We're stopping ourselves."

The Eagles have had great success in many statistical categories and have usually won the battle for three quarters, so it seems their talent and schemes are sufficient.

But as the big names rolled in this summer, and we counted the Pro Bowl appearances and dollar signs, no one could measure whether this group had the fortitude that propels successful teams to the tough wins that make a difference in the final standings.

The Eagles' losses since then point to problems with the mix of attitude and fight that separates 7-9 also-rans from 10-6 playoff contenders.

Just look at mistakes by otherwise capable players.

Jeremy Maclin, after gaining 171 yards against the Falcons, dropped a key fourth-down pass. He had 74 yards against the 49ers, but fumbled to kill a final drive.

Jason Avant had 139 yards against Buffalo, but hurt his team with a key fumble and bobble that led to an interception. They are hardly the only ones to blame, but their errors are symbolic of the team's late swoons.

The Eagles' last fourth-quarter comeback win was their stunning victory over the Giants in December. That day the Eagles had a far less talented roster than now, but proved capable of rallying.

Now, with their season again on the brink, the Eagles face another soft opponent, the 2-6 Cardinals. If they win, they then visit the Giants in a game that will either keep the Eagles in contention or render their final six games meaningless.

A road win against the division leader would be impressive. It will also require more guts than this team has shown so far.

Contact staff writer Jonathan Tamari at 215-854-5214, jtamari@phillynews.com or @JonathanTamari on Twitter.