Much is made of Andy Reid’s prowess in the game after the bye week. Not that much is said about the week before the Birds go on hiatus. Here’s a hint: They usually struggle.
And for the second week in a row, the Eagles will be facing a rested team coming off their bye week. The Lions needed the break to regroup. After making the playoffs last year and expected to challenge NFC North crown, they have instead stumbled out of the gate with a paltry 1-3 mark.
But they possess just the kind of wide receiver that usually gives the Eagles fits. You can bet Matt Stafford will be looking for Larry Williams, he of the best nickname in pro sports. Yes, ‘Megatron’ will be on the Birds’ radar.
But this game should be decided by the Eagles defensive line, which has been criticized all week for failing to get off the field in that final drive by the Steelers last week and going without a sack of Ben Roethlisberger.
Of course, none of that will matter if Michael Vick insists on turning the ball over. He’s managed to get his interceptions under control, this week it will be the fumble-it is. Vick and LeSean McCoy should provide just enough offense to get a win for the Birds.
The Pick: Make it Eagles 19, Lions 17. The guess here is that it won’t be pretty, but as long as it’s a W, no one really cares.
Last Week: OK, so I didn’t get the exact score. I still had the Steelers getting the win. But the truth is even with his fumbling problems, Vick trotted off the field after giving the Eagles the lead and turning the game over to the defense. The Birds never saw the ball again. I hate being right when I’m picking against the Birds. I don’t feel good about this game, and would not exactly be surprised if the Eagles got beat. They are due for one of those losses to a team everyone expects them to beat. Going into the bye at 3-3 would likely not sit well with Reid or Jeffrey Lurie, given the boss’s edict that another .500 performance this year won’t cut it.
Season Record: The Eagles are now 3-2, while I advance to a dazzling 4-1. The Birds still sit atop the NFC East thanks to their win over the Giants. Their three wins have come by a total of less than five points. Count on them winning another squeaker on Sunday.
Game by Game: Eagles 17, Browns 16 (My Pick: Eagles 27, Browns 13)
Eagles 24, Ravens 23 (My Pick: Eagles 24, Ravens 23 - On the Money!)
Cardinals 27, Eagles 6 (My Pick: Eagles 29, Cardinals 13)
Eagles 19, Giants 17 (My Pick: Eagles 19, Giants 17 - On the Money!)
Steelers 16, Eagles 14 (My Pick: Steelers 24, Eagles 16.)
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