It's often been said of winning efforts in Philly sports as the thrill of victory, and the agony of reading about it the next day.
Maybe that's how Nick Foles and Chip Kelly feel today.
On Sunday the Eagles once again raced out to a big lead, this time against a more formidable opponent, one that had won four consecutive games.
And once again Kelly, Foles and the Birds had to hang on for dear life in another white-knuckle, razor-thin 24-21 victory.
That makes four straight wins with Foles at the helm, and again pulls the Eagles into a tie with the Cowboys atop the NFC East.
So why the bitter taste?
Good question. This one really should not have been this close. But for some reason, Kelly and his hyper offense seems most uncomfortable nursing a lead. He seems unable to adjust to the fact that with that kind of lead, your opponent becomes the clock, not necessarily the team lined up across from you.
After scoring a TD to open the third quarter, the Birds' offense again went to sleep, and left it to the defense to try to hold on for dear life.
They got a couple of breaks from the refs along the way, but they did what they needed to do. So why was it so difficult.
Part of it seems to stem from the fact that a lot of people - myself included - keep rubbing their eyes, somewhat disbelieving that Foles has been able to do what he's done this past month.
This clearly is not the same guy who looked lost against the Cowboys.
Once again yesterday Foles was nearly perfect through that drive to open the second half.
Unfortunately, there was still a lot of football to be played. And Foles and the Eagles didn't do much of anything. They didn't add to the lead, and more importantly, they didn't burn much time off the clock.
Can anyone explain to me why Kelly is not running the ball to utilize the clock more in those situations, or why his offense is snapping the ball with so much time left on the play clock?
OK, so I'm nitpicking.
The truth is I never expected the Eagles to be in this position. I was pretty sure Kelly could turn this team around, but I didn't think he would do it this fast.
And then there is Foles. I have to give him his due. He is playing at an All-Pro level. So why do I still have nagging doubts?v
Yesterday Foles was again lights out in the first half, utilizing his tight ends to burn the Cardinals again and again. Zach Ertz caught two TD passes. Brent Celek added a third. Foles was 21 of 34 for 237 yards and those three touchdowns. More importantly, he once again did not turn the ball over, with a huge assist from a defensive holding call that nullified maybe the worst decision and throw he's made this year, casually tossing a ball up for grabs in the fourth quarter, right into the hands of a Cardinal defender. But the flag wiped out the pick. And still Foles and the Eagles failed to take advantage. They also had a call go against them, with a holding call wiping out an electric DeSean Jackson touchdown return on a punt.
The Eagles now have four games to go, ending with a much-anticipated rematch with the Cowboys in Dallas on the Sunday after Christmas.
But the truth is their path is much tougher than the 'Boys. They face a lineup of the Lions, at Minnesota, back home with the Bears, and then in Dallas.
At some point, the Birds penchant for taking their foot off the throat of an opponent in the second half is going to cost them. For now, maybe we should all just enjoy the ride.
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