Chip Kelly’s high-speed offense suddenly has turned into the fastest three-and-out machine in the NFL.
For the second straight week, the Eagles offense was sluggish at the start, allowing the Cowboys to break out to a big lead. Even at that, the Birds still clawed back and held a 24-21 lead early in the second half before the roof caved in on them.
After losing two straight at home, the Eagles hit the road to the nation’s capital in a game they simply have to win. The loss to the Cowboys took the Eagles’ fate out of their hands. They now will need help to make the playoffs. The most likely scenario is a win in D.C., followed tomorrow by a loss by the Cowboys to Andrew Luck and the Colts.
The immediate problem for the Eagles will remain the guy standing behind center. Mark Sanchez spent much of last week missing wide-open receivers. The Redskins, while they have struggled mightily, still play pretty good defense. It’s incumbent for the Eagles to get LeSean McCoy and the ground game going early. They do not want to fall behind again and put the game on the right arm of Sanchez. He’s proven so far to be every bit the erratic turnover machine that frustrated the Jets.
One interesting subplot to this game will be Robert Griffin III starting for the Redskins because of injury. He and Jay Gruden likely will not be exchanging Christmas cards. Is there a chance Chip Kelly will be using this game to determine if he wants to take a shot on the often-injured signal-caller who would seem a perfect fit for his offense.
Look for the Eagles offense to sputter again under Sanchez, but they will get another special teams score and survive by the skin of their teeth. Then we all become huge Andrew Luck fans.
The Pick: Make it Eagles 26, Redskins 13. It would be inconceivable that the Eagles could get caught looking ahead. They have to win this game. I think they will.
Season Record: I once again was fooled by the Eagles. I expected them to rebound and play well vs. the Cowboys. Instead, all they showed was that there are some noticeable cracks in the aura surrounding Chip Kelly. Not making the playoffs would be a huge disappointment for a team that could finish 11-5 and still be on the outside looking in at the NFL’s postseason. The loss dropped the Eagles mark to 9-5, while I continued to slide, now sitting at a fairly mediocre 8-6. Of course, in the NFC South, that would make me a world-beater.
Game by Game: Cowboys 38, Eagles 27 (My Pick: Eagles 30, Cowboys 26)
Seahawks 24, Eagles 14 (My Pick: Eagles 24, Seahawks 23)
Eagles 33, Cowboys 10 (My Pick: Cowboys 29, Eagles 26)
Eagles 43, Titans 24 (My Pick: Eagles 34, Titans 23)
Packers 53, Eagles 20, 21 (My Pick: Packers 33, Eagles 24)
Eagles 45, Panthers 21 (My Pick: Eagles 33, Panthers 17)
Eagles 31, Texans 21 (My Pick: Eagles 29, Texans 19)
Cardinals 24, Eagles 20 (My Pick: Eagles 24, Cardinals 23)
Eagles 27, Giants 0 (My Pick: Giants 31, Eagles 26)
Eagles 34, Rams 28 (My Pick: Eagles 35, Rams 19)
49ers 26, Eagles 21 (My Pick: 49ers 33, Eagles 29)
Eagles 34, Jaguars 17 (My Pick: Eagles 31, Jags 16)
Eagles 30, Colts 27 (My Pick: Colts 29, Eagles 23)
Eagles 37, Redskins 34 (My Pick: Eagles 24, Redskins 23)
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