Just call it the ‘Shady Bowl.’
LeSean McCoy returns to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday with a giant ‘Chip’ on his shoulder. Literally.
McCoy is still holding a grudge after the ugly way the Birds discarded him in exchange for Kiko Alonso last year. He made it clear he has no intention of even shaking Chip Kelly’s hand before the game. Kelly then went the extra yard, offering a fairly heart-felt apology.
That was at the same time he was trying to put out another brush fire, what with DeMarco Murray sounding off about how he was not happy with the way he was used in the Eagles seismic upset of the Patriots in New England last week. Murray used the flight home to bend Eagles’ owner Jeff Lurie’s ear about the way he is - or isn’t - being featured in Chip Kelly’s vaunted system.
This thing could go two ways on Sunday. Maybe McCoy goes nuclear on the Birds, running all over his old stomping ground. Or he easily could be too amped for the grudge match, revert to his old ways of trying to hit a home run on every rush, and play into the Eagles hands.
I think McCoy will get his yards. The key to this game will be two-fold: The Eagles’ defense can’t afford to let anyone else on the Bills beat them. They need to control QB Tyrod Taylor, who is quietly having a very good year.
The real key will be how Sam Bradford handles a very good Buffalo defense. Rex Ryan’s defensive backfield has played very well. Look for Bradford and the Eagles to throw lots of balls underneath the coverage. Bradford will need a huge day from tight ends Zach Ertz and Brent Celek. His outside receivers are scaring anyone.
This could be the day when Bradford emerges as the true leader of this team. Witness his reaction after that crucial third-down toss to Riley Cooper late in the win over the Pats. It was a money throw, with several Pats’ defenders in the QB’s face.
He’ll need to do more of that on Sunday. I say he’s ready to step up.
The Pick: Make it Eagles 26, Bills 17. LeSean will get his, but I think Sam Bradford will be the best player on the field and direct the Birds to a late Caleb Sturgis field goal for the win.
Last Week: Raise your hand if you saw that one coming? Yeah, me nor anyone else either. The Eagles used three return touchdowns (blocked punt, punt return, interception return) to beat the Patriots. After New England posted a 14-0 lead and looked like they might be ready to put the Birds away, Bill Belichick got greedy. His onside drop kick ended up kicking him in the butt. The Eagles used the short field to score, then knotted the game seconds before the half on the blocked punt. They went up 35-14 before having to hang on for dear life at the end.
Season Record: 5-7. Amazing what great special teams and some turnovers can do. No, I didn’t see it coming. But then again neither did anyone else as the Birds shocked the world and pushed their record to 5-7, good enough to be in a tie for first place in the NFC Least.
Game by Game: Falcons 26, Eagles 24. (My Pick: Eagles 37, Falcons 26)
Cowboys 20, Eagles 10 (My Pick: Eagles 31, Cowboys 26)
Eagles 24, Jets 17. (My Pick: Eagles 27, Jets 23)
Redskins 23, Eagles 20. (My Pick: Eagles 26, Redskins 13)
Eagles 39, Saints 17. (My Pick: Eagles 23, Saints 13)
Eagles 27, Giants 7. (My Pick: Eagles 27, Giants 16)
Panthers 27, Eagles 16 (My Pick: Eagles 26, Panthers 23)
Eagles 33, Cowboys 27 OT (My Pick: Eagles 23, Cowboys 13)
Dolphins 20, Eagles 19 (My Pick: Eagles 33, Dolphins 16)
Bucs 45, Eagles 17 (My Pick: Eagles 17, Buccaneers 16)
Lions 45, Eagles 14 (My Pick: Lions 23, Eagles 16)
Eagles 35, Patriots 28 (My Pick: Patriots 33, Eagles 17)
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