1 week later

So it's been a week since the latest Eagles debacle. We've heard all week what a bunch of losers Reid and McNabb are and people concluding that they will never, ever win a Super Bowl. (Something I decided was the case awhile ago.) But one thing I've heard and read that makes absolutely no sense to me is that this Championship Game loss was the worst one ever. Sorry, there's Tampa Bay and then there's the rest.

The Eagles had home field advantage that year, had repeatedly beaten Tampa Bay in the playoffs and the regular season, it was freezing cold outside which was weather Tampa was 0 for 1,000 in, EVERYONE picked the Eagles to win, and once the game finally started the Eagles scored a touchdown less than a minute in. The rout was on! Then everything imploded. It was a black hole gravity like crushing loss.

This Arizona game I thought they should win but by no means thought that it meant they would win. Seriously, was anyone that shocked by the outcome? It's not like we haven't seen it all before. People picking the game to me seemed split 50-50.

And this loss is supposed to be extra bad because it was the Arizona Cardinals? Like Tampa Bay and St. Louis rank among the grandest NFL teams and Carolina wasn't an expansion team in only its eighth season.

What do you think?

1-5

At least the Bills lost 4 times in the Super Bowl, we're such a bunch of losers we can only manage to lose 4 times in the championship game. It's laughable actually. We can't even be the best losers. So once again another joke team with a joke, fairweather fan base defeats one of our teams. But hey, we got some bonus games and even a bonus half! Yea! But the truth is I expected it and my scar tissue is so thick I barely feel a thing. Nothing can hurt me anymore.

Standout Losers:

• Donovan McNabb - despite a great fantasy game, it was a mediocre game where it counted. Tons of blown opportunities thanks to terrible throws all well documented by Fox and the 93,803,984,902,385th time where he failed in crunch time. This game perfectly encapsulates his entire career. This game is his legacy.
• The entire defense - came up small the entire first half and then came up smallest when the entire season was on the line and let the Cardinals drive the entire field and use up almost 8 minutes to score the winning touchdown.
• The referees - Not that they lost the game for the Eagles, but they blew tons of calls all game including no interference on Avant, called that kickoff out of bounds, and the final non-call interference on Curtis. And these crews are supposed to be the best of the best.
• Quentin Demps - tons of failure and stupid, moronic plays. The worst of all was that cheap hit on Warner that helped give the Cardinals 3 points before the half.
• Greg Lewis - nice huge drop. Please football gods, I never want to see him in an Eagles uniform again. Ever.
• Shakers - nice misses. Nice extra PAT.
• The Eagles fans - for putting hopes in these clowns year after year.

Well, another year I won't be watching the Super Bowl.

As predictable as the the most predictable thing in the world

Favored in another NFC Championship game, and another pathetic loss. Except this time it's not even halftime and it's over.

The NFC Championship game is in Arizona?

1/18 6:30 PM ET	Opening	betED	Logans	5Dimes	SPORTSBETTING
Philadelphia @ Arizona	-3 48	-4 48	-3.5 47	-3 47	-3 47.5

Matchup

BONUS QUESTION: How come I'm not as confident as everyone else seems to be?

Looking Ahead - Kurt Warner

So, will it be a blowout, a nail-biter, or a disappointing loss? By the numbers, even with a big offense, the Cardinals are in the playoffs only because of the terrible division they're in; the Eagles (with a consistent Reid) are actually much stronger than their record, as the math would forecast at least an 11 and 5 season, which is probably conservative, as several close games were flat out mismanaged by Mr. Andy.

The Cards big offense is the key to the game. Warner is the key to shutting that down. Over Warner's career against the Eagles (6 games), Jimmy Johnson has nicely tamed Kurt, the NFCCG of Jan 2002 the one exception where he had a QB rating of 94.5, but where Warner only threw 1 TD. Warner's career rating vs. the Eagles is only 69.3, where he has 7TDs and 9INTs. He's only managed to average 220yds/game and 20pts/game against the Eagles along with probably many sacks (that I didn't count). That would be a big step backwards relative to what the Cardinals have averaged this season - which is less than the Rams of 1999!!!

Warner's most successful game was that NFCCG, where he didn't beat the Eagles, but instead needed a run game to help him out. This year they meet again in the NFCCG, but Warner is without a complementary back that can do the damage Faulk did. Additionally, he's playing against a McNabb with 11 vs. 3 years of experience; he's also working with an ARI defense that isn't what the Rams were in 1999. Unlike Thanksgiving 2008, expect a closer game vs. ARI this time 'round, but don't expect a loss. I wouldn't be surprised to see the score flipped from 2001's NFCCG to 29-24, Birds.

Playoffs? We're talking about the Playoffs???? Unreal! 'Member the Phightins!!! (And try to forget the CIN/BAL games this year!)

I hate NY

Eat it New York. You had a week of rest, Jacobs was healthy, you were at home, no distractions etc., and the Eagles just kicked your ass. Eli is what we thought he was. The defense held those scrubs to 11 lousy points and Manning straight up sucked. If you break it down, the first Giants field goal was set up by the kick-off return, the last field goal came off that interception from the deflection, and the defense scored 2 points from the safety. The Giants offense did NOTHING but put up 3 points on their own. The Eagles defense did EVERYTHING, the Eagles offense did just enough, and Akers made all his attempts. The refs in this game also sucked and were a factor, but the Eagles were able to defeat them as well.

Other notes:

• Nice play by Akers on the opening kick-off. Most kickers have no idea how to take an angle.
• The Giants kicker, Carney, looks like a 60 year old ugly-ass super-villian.
• 2 games, 2 Asante Samuels picks lead to TDs.
• Congrats to Reid for another QB sneak call.
• Westbrook had a terrible game.
• Even though the Giants stopped Westbrook, the Eagles still won.
• Who would have thought the 2 minute drill would be the thing to wake the offense up and give the team momentum?
• How can the refs pick up that interference flag? Oh yeah, they suck.
• Celek had 2 bad drops but redeemed himself with the TD.
• Other players that redeemed themselves during the game: Considine after his block in the back had a big hit on the next punt return and later made a defensive play on third down, Curtis after dropping a bomb made tough catches over the middle converting third downs.
• Unbelievable defensive stops on 4th down, but the offense didn't capitalize.
• Second 4th down the refs gave Jacobs almost a yard he didn't get with the spot.
• Dawkins had another good game. I love how he leads with his helmet all the time but never gets called on it.
• Avant had another good game.
• McNabb wasn't spectacular, but was probably the best individual player on the field.
• Offensive line again didn't surrender a sack.
• One thing the defense did not do was sack Eli either, but they did pretty much control the line of scrimmage when it mattered.
• I hope whoever was running commercials while the 4th quarter was happening gets fired.
• Reid called a good game.

I'll let everyone else fill in the rest in the comments.

Giant hopes

1/04 4:30 PM ET	Opening	betED	Logans	5Dimes	SPORTSBETTING
Philadelphia @ NY Giants	41 -4.5	40.5 -4	40 -4	40 -4	40.5 -4

Matchup

BONUS QUESTION: Will any road team win this weekend?

Runestones to their memory

The Eagles offense wasn't that great this game, but did just enough in crucial situations for the win. It was pretty frustrating in the first half as they failed to convert 3rd and shorts repeatedly and settled for field goals. But in the second half they started converting, made clutch plays to get out of trouble and continue drives, and had the big 71 yard screen play for a TD from Westbrook that was very reminiscent of the screen vs. the Redskins last season.

The defense was once again the strength of the team and the main reason they won. After allowing 14 points and looking a little shaky in the first half they shut down the Vikings in the second. In the first the Vikings converted 6 of 10 third downs, but just 2 of 7 in the second. Peterson only got 83 yards even with the 40 yard run. And the defense also scored a TD.

Special teams also played a big part with Akers nailing all four of his field goals, including 51 yarder "that would have been good from 61." Coverage was good on kicks and Rocca had some nice punts as well. Jackson averaged over 25 yards a return and set up Akers first field goal with a 62 yarder and had another 30 yard return that was squandered.

Overall good team win, but the offense is going to have to play better in the near future.

Other notes:

• Even though the Eagles were ahead 16-14 at the half it felt like they were actually losing.
• Pro-bowler Dawkins was great again this game.
• Pro-bowler Asante Samuels was also really good, and now has 4 interception returns for TDs in the playoffs.
• Loved the Clemens block on Jackson on the return. It was like a choke slam.
• Sheldon Brown was good but should have make that really easy pick.
• McNabb had a really quiet 300 yard game.
• Avant was great and made several really big catches.
• Celek was also really good.
• Congratulations to Reid for continuing to run the ball despite limited success.
• No congratulations for getting Big Play Buck only 2 touches.
• Tavaris Jackson played better than I thought he would, but still sucked.
• Eagles weren't getting the bounces until the ground ball snap that bounced off Jackson's shin right to Juqua Parker that basically ended any Viking hopes.
• Isn't it funny that Dawkins can drill his helmet into Peterson's facemask and bend his neck back and that's fine, but Akeem Jordan isn't allowed to reach up to block a pass and slap the QB in the helmet with his bare hands.
• Should have run that screen play earlier because the Vikings were coming after McNabb on every play.
• Great blocks on that screen by everyone, including Curtis downfield and Jackson who used his speed to run ahead and get in that one guy's way.
• Also nice run by Westbrook.
• Childress blew some calls and time outs and did other Reid-esque stuff. He learned well from the master.
• Giants are a 4.5 point favorite for next week.

Super Bowl?

Top 5 Philadelphia sports moments of 2008

According to me at least.

5. Eagles crush Dallass 44-6 to make the playoffs with help from the Raiders and Texans.
4. Phillies beat the Brewers to advance to the NL Championship Series
3. Flyers beat Montreal to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals
2. Phillies beat the Dodgers to win the NL Pennant
1. Phillies win the World Series



Happy New Year!

Valhöll awaits

1/04 4:30 PM ET	Opening	betED	Logans	5Dimes	SPORTSBETTING
Philadelphia @ Minnesota	42.5 2	42 3.5	42 3	41.5 3	41.5 3

Matchup

BONUS ANALYSIS: As we've seen this season it's not so much which team will show up (although they screw up a bunch too), but which Andy Reid will show up -- the idiot one or the sensible one. What worries me is Reid has the perfect excuse to repeat his insane Bengals and Redskins play calling performances against the Vikings because they have the top rated run defense in the league. But I watched a bunch of the Giants and Vikings game last week and the Giants were able to run the ball for 135 yards without Jacobs, with their backups playing the second half, and with nothing to play for. So the Eagles should also be able to run the ball so I don't want to hear any excuses later.

From the defense we should expect the same effort we've gotten the last couple weeks. The Vikings need big plays to score points and probably won't be able to sustain any long drives. All Minnesota really has is Adrian Peterson. Don't worry about him getting 5 yards here and 7 yards there, worry about him getting 50 yards here and 70 yards there. If you remember back to the regular season game last year, the Eagles limited him to 70 yards on 20 carries and no touchdowns. So Johnson will probably try and do what he did then along with confusing the hell out of Tavaris Jackson, who is hopefully this year's Shawn King.

BONUS QUESTION: Will any home team win on wildcard weekend?

Dallass really sucks

So the rollercoaster ride continues with a great, decisive, crushing 44-6 win over hated Dallass, who sucks. But to be honest, the Eagles really don't deserve to be in the playoffs and should consider themselves the luckiest team in the world. How Tampa Bay lost at home to the Raiders despite being up by 10 points in the 4th quarter is unbelievable, but it happened. The Bears also blew a 10 point lead against Houston. Everything out of the Eagles hands this season went their way. And even when they did their best to blow it, the football gods were there, willing the Eagles into the playoffs. That never happens, but it did. It was even 65 degrees on December 28th so it was an odd, unbelievable day all around.

And then in the actual game, everything also bounced right for the Eagles. Everything. They even got some calls from the refs. Sheldon Brown actually picked one off, Pacman's stupid unnecessary roughing on Brown, the interference call on Newman that probably should have been let go, Pacman Jones strip and Akers turns that into a 50 yarder before half, Romo's fumble bounced on one hop perfectly to Clemons for a TD return, Dawkins strip of Barber stayed in bounds perfectly instead of rolling out, and probably some other stuff I'm forgetting.

It's a Christmas miracle!

Other notes:

• Congratulations to Andy Reid for running TWO STRAIGHT QB sneaks from the 1 yard line and scoring a TD. Who could have ever predicted that would work?
• But I knew this game was really in the bag when Akers actually hit the 50 yarder before half instead of getting it blocked and returned for a TD.
• I thought Aikman jinxed Akers with his cliche comment, "Akers was hitting them from 60 in pregame."
• Big Play Buckhalter got more touches than 2 and look what happens. Who could have predicted?
• How about the free agent signing of Clemons by Reid? It finally paid dividends in game 16.
• I think the Cowboys probably wish Pacman was still in jail or suspended instead of on the field getting burnt, picking up personal fouls, fumbling kick-offs and booting trick plays on kick-offs.
• Stand out Eagles - Buckhalter, Dawkins, Clemons, Celek, Hanson.
• Great game direction by Fox for a change - shots of Romo staggering to his feet like an old man getting out of a chair, shot of the ref throwing the intentional grounding flag in Romo's face, shots of Wade Phillips in shocked disbelief, and lots of shots of Jerry Jones. The only thing missing was shots of a Romo frowny face girlfriend that has become a holiday tradition. Why wasn't Jessica at the game?
• For color commentary there's Aikman and then theres the rest, whatever their names are.
• So does this game finally make the national media shut up about the "greatness" of Tony Romo?
• Why is Westbrook still in the game when it's 44-3?
• Eagles still looked poor running the ball in short yardage at times this game.
• Jeff Laurie should stay in the press box and not immitate Jerry Jones' sideline routine, unless he was doing it to shove it in his face.
• Hi gu-UYS! I didn't actually make this peet-ZAH. It's from Pizza Hut!
• Ha ha Dallass and all your fraud, front running fans. All of you suck.

Watching Minnesota today in an ugly looking, dull, indoor game I think the Eagles can beat them and Tavaris Jackson, but expect the usual 70%-30% pass to run ratio from Reid.

Dallass sucks

12/28 4:15 PM ET	Opening	betED	Logans	5Dimes	SPORTSBETTING
Dallass @ Philadelphia	43 0	42.5 -2	42.5 -1.5	42.5 0	43 -1.5

Matchup

BONUS QUESTION #1: Who will drop more passes this game, franchise player LJ Smith or best free agent available, Asante Samuels?

BONUS QUESTION #2: Who is playing their last game as an Eagle?

Same ol' crap

I really don't have to write anything for this pathetic game, I've already written it all before. Terrible effort, idiotic game plan, horrible offensive balance, lots of drops, bad throws, defense blowing opportunities, etc. etc. etc. And the last play of the game was completely symbolic of the entire season. Reggie Brown catches it at the 1/2 yard line, time expires, Eagles lose. How many times have the Eagles needed 1 lousy yard to win a game this year? Also a bonus, if they had the timeout they blew earlier in the half, they could have had 1 more play. And the best part about this travesty? They still have a chance to make the playoffs so we can suffer 1 more week.

Other notes:

• Here is my list of people that lost this game in order of responsibility:
  1. Andy Reid - 2 starting receivers are out, wind is blowing furiously, it's December, so lets pass 50+ times to 15 runs.
  2. DeSean Jackson - killer drop in the endzone of McNabb's best pass of the season.
  3. Asante Samuels - killer drop on an easy interception because he was probably thinking of his TD celebration instead of catching it first.
  4. McNabb for fumbling the ball because as usual he held it too long and was oblivious to backside pressure.
  5. LJ Smith - bad drops and a killer missed block that could have gotten Westbrook into the endzone or at least the first down.
  6. Idiot Andy Reid, because he passes every play in the 4th quarter but then brilliantly decides to run the shotgun draw at the time in the game where the clock is completely against them. How did that work out?
• Although the defense held Washington to only 10 points, they didn't make any plays and constantly gave up third and longs and surrendered field position.
• Washington's punter, whoever he is, was the player of the game.
• Can you believe the Eagles had their destiny in their hands and then blew it?
• Eagles don't deserve to be in the playoffs.

At least Dallass still sucks.

Should win this must win

12/21 4:15 PM ET	Opening	betED	Logans	5Dimes	SPORTSBETTING
Philadelphia @ Washington	39.5 5.5	38.5 5.5	38.5 5	38.5 4.5	38.5 5

Matchup

BONUS QUESTION: How come it's seemingly not a big deal or a media circus when Clinton Portis rips his coach?

The Cleveland Clowns

The Eagles won 30-10 and beat the spread. Yea! But the Eagles offense from last year and earlier this season returned -- up and down the field until the red zone and then it died, pathetically. When the Browns were still trying (if you could call it that), the Eagles first 6 possessions resulted in 6 trips to the red zone, but only 16 points. Fortunately they were playing the Browns, who really suck and haven't scored an offensive TD since McCain was running for president. So the Eagles were able to cruise to an easy victory, especially after the Browns totally gave up.

Other notes:

• This game was boring.
• Today is the 40th anniversary of throwing snowballs at Santa Claus. Wear it as a badge of honor. Strangely, ESPN, who has a network rule to bring it up whenever the chance presents itself, even during pro bowling broadcasts, overlooked it.
• McNabb was actually great this game but he still can't make the little toss to the flat so a running back can run under it. Oh well.
• DeSean Jackson had a decent game but most impressive was his catch down the seam to the 8 yard line when he got popped good. Not so impressive was his pass interception that followed 3 plays later.
• Why is Reid calling trick plays against the Browns?
• Asante Samuels is an idiot for doing the DeSean Jackson move at the 1 yard line but at least he realized it and grabbed the ball in the endzone. It took ESPN about 10 replays before they noticed it.
• Sure, only 9 seconds were left, but why are you throwing it from the half yard line?
• Good hustle by Westbrook to save the pick six. He made a better effort this time than he did vs. the Ravens where he imitated a kicker trying to tackle. But it still took the better hustle by Baskett and Celek to force McDonald out of bounds.
• Either McDonald or Edwards were the best Browns.
• Bradley seems to have gotten better as the season has progressed and probably had his best game of the year. His hits stood out and he even got an interception.
• Dawkins set the record for most games played by and Eagle (181) and had a good game to go with his achievement.
• Kolb looked totally wasted in that sideline shot or he was falling asleep standing up. Probably explains his performance when he got in the game during garbage time.
• The shotgun draw play to Westbrook is the new quick pass to the wide receiver in the flat of season's past. You'll see it about 3 times a game, the defense knows the play, and it'll lose a yard most times.
• Avant had his best game of the year.
• Took until 2:30 left in the game for a shot of a dude with no shirt in the stands. Although it wasn't really cold so the guy is a poseur.
• I still feel sorry for the Browns.

Will Minnesota beat Atlanta?