When a season ends like the way it did for the Philadelphia Eagles, the feelings can go from one extreme to the next: the Eagles ended the 2007 football season with a record of 8-8 and on a 3-game winning streak after winning a grudge match over the Dallas Cowboys IN Dallas none the less, and continued on to wins over the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills, but that came only after the conclusion of a 3-game losing streak to the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and a SECOND loss to the New York Giants, the last of which effectively ended the Eagles’ post-season hopes and in one quick motion, sent them from first to worst in the division that they had owned for many years.
So what was the biggest reason that the team didn’t get it done and continue to build on a strong finish to the 2006? Many reasons depending upon who you ask and talk to: some people will point to the fact that the Eagles offense, which managed only two touchdowns in week one, two, four, and six of the season, couldn’t get it done early in the season, costing us some pivotal games which effectively cut us off late in the season. Some people will point to the fact that the play calling of Andy Reid was too lenient towards the pass, which coupled with the recovery of Donovan McNabb from an ACL injury, didn’t help matters at all when he couldn’t run away from defenders like he used to (this was evident in the week four loss to the Giants at the Meadowlands). Of course, the apologists of the offense will also point to the fact that the Eagles secondary did not grab interceptions like they were capable of, and fumble recoveries were scarce as well.
No matter the biggest culprit or circumstances, the bottom line is that, for the 2nd time in three years, the Eagles are out of the playoff picture and again finished in last place in the NFC East. The nice thing about the 3-game winning streak however is that the Eagles have found some solace in the fact that some things picked up during the stretch run in December but the question is just how much can this team take with them into the month of September: their active football quest has ended for nearly nine months.
Coming soon. A position breakdown including grades.
