Eagles Vs Cardinals Review

Thanksgiving is a holiday that, with the vast commercial and marketing appeal of Christmas, is usually overlooked once Halloween is over. Dating back to what is now the Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont bordering states and with the Pilgrims and the Indians sharing feasts together, it has become a tradition of giving thanks and being with your loved ones. It is also a day of football: traditionally, both the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys always host games on this day. But starting a year ago, an idea was given to the NFL to host another game on the NFL Network at 8:00 PM. This year, the Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Arizona Cardinals on this day. And as a person, I am always grateful and thinking of those less fortunate during this time.

But as an Eagles fan, I am thankful for this BIG win.

The Eagles offense returned in powerful fashion, putting on a clinic against the 10th ranked Cardinals defense with a season high 48 points en route to a 48-20 victory over the visiting red birds. The Eagles got stoic efforts from both Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb, a man many fans had started to turn on after the past two games, and the play calling was finally balanced enough to levy power to both the left and the right sides. The defense also broke down potential MVP Kurt Warner with three interceptions, and they did it without pro bowl cornerback Asante Samuel, who was suffering from a neck injury. Joselio Hanson and Lito Sheppard did not miss many beats at all in his absence, and the pressure was non-stop, despite the defense not being able to sack Warner.

Quarterbacks: Knowing that he was under pressure to perform after being benched for the first time in his career, be it high school, college, or pros, McNabb delivered with a timely and well managed offensive attack. And the best part of it was that the offense DID NOT rely solely on him and his arm, unlike the past three weeks. McNabb completed 27 of 39 passes (69.2%) for 260 yards and four touchdowns. McNabb also put his good footwork to use and ran the ball four times for 24 yards, and while the process might not evoke anything from 2002 (the year in which he broke his ankle, came back, and still beat the same team) there is no denying that his mobility has gotten much better this season as it has went along. Kevin Kolb even got into the game later on, to hand the ball off and take two kneel downs under the two minute warning to finish the clock off.
Unit Grade: A (95%)

Running Backs & Fullbacks: Multiple jokes were made up in the booth between radio announcers Merrill Reese and Mike Quick as to what the Eagles did with Westbrook between Sunday and Thursday, if they sent to a spa every day or sent him to a resort (no mention of Tony Romo though). Whatever it was that they did, it worked masterfully, as Westbrook hacked and slashed his way through the line and defenders unlike any one game this year outside the Falcons game, as he picked up 110 yards rushing on 22 carries for a neat five yards an average and two touchdowns. On top of that, Westbrook also caught three passes for 20 yards and two more touchdowns, so overall he had 25 touches for 130 yards and four touchdowns. For the first time since the bye week when we signed him, Kyle Eckel made his Eagles debut and became Correll Buckhalter if you will, as he ran the ball six times for 27 yards, most of which all came in the 4th quarter. What’s strange about the use of Eckel is that he was subbed in at running back despite being a fullback by trade, but another former Patriot was already there in Dan Klecko. Lorenzo Booker, also active for the first time in weeks, ran four times for 21 yards, while DeSean Jackson had one wildcat run for six yards.
Unit Grade: A (95%)

Wide Receivers: Jackson was looked at as a prolific return man, but a very good quality often missed in him is his route running and pass catching skills. This is further evidenced with him being the most consistent receiver on the team week in and week out, logging six receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Both Kevin Curtis and the big man Hank Baskett grabbed five receptions, Curtis going for 59 yards and Baskett for 42 yards, while Jason Avant caught four passes for 25 yards and a touchdown as well. Noticeable in production absence was Reggie Brown, who had no catches but was out there for some plays, and noticeable in complete absence was Greg Lewis. Perhaps a lot of this has to do with recent dumb penalties he has committed on special teams over the past three weeks.
Unit Grade: A (95%)

Tight Ends: It’s usually a good day when four receivers get at least four grabs each, that means we are spreading the ball around. But when LJ Smith gets involved, including spinning off the longest offensive play of the game for the Eagles, you KNOW a lot of good things are going on. Smith caught three passes for 32 yards, including one for 25-yards, and Brent Celek had one reception for six yards. Deactivated again was Matt Schobel, a person that I am sure is not on the cheap.
Unit Grade: B+ (88%)

Offensive Line: The line has not looked this good overall since the first game of the year, opening up holes and pass blocking, and it also comes at the expense of a backup center having to be the third right guard on the season. Prior to the half, Max Jean-Gilles was injured and what preliminarily was being called a broken ankle, turned out to be a fractured ankle and torn ligaments in his knee. Not only will this injury sideline MJG for the remainder of the season, but it is an injury he is expected to take up to NINE months to rehab from. For the second half, Nick Cole took over at right guard, and he didn’t miss a beat, knowing the system and played left guard and center for the team. Only one time did the Cardinals get to a running back for a loss, and only one time did they sack McNabb. Only two penalties were levied to the line, a holding call on Jamaal Jackson and false start on Tra Thomas. But 186 yards rushing with a backup center at right guard looks really good to me.
Unit Grade: A+ (98%)

Defensive Line: As stated out front, no one got a sack on Warner, but the line helped to put a lot of pressure on him and force some errant throws in the form of drops and interceptions. Trent Cole, Darren Howard, Juqua Parker, and Mike Patterson all had one tackle each while Howard had a forced fumble the Cardinals recovered, with Cole providing two QB hurries and Howard and Parker one each. The lack of tackles is a direct result of Arizona’s inability to run the ball, or even have a remote interest in such an activity, with a total of ten carries for 25 yards.
Unit Grade: B (85%)

Linebackers: Whether he knows it or not, Stewart Bradley indirectly set the tone for the game. While he only had two tackles, he had the big pass defense that ended up in the hands of Joselio Hanson on the first Cardinals drive of the game. Akeem Jordan had three tackles and a recovered fumble forced from Anquan Boldin from Brian Dawkins, and Chris Gocong had one tackle. And aside from two freak receptions by Leonard Pope and Tim Hightower, coverage was pretty solid.
Unit Grade: B+ (88%)

Secondary: Considering that Warner is a well known gunslinger, being down Samuel was not an ideal situation for the Eagles to be in. But despite that, the unit held the most proficient passer in the NFL to 235 yards, and while he had three touchdowns, he was picked off three times. Quintin Mikell had six tackles to lead the team with an interception while Brian Dawkins had five tackles, a forced fumble to Jordan, and a beautiful center field interception on 4th and one for Arizona. Hanson, the man of the hour on the time clock, had four tackles and the first interception of the game, while Sheldon brown had three tackles, as did Lito Sheppard. Quintin Demps, who also saw extended time on defense, had one tackle there and a couple of spots where he was matched up against both Boldin and Steve Breaston with measurable success against the two.
Unit Grade: A- (90%)

Special Teams: Except for Jackson’s miscalculated error on a punt return, the entire special teams unit was impressive. David Akers kept busy with two field goals kicked and six extra points made for 12 points while Sav Rocca got back to strong punting form, only needed three times averaging 45.7 a kick and 42.7 net with two of them inside the 20. Demps, the only saving grace a week ago from a shutout, had 24 yards an average on four kick returns and Jackson averaged three yards a punt return, mainly due to former Eagle punter Dirk Johnson not being able to tell the side of his foot from his shoe front. Coverage teams were sharp too, holding dynamic return men JJ Arrington to 21 yards a kick return on EIGHT returns, and Breaston to four yards on two punt returns.
Unit Grade - All Facets: A+ (98%)

Coaching: I don’t know how long it has been since I can say this, but I have NO complaints with ANY coach on the team! I thought the defensive improvements in the wake of Samuel’s injury were stellar, and special teams played very well. And on top of that, the balanced play calling from the very first drive was not something I expected. Now Andy, Marty…is it TOO much to ask to consistently do this?
Unit Grade - All Facets: A (95%)

Ripper’s Three Game Balls:
3. Brian Dawkins: Weapon X played brilliantly again with his two turnovers and huge hammering hits on Cardinal receivers.
2. Donovan McNabb: Brilliant all around game from the man many fans were quick to crucify for the team’s failures.
1. Brian Westbrook: I’ve said it before and will say it again, when you get the man the ball, at 75% he is better then many backs are at 100%.
Honorable Mention: Joselio Hanson and Quintin Mikell

Numbers and Stats of Interest:
-With his interception in the 4th quarter, Dawkins tied the franchise record for most interceptions in a career with the Eagles. Along with Bill Bradley and Eric Allen, Dawkins now had 34 interceptions all time.
-The Eagles came into the game with an all-time record of 4-0 on Thanksgiving: the win tonight gives them a 5-0 mark all time now.
-Brian Westbrook, with four touchdowns on the game, was one away from breaking the record for most touchdowns in a game by an Eagle.
-David Akers eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark with his second field goal in the fourth quarter of the win. He now has 1,004 career points.
-The Eagles made better then usual in the red zone, entering seven times and walking away with six touchdowns. In addition, from the goal-to-go situations, they were a perfect five of five. Also, third downs were better executed, as the team went 10/14, good for 71%.
-The failure to pick up a sack in the game marks only the second time all year that the Eagles were held without a sack in a game.

Time will tell just how far this win will go to helping our own personal playoff picture. Now with ten days off until the next game at the Meadowlands, some players on the mend can take time to heal up and return for our second match of the year with the Giants on December 7th.