Eagles Vs Seahawks Review

We all know the recent history of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Seattle Seahawks, and it is something that has been a bit of a nuisance for the Eagles and their backup quarterbacks. The reason for that, of course, was in the last meeting in week 13 of the 2007 season when AJ Feeley was filling in for an injured Donovan McNabb, and Feeley got confused and figured Lofa Tatupu was on his team, pitching him three of his four interceptions in a 28-24 loss at home. In 2005 it was even worse then that, as the now dismissed Mike McMahon and Koy Toy Detmer combined to bury us in a 42-0 blasting in 2005 when we were supposed to be honoring the late great Reggie White on a Monday Night game, again in December. And once again, for both the Eagles players and fans alike, the aura had to be over their heads that in recent years, the Seahawks and Mike Holmgren had their number.

The only difference was this time there were no backups to help them out.

Facing the Seahawks for the first time in over four years, Donovan McNabb showed Seattle what a difference it could make with the backups out and the master of the offense in the game, as his numbers helped propel an offense which scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. After this point David Akers came out for a virtual field goal practice session, as the Eagles made one mistake on the first defensive play of the game but struck back with 26 unanswered points to defeat the Seahawks 26-7 at Qwest Field in Seattle to improve to 5-3 on the year and continue on a 3-game winning streak. But the win only further complicates the NFC East picture, however, the Eagles moved into 3rd place going into week ten because at the same time the Eagles were beating the Seahawks, the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 35-14. The Cowboys loss leaves them back a half a game in last place going into their bye week, and the Eagles one whole game behind the Washington Redskins, set to do battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football prior to their week ten bye with Dallas, and two whole games behind the Giants, who they host next Sunday Night on NBC.

Quarterbacks: When McNabb is on, he is really on. As of late, McNabb’s numbers have been stellar and his ability to fight off pressure and still get his passes to his receivers reminds many of 2004 all over again, a certain year where a certain team made it to the Superbowl. Yeah, in MY OPINION anyway, he is looking that good once again. For the game McNabb was 28 of 43 (65%) for 349 yards with two touchdowns and an interception which proved meaningless and a 96 QB rating. His accuracy is especially encouraging, since he started the game going 0-for-6. He also had two carries for six yards including a 1-yard quarterback sneak to convert a 4th and inches situation from the Hawks 35 which led to our second touchdown. If we plan on beating the Giants and pushing our way into the playoffs or even the division title, it is pivotal we keep #5 standing and give him time so he can cut down the opposing secondary. But that’s pretty much elementary, right?
McNabb Grade: A+ (98)

Running Backs: For two straight weeks, we have done what Brian Westbrook wants done. He has stated on many occasions that he would like to run the ball at least 20 times a game, and today he got 20 carries, it is just that he only got 61 yards to go with it. But it seemed as if wherever he went, he couldn’t seem to make anything work at all, in fact no one really could, which is a shame because the week before we had 192 yards against Atlanta. Westbrook also had a three way tie with six receptions for 35 yards, totaling 26 touches for 96 yards. Correll Buckhalter had two carries for two yards and a reception for six yards and Lorenzo Booker had three carries for zero yards, and DeSean Jackson had one receiver end around for three yards. All toll, the team ran the ball 28 times for 72 yards at 2.6 a carry, and the longest run went eight yards, which of course was Brian’s.
Unit Grade: B- (80%)

Wide Receivers: Separate from tight ends this week because of actual tight end production we will start here first. A huge welcome back to Kevin Curtis, who returned to the field a week ago but returned to playmaking this week as he caught six receptions for 83 yards and one was yard shy of picking up his first touchdown of the season. Both Greg Lewis and Jackson caught two passes apiece while Reggie Brown’s lone reception went 22 yards for a touchdown while the lone reception by Hank Baskett was accused by Seattle of not being a catch, a dispute which would soon cost them a timeout and the challenge. As though it seems a different receiver is featured every week, this time Curtis was in the spotlight.
Unit Grade: B+ (88%)

Tight Ends: I figured with LJ Smith out and the fact that the tight end has been invisible anyway that Brent Celek would just be an “after thought starter.” But that was FAR from the case as Celek turned in huge numbers in the league of Jason Witten and Antonio Gates and far and away from anything we are used to. Celek caught six passes for 131 yards and 21.8 yards a catch. What is even better is the fact that Matt Schobel, who hadn’t been active for weeks, was put in as the number two tight end and had two receptions for ten yards. Maybe it is rash, but I really think that, even when Smith comes back, Celek would stay the starter.
Unit Grade: A+ (99%)

Offensive line: First thing is first, and that is to address our newest pass catching threat, you know him previously as Todd Herremans, but NOW he has become “Hands Herremans”! An eligible tackle from 1st and goal on the Hawks one yard line, he caught his first ever touchdown catch to put us up for good at 14-7. That said though, the actual play of the offensive line was average in the running game but pretty good in the pass game, although McNabb was hurried seven times, all by defensive linemen for Seattle and sacked once, although THAT was more his fault due to his dancing at the Hawks 4-yard line. Early on, the line was not able to move the front line of the Seahawks minus Patrick Kearney who was out with a shoulder injury, but by the time they could, the running game was pretty well grounded anyway. Not getting tagged with a penalty was a plus though, and the pass protection was solid for the most part, but they HAVE to start using more of a push between a 360-LB Max Jean-Giles and a 350-LB Jamaal Jackson for the running backs. I know, Shawn is hurt, but come on, Max is even BIGGER then he is!
“Hands Herremans” Grade: A+ (100%)
Pass Blocking Grade: A- (90%)
Run Blocking Grade: C (75%)

Defensive line: Even though the line forced three of the team’s four sacks, it seemed as if they COULD have come away with about six or seven sacks. And as evidenced by them forcing six of the team’s eight quarterback hurries, even WHEN they were not sacking Seneca Wallace, seemed to be in his face all the time. More so Darren Howard, who led all linemen with four QB hurries, three tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for a loss while Broderick Bunkley pulled in three tackles as well. Both Trent Cole and Mike Patterson posted two tackles each, with Cole adding a tackle for a loss and Patterson a tackle for a loss and a quarterback hurry. Chris Clemons, Juqua Parker, and Victor Abiamiri had one tackle each, Parker and Abiamiri posting pass defenses and Clemons a tackle for a loss, a QB hurry, and a sack on the very last play of the game. The three sacks forced only tell a third of the story: another third would be the hurries and pressures, and the other third would be their ability to contain the duo of Maurice Morris and Julius Jones, who were both held to a combined 84 yards between them and as a team they had 86 yards.
Unit Grade: A (95%)

Linebackers: For the past two weeks, the linebackers haven’t been harassed by a tight end and John Carlson and Owen Schmidt, two rookies from the Hawks 2008 class, were held to a combined five catches for 40 yards. Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong both co-led the team with six tackles each while Gaither piled on three tackles for a loss, a sack, and a QB hurry. In fact, he was the first defensive player to post a sack in the fourth quarter for the Eagles. Stewart Bradley had four tackles and looked pretty much as a stand by watching the outside linebackers do their thing, as all three reserve linebackers, Tracy White, Akeem Jordon, and Tank Daniels, all figured in on special teams along with Gaither and Gocong as well.
Unit Grade: B+ (88%)

Secondary: Wallace threw for 169 yards, which is a very good number for the secondary, but then you take their ONLY play which scored a touchdown away from them, Wallace had 79 yards instead! That pass was to Koren Robinson who burned Lito Sheppard, who looked great against the Falcons, to the ground. Quintin Mikell had four tackles with a quarterback hurry and a pass defense as Sheldon Brown, Brian Dawkins, and Sheppard all had two tackles with Brown posting two pass defenses and Dawkins one. Joselio Hanson and Asante Samuel both had one tackle with Samuel posting two pass defenses.
Everyone except Sheppard Grade: A (95%)
Sheppard Grade: DD (For Donkey Douche)

Special Teams: With Akers hitting four field goals on four tries, one would believe that his kicking struggles are under control, and one of them was from his dreaded 40-49 range as well. Sav Rocca kept us in the game early with his masterful punting and as a reward, was really not needed as much from the 2nd quarter on when we finally started scoring points, punting five times and averaging 47 yards a punt, netting 41.4 and putting two inside the twenty. Quintin Demps only saw two kick returns (both in the first) but averaged 31.5 a return and Jackson had ten yards a punt return. The kick coverage team allowed Josh Wilson and Josh Forsett to 24.6 yards a kick return and Forsett to seven yards a kick return while Gocong and White both had two tackles while Sean Considine, Daniels, Jordan, Gaither, and Demps all had one tackle each.
Kicking and Punting Grade: A+ (98%)
Returns and Punt Coverage Grade: B+ (88%)
Kick Coverage Grade: B (83%)

Coaching: For starters, the defense gave up only 233 net yards of offense and forced ELEVEN punts on Seattle, and don’t forget once again, 90 yards on one play. As is, they averaged 4.2 yards per play on offense on 55 plays, but removing the play where Sheppard appeared to be daydreaming about his off-season trade, they averaged 2.6 yards a play, a whopping 1.6 yard difference on one play! So they done well, and the special teams unit work speaks for its self. But once again, I want to talk offense and play calling, and no, I am NOT here to bash it this week. For the record, it was 72 total plays, 44 passes (including one sack) and 28 runs, making it 61-39 pass-run. But it wasn’t just the numbers Donovan had that will allow me to look past this, but also the fact that the offensive line couldn’t get much of a run support push until way later on. This week, the pass happy game plan will be okayed by me (you are SO lucky Andy Reid!)
Defense Grade: A+ (99%)
Special Teams Grade: A (93%)
Offense Grade: B (85%)

Ripper’s Three Game Balls:
3. Darren Howard: Apparently he was nothing more then a name and phantom in figure to Seattle: has proven the people who were Anti-Howard and Pro-McDougle in training camp to look like idiots (innocent whistling).
2. Donovan McNabb: Only smudge was the interception, but he takes a back seat to the shocking superstar of the game.
1. Brent Celek: Breakout game from a tight end was something we didn’t expect: our future starter might be closer then we think he is.
Honorable Mention: “Hands Herremans” and Kevin Curtis

Numbers and Stats of Interest:
-On their opening drive, the Seahawks went 90-yards for a touchdown. On their following 12 drives, they punted 11 times, combining for 143 yards for the final 58:11 of the game. In addition, only three of their 13 drives managed to enter Eagles territory, and their best one, to our 22-yard line, ended when the game did.
-The Eagles posted the most lopsided advantage in time of possession to date this year, holding the ball 37:15 of the 60 minutes and never ceding any advantage to Seattle in any single quarter of the game.
-On the opening three drives for the Eagles, they combined for six yards of offense and no points: on the next 11 drives, they combined for 413 yards, four field goals, two touchdowns, and the only interception of the game.
-Again the red zone offense was merely pedestrian, along with the 3rd down efficiency rating: the red zone offense was 1-of-3 today, with the Herremans touchdown, a field goal, and an interception, and the Eagles, coming in only 39% on 3rd down attempts, went 6-of-16 for 38% once again.
-On the flip side, Seattle never ONE saw our red zone on 12 drives.
-Poor timeout management and penalties spruce hurt Seattle just as much: even though they only had four penalties, two came back to back in the 3rd quarter on a 4th and 10 and then 4th and 15 (a false start on left guard Mike Wahle, and then a delay of game on punter Jon Ryan).

The Eagles going into Sunday Night Football with the Giants with a 5-3 record and a three game winning steak is a huge plus. But I do not believe that the team is going to fare very well if we start off slowly like we have against Atlanta and Seattle. New York is going to bury us if we do that: here is hoping we can play football for a full sixty minutes next week and pull closer to the top of the division.